Kansas City linebacker D.J. Alexander earned a spot in the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl as a special teams player, but he spent most of time playing at linebacker in his first-ever appearance in the all-star game.
The experience of playing alongside some of the NFL’s biggest stars should provide a big boost of confidence for the second-year player out of Oregon State going into the 2017 season.
“Being in the Pro Bowl after not getting invited to the combine – and a lot of people doubting you, saying he’s injury-prone or undersized – being able to fight through it shows that if you keep working, anything can be accomplished,” Alexander told the Kansas City Star.
Alexander was named as a first alternate special teams player for the AFC’s Pro Bowl team, but booked a trip to Orlando after New England’s special teams player Matt Slater and the Patriots earned a spot in the Super Bowl.
Alexander registered six tackles in the Pro Bowl, third-highest on the AFC squad and fourth-highest in the game. The Pro Bowl experience will help Alexander erase a poor performance during his first NFL start during the 2016 regular season.
Alexander started in place of Derrick Johnson against Tennessee in Week 15 and posted four tackles, but admitted he was tentative. The shaky performance resulted in Alexander not getting a second start in 2016. Alexander said he knows what he needs to correct.
“I did a lot of thinking and guessing (against Tennessee) and that hurts you,” Alexander said. “I’ve got to be able to see it and go.”
The combination of the Pro Bowl experience and the start against the Titans will serve as two big learning experiences for Alexander.He has established himself as one of the league’s premier special teams player during his first two seasons.
The next step is to become a consistent and regular contributor at linebacker. Alexander will likely get another opportunity to his improvement during the 2017 season. Johnson suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon in December and may not be ready for training camp. Johnson tore his right Achilles tendon in 2014 and he will be 35 in November.
Kansas City coach Andy Reid has to be thinking about who will eventually replace Johnson. Alexander said he must hone his on-field skills.
“Being a linebacker, a lot of it instinctive,” Alexander said. “I talk to D.J. a lot and he says it comes down to instinct.”
— Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold
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