Is Danario Alexander the Rams' "Tim Tebow"?

[AvengerRam]

Danario Alexander has become quite the flashpoint for Rams fans. In some ways, it reminds me of the way Tim Tebow has polarized Broncos' fans.

Both players have "great stories" in the eyes of the fans.
Both did some great things in college, and have demonstrated flashes as pros.
Both have also had some failings (Tebow's inaccuracy, DX's drops vs. Seattle).
Both are perceived by some as having high ceilings.
Both are perceived by others as having key weaknesses (Tebow: throwing motion, DX: health).

And, most important, both have extremely (almost shockingly) loyal fan bases who are very vocal about their desire to see their guy receive more playing time.

If one takes a step back, though, neither situation merits the level of controversy that has been generated. Anyone who knows football can tell you that, at least at this stage, Kyle Orton is a better NFL QB than Tim Tebow. Similarly, where it is tough to argue that DX should not be in the rotation, he has not yet demonstrated that he can be one of the Rams' two best WRs on a consistent basis.

All that stated, because of the differences between the QB and the WR positions, it is likely that the DX fan base will get what they want (more playing time for their guy) long beore the Tebowphiles do.

So where do I fall in this equation?

Well... I do see something in DX that I don't see in any other current Rams WR. He is the one guy who has the size/speed/skill to run a simple sideline "go" pattern and truly scare an opposing defense. My hesitation with him is, perhaps surprisingly, unrelated to his health. He has chosen to take the chance of playing with knees that have few "spare parts" and, as long as he's willing to do that, who am I to argue. Instead, my concern is with his performance in the Seattle game last year. His two drops were among the most disappointing plays of the entire year for me.

Weighing it all, I'd like to see him get another shot. But, if he can't make that key catch when he has to, the rest won't matter.

DX does have a great story. He has to step up if that story is going to have a great ending.

[RAMarkable]

"Tebowphiles"...lol..that's pretty funny. Seriously though you do make an excellent point about our boy DX; he has got to make plays when given the opportunity or we can't afford to keep using a roster spot on him.

Also, I agree that his two drops in the Squawk game last year was like a punch to the gut. After those I just had this sinking feeling that it wasn't going to be our night.

WHAT SAY YE?

[r8rh8rmike]

First off, I agree with the notion that DX has to make the big catches. At this point, he is not going to start, or see a great deal of playing time, so he has to get it done when he gets his shots. All the talent in the world means nothing if you can't seal the deal.

That said, while there are some similar circumstances, I don't equate DX with Tebow or his "cult of personality" followers. DX has legitimate NFL skills at his position, I don't think Tebow does. Dx has a great attitude, while Tebow has become somewhat of a looney cry baby. Plus, and I can only speak for myself here, while I admire DX, I certainly don't put him on a pedestal. I think he has some special talents, but he is in no way, shape or form "entitled" to anything other than an opportunity. If he does not take advantage of his chances, I'll have no problems with him being put on the inactive list.

[Tampa_Ram]

Good post. Im a fan of DX and want to see some good out of him, and i think he has a lot of good in him. And being a gator fan, watched tebow his whole college career and although he doesnt have the mechanics and tangibles that most qb's have, i really am rooting for him as well.

I hope for the best for both of them, especially DX. he could be such a stud. we just need to find a terminator and steal his knee and replace DX's with it and the skys the limit. all kidding aside i really hope his knee can hold up.

[Azul e Oro]

I think both players are perceived by some fans as flashpoints/referenda on their respective HCs too much as well. Denver's defense still sucks with or without Tebow at QB & the idea that The Rams lost to Philly because DX wasn't out there is absurd to me.

[ZiaRam]

& the idea that The Rams lost to Philly because DX wasn't out there is absurd to me.

Oh ya? Well If we had Dx playing offense, defense, and special teams we wouldn't have had any problems losing to the Eagles! I expect tonight vs. the Giants DX shall have 7 rec. 128 yds, 1 td, 1 kick return, 1 ff, 5 tackles and a sack.! That's my boy DX!!

