So, Rivera's camp MVPs were Hardy and Alexander, huh?

[top dawg]

According to David Newton, Rivera named Greg Hardy and Frank Alexander as his two camp MVPs.  First I've heard of it, but I guess that it makes sense that two troubled guys that have a lot on the line would be extra motivated to impress.  

 

I wonder if this motivation will carry over into the regular season.  Hardy has the opportunity to become the number one guy, though he will have to do a lot more to show that he can live up to the consistency within the trenches that Charles Johnson has showcased the last few years.  Some believe that Hardy is better than C.J. now.  I think that he is more flamboyant, sure, but he hasn't been as nearly as dependable.  And as D. Newton pointed out, dependability/consistency has been Frank Alexander's whole problem.  On the field, C.J. and Hardy took a large leap in their 4th years, now Big Frank must do the same.  I don't know that Alexander will be expected to produce like C.J. and Hardy did, as he  may not get the playing time. But considering that he is missing the first four games, he better hit the ground running come October and show that he can be relied upon to do his job on the field, and be even smarter off the field. 

 

Both Hardy and Alexander have something to prove this year, and in some ways both are behind the eight ball.  If they fail to distance themselves from their troubled pasts by staying clean (so to speak), then G-man's decision regarding our stable of defensive ends will not be hard at all.  If both are successful on and off the field, then G-man's decisions will become more difficult.  A lot is at stake. 

 

One thing about it; perhaps being a "camp MVP" really means something this year.  For Hardy, and especially Alexander's sake, it had better.

 

 

[JccOldTime23]

Camp MVP should be taken with a grain of salt. Rivera's MVP last camp was Armanti Edwards who didn't even make it to the halfway point of the season before he was released.

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[bigjohn]

Yeah to me camp MVