Senior Bowl Special – with Mizzou’s Danario Alexander
photo courtesy of Jason Roberts, PRISM Press Group
Missouri wide receiver Danario Alexander is proud of the fact that he has grown into such a great player with national recognition in his senior season.
And he well should be – after his first three years as a Tiger were plagued with injuries, Alexander stayed healthy and showed his talents off for the world to see in 2009. Catching 113 passes for 1,781 yards and 14 touchdowns, Alexander is looking to use this Senior Bowl week to silence his critics and prove his value on the gridiron.
After the first day of practices, he took a few moments to share his early thoughts on the week, reflect on his days at Missouri and talk about two former teammates and NFL rookies - Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and Super Bowl-bound Saints backup quarterback Chase Daniel.
What does it mean to you to be able to participate in the Senior Bowl?
It means a lot to me. I’ve been through a lot of adversity throughout my career. For this week, I have the opportunity to compete with the best players in the nation, so it’s a big deal for me right now.
How does it feel to represent Missouri and the Big 12 in this event?
It’s a big game. A lot of guys are using this to show that the Big 12 is a big conference so I’m representing a lot of players in the Big 12 and I want to show up well.
What are your goals for this week?
I want to be the best receiver out here. I want to show everybody that I’m a complete receiver and I can do anything that the NFL wants me to do.
How has the week started for you?
Today was kind of a rough day. I was just trying to catch up with the whole offense, but I’m just getting into the swing of things. Tomorrow I’m looking forward to having a great practice.
What is your best attribute on the field?
The run after the catch. I think I’ve become more physical when I get the ball and I try to get to the endzone every time I touch the ball.
What do you feel like you still need to work on?
First of all, I’ve got to show everyone that I’m healthy, that my knees are pretty good and just try to come out an attack with grace with whatever I’m called to do. The scouts down here are wanting to see if I can do that, so that’s basically what I’m working on right now.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Missouri?
My entire senior season - that means a lot. For three years I’ve been basically injured. I was always in the training room and trying to get to my senior year because I had a great team. For that whole year to go the way it went for me, it’s the best.
How does it feel to get a little national recognition after this season?
That means a lot too because coming into my senior year, pretty much anybody didn’t know about me. Everybody kind of forgot about me because I’ve kind of been off the radar because of my injuries. Later on through the year, for me to get a little bit more national recognition, it means a lot. I think I made All-American on a couple teams and second team All-American.
How is it playing with Spoon this week?
I’m with Spoon, he’s on the North squad. We’re roommates and we’re basically back in Mizzou days.
Who from Mizzou will you miss playing with the most?
I would say Blaine Gabbert. That’s my quarterback. We worked a lot throughout the summer and throughout this year.
Talk about you twittering as @D_Alexander81.
It’s kind of helpful. A lot of people want to know how things are. I haven’t had any updates today because I’ve been so busy but I try to stay in contact with as many people as I can.
You and Chase Daniel seem to stay in contact. How is he doing? Have you talked to him since the win yesterday?
I haven’t got a chance to talk to him, but I’m sure I’ll talk to him tonight. He’s really excited about that Who Dat Nation, he calls it – the Saints organization. I’ll see him in Miami, because I’m training in Miami, so I’m sure I’ll see him when he comes down for the Super Bowl.
Have any of the former Missouri guys been giving you any advice on this process?
Yeah. I talk to J Mac (Jeremy Maclin) all of the time and he always tells me just to stay focused and stay healthy throughout the whole process. A lot of teams will come at you and just try to go to the end and just take it out there and don’t let it hold you down.
Crystal ball – where will you be next January?
Where will I be? Next January? I’ll be getting ready for the Super Bowl. With whatever team that picks me up.
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