GREEN BAY – Over the past couple of seasons, Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has shown some of the more offbeat sides to his personality.
On Tuesday, in his first chat with the media since last season ended, he revealed he's still very much doing his own thing.
Back for the team's mandatory minicamp after not participating in OTAs, the two-time, second-team All-Pro explained he's actually spent a lot of time this offseason in Green Bay, and plans to continue doing so prior to training camp.
But after sticking around for a few months at the conclusion of the season, he preferred to be out of town, on his own during the bulk of the team's voluntary offseason program, even if that meant forgoing a workout bonus in his contract.
Preparing for the upcoming season his way is worth more to him than some extra cash.
"I know what works for me at this point," Alexander said following Tuesday's first minicamp practice. "I'm on Year 6, two Pro Bowls, two All-Pros, I mean, I think I know what I got going on here."
Joking that he was "training on an island somewhere," keeping his location undisclosed, Alexander wasn't totally disconnected from the team. He said he was watching all the OTA practice video on his tablet, keeping up mentally with the defensive installations.
During his first day back on the field in a while, he was his typical energetic, talkative self. He could be heard verbally engaging his competition, including new starting QB Jordan Love, play after play as only he can.
When he gave up a diving touchdown catch to Romeo Doubs on a quick fade route in 7-on-7 goal-line work, he first appeared to suggest Doubs pushed off but then gave the second-year receiver his props.
"He deserved that one, ya know?" Alexander said. "But when camp come around, we're gonna see about that."
Truthfully, Alexander also indicated he likes seeing the young players on offense coming along. All the verbal sparring is as much about challenging them as it is firing up himself and his defensive mates.
"When I first got here, the first thing I told Christian (Watson) and Romeo was keep doing what you're doing, because we're going to need you," he said.
The defense is also going to need Alexander and fellow veteran corner Rasul Douglas, who was back for minicamp after skipping OTAs as well, at their best to help Keisean Nixon get settled in as the regular nickel in the slot.
Beyond that, the secondary is working out who will start at safety alongside Darnell Savage – the rotation in practice continues in minicamp – as well as when corner Eric Stokes could return from injury and how quickly a newcomer like rookie seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine might be ready to contribute.
But there's plenty of time for all that to sort out, beginning in late July. Between minicamp and training camp, Alexander plans to stick around Green Bay as the rest of the team disperses for its break and take advantage of the serenity, just as he did on that "island," or wherever he was.
"It's so quiet," he said. "You have no choice but to find peace, especially inside the building. Lambeau's open all day. Go out there and meditate, run some stadiums. That's all."
