{"id":11577787,"date":"2025-07-24T18:05:21","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T22:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/?p=11577787"},"modified":"2025-07-24T18:54:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-24T22:54:44","slug":"ravens-jaire-alexander-good-vibes-leaves-packers-in-past","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/2025\/07\/24\/ravens-jaire-alexander-good-vibes-leaves-packers-in-past\/","title":{"rendered":"Ravens’ Jaire Alexander leaves Packers in the past: ‘I got good vibes here’"},"content":{"rendered":"

The jawing was friendly, but Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander wasn\u2019t backing down. He wanted a piece of tight end Mark Andrews.<\/p>\n

But the one-on-one drill during Thursday afternoon\u2019s practice came to an end too soon, leaving the juicy matchup to the imagination, if not another day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I like most is his swag to the game,\u201d cornerback Marlon Humphrey said of his new defensive backfield mate. \u201cI think confidence is the biggest key you can have at corner.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a perfect fit for our secondary.\u201d<\/p>\n

So far, Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has been getting acclimated to his new teammates, surroundings and the defense. It was just the second day of training camp, and Alexander, who was released by the Green Bay Packers earlier this offseason, didn\u2019t sign with Baltimore until the final day of mandatory minicamp in June<\/a>, when players broke until earlier this week.<\/p>\n

Still, he\u2019s made his presence known on the field.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, he had a couple of pass breakups and was on the receiving end of a dime from his former college teammate, quarterback Lamar Jackson, who didn\u2019t waste any time connecting with new receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a back-shoulder fade up the sideline. Hopkins was ruled out of bounds, but Alexander, who was in tight coverage, bowed in appreciation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m in love, what can I say?\u201d Alexander said Thursday of his early impressions of the Ravens in what was his first meeting with reporters since signing a one-year, $4 million contract that\u2019s worth up to $6 million with incentives that are mostly centered around his ability to stay healthy.<\/p>\n

Staying healthy has been a big if, though.<\/a> Alexander, 28, has missed at least 10 games in three of the past four seasons. Last season, he appeared in just seven games because of quadriceps and knee injuries.<\/p>\n

After Thursday\u2019s 2-hour session he said, \u201cphysically, I\u2019m great.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mentally, too, it seems.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a different culture here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

While Alexander did not elaborate on what was an ugly exit from Green Bay, it\u2019s hardly surprising that he is thrilled to be reunited with Jackson.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s my boy,\u201d he said. \u201cWe was always talking about this.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also acknowledged that he might not have signed with Baltimore if not for the quarterback.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019d be tough man,\u201d he said, pondering the question. \u201cI probably would\u2019ve explored more options. But that\u2019s my boy and I wanna win [a Super Bowl] with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Baltimore
Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander catches a pass during training camp. When healthy, Alexander is one of the NFL's top cornerbacks and a likely starter for the Ravens. (Karl Merton Ferron\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Even with Jackson pleading for general manager Eric DeCosta to sign Alexander the moment he came available and the signing taking place the following day, it at least took some thought.<\/p>\n

Alexander drew interest from about a dozen teams. He also wanted to play for a contender and where the \u201cvibes\u201d fit his unique personality.<\/p>\n

Check and check.<\/p>\n

\u201cVibes never lie,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cI\u2019m big on energy, energy exchange. I got good vibes here. They wanted me here. They cared. That played the biggest part in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

It didn\u2019t take long, Alexander said, to notice that things are \u201cdifferent\u201d compared with his first seven years in Green Bay.<\/p>\n

Recently, some Ravens players have rekindled breakfast club workouts, a tradition started by former Ravens safety Eric Weddle. A group of about eight, including Humphrey and Alexander, gather at 6 a.m. in the team\u2019s weight room. If a player gets there at 6:01, Humphrey said, it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n

The idea is to create an environment where everything matters, with accountability being important.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe work hard here,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cThe workouts are intense.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for Alexander\u2019s role, that\u2019s still to be determined, but his addition gives the Ravens plenty of flexibility in the secondary, including using Humphrey more in the slot, where he was an All-Pro last season, and playing more match-ups depending on the game and opposing receivers.<\/p>\n

It also provides depth with injuries inevitable.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m embracing any role here,\u201d Alexander said. \u201cMy goal, and I know the team\u2019s goal, is to win the Super Bowl, so however we can do that.<\/p>\n

What does he provide in that goal?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m gonna bring that energy and that juice,” he said. “Everything else will fall into place.\u201d<\/p>\n