[dgr828]

First off, I agree with the notion that DX has to make the big catches. At this point, he is not going to start, or see a great deal of playing time, so he has to get it done when he gets his shots. All the talent in the world means nothing if you can't seal the deal.

That said, while there are some similar circumstances, I don't equate DX with Tebow or his "cult of personality" followers. DX has legitimate NFL skills at his position, I don't think Tebow does. Dx has a great attitude, while Tebow has become somewhat of a looney cry baby. Plus, and I can only speak for myself here, while I admire DX, I certainly don't put him on a pedestal. I think he has some special talents, but he is in no way, shape or form "entitled" to anything other than an opportunity. If he does not take advantage of his chances, I'll have no problems with him being put on the inactive list.

I agree Mike, DX had his chance to display his talents, at the end of the season in Seattle, He didn't have good game under the primetime spotlights. I have no prob seeingh him get the boot, if he can't show up a produce for the Rams when it counts.

[Azul e Oro]

Oh ya? Well If we had Dx playing offense, defense, and special teams we wouldn't have had any problems losing to the Eagles! I expect tonight vs. the Giants DX shall have 7 rec. 128 yds, 1 td, 1 kick return, 1 ff, 5 tackles and a sack.! That's my boy DX!!

Respectable numbers but no INTs, I notice....pssshhhh

ps edit: And what about field goals or at least a friggin' PAT? Ochocinco can kick PATs, DX, what's your problem ?

[r8rh8rmike]

I think both players are perceived by some fans as flashpoints/referenda on their respective HCs too much as well. Denver's defense still sucks with or without Tebow at QB & the idea that The Rams lost to Philly because DX wasn't out there is absurd to me.

That would be absurd to everyone. Did someone actually say they thought the Rams lost to Philly because DX wasn't out there???

[Azul e Oro]

That would be absurd to everyone. Did someone actually say they thought the Rams lost to Philly because DX wasn't out there???

Perhaps not so boldly but I can re-phrase & still feel confident in my basic point; DX has not done enough on the field for his lack of playing time to be considered an argument in support of those who label Spags as too risk-averse or somehow being too stupid not to see him as a no-brainer over Gibson in any given game, & especially not that Philly contest. The success The Falcons had offensively or , more to the point, didn't have with their highly-rgarded WR tandem further refutes the strategic point about a big play specialist being more important than a TE or possession WR or even an STs specialist like Curry. I think ATL threw deep even less than The Rams & certainly had even less success.
Armchair HCs 0 Spags/mcD plan 2,imo.

I also hear a veiled jab at Spags in your own argument that DX should be played because he changes defenses.Even if that's true ( and with all due respect, I think I'll rely on Spags' defensive acumen), why the good DX/Bad DX pattern last year? As soon as he got noticed in one game, defenses easily shut him down in the next without any side benefits for the underneath pass game or run game. Gibson, Amendola, and SJ just kept grinding it out, regardless.

[r8rh8rmike]

Perhaps not so boldly but I can re-phrase & still feel confident in my basic point; DX has not done enough on the field for his lack of playing time to be considered an argument in support of those who label Spags as too risk-averse or somehow being too stupid not to see him as a no-brainer over Gibson in any given game, & especially not that Philly contest.

I really think you're reaching here. I don't see anyone making the case that the Rams lost to Philly because DX didn't play, in anything that has been said.

I also hear a veiled jab at Spags in your own argument that DX should be played because he changes defenses.

I actually had veiled praise for Spags, by intimating that he sees something special in DX, despite what you and others see as in injury riddled, non-productive WR who could shatter at any moment. In the face of all the anti-DX arguments, Spags chose to keep him on the active roster. That's a decision that Spags and I are in full agreement on.

[hill_Bartell=Probowl]

I agree Mike, DX had his chance to display his talents, at the end of the season in Seattle, He didn't have good game under the primetime spotlights. I have no prob seeingh him get the boot, if he can't show up a produce for the Rams when it counts.

If i remember the whole team didnt show up for the game. not just DX