Interesting note on new Colts LBer Rufus Alexander

by BigBlueShoe on Dec 2, 2008 11:44 PM EST in Colts News Comment 18 comments

Rufus Alexander was signed today, and Rufus is a player we at Stampede Blue know some things about. In 2007, just prior to the draft, Rufus was a player the Colts (and us bloggers) had an eye on. In my mock draft that year, I had Indy taking Rufus in Round 4. Here is what I wrote about Rufus back in April 2007:

Rufus Alexander is a versatile LBer tat can play SAM and WILL. He's fast and covers well. He also seems to never get hurt.

Rufus went undrafted was drafted by the Vikings in 2007, and he has spent two years on their practice squad. Rufus is a big backer at 6'1, 232 pounds, but he is good in Cover 2.

Though signing Rufus is a good move, this does not bode well for Gary Brackett. More news as we get it.

UPDATE: Back in February 2007, Rufus stated he wanted to be drafted by the Colts. Almost two years later, he signs with them. From the article, printed prior to the NFL Combine:

“I’ve got a great motor, great instincts. I play with a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. I’m just a competitor.”

489044548_2daf5a7f1d_medium

Rufus Alexander at Oklahoma

0 recs | Comment 18 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Yeah, it's hard to get excited about his potential

When thinking about the possible loss of Brackett.

by coltsfanawalt on Dec 2, 2008 11:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

question

ok so im new here and i noticed people saying words like SAM and WILL and i was wondering what those meant. I have never heard those terms until just recently reading these posts. If someone could clear it up that would be great.

by wardta on Dec 3, 2008 12:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

SAM = strong side linebacker
WILL = weak side linebacker
MIKE = middle linebacker

by nealE on Dec 3, 2008 1:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

alright thanks. it’s all clear now.

by wardta on Dec 3, 2008 9:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just like nealE said, they are just shorter a term that stands for each linebacker position. It’s just easy to say WILL over weak side linebacker.

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Dec 3, 2008 8:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

little grammar problem but you get the point

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Dec 3, 2008 8:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

was he drafted or not?

this post says he was undrafted, yet the last one says he went in the 6th round 2007… Which was it?

An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...

by bluegirl on Dec 3, 2008 5:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

he was a 6th round pick

but if he was on their practice squad he’s been a free agent, so it’s not a big distinction. Though I feel better about his one career game played after seeing he got hurt in training camp and missed his whole rookie year.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Big Ten's leading Rusher, Leads FBS
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 3, 2008 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hope he works out then

as well as Johnson seems to be that we took from Titans practice squad. He might be a steal, and he might be quite motivated since he probably has a much better shot to crack the starting line up here…

An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...

by bluegirl on Dec 3, 2008 12:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh my..

DAYUMMM, If I could get a pair of biceps like on the picture, I would be one happy camper…

by jocre on Dec 3, 2008 8:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Well shit, if he wanted to be drafted by the Colts and is good, then I say welcome brother!

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Dec 3, 2008 9:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Philip Wheeler

I haven’t heard much about his play so far this year, can anyone enlighten me?

It's a bird, it's a plane... no it's Supermathis!!!

by AussieColtsFan on Dec 3, 2008 10:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

He missed some time early with an injury

and has been playing well on special teams since he got back.

He didn’t play much zone coverage in college so getting him into the base D quickly wasn’t going to happen.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Big Ten's leading Rusher, Leads FBS
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 3, 2008 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

was signing colvin a possibility?

and would we rather have him than alexander anyway…?

The Boston Globe reports the Patriots have signed free agent LB Rosevelt Colvin.
The one-time big ticket free agent item has been out of football since the Texans cut him at the end of training camp. He was a good rusher before a foot injury last year, but declined rapidly. He’ll add depth with Adalius Thomas and Pierre Woods dealing with injuries.

by zkmavz on Dec 3, 2008 10:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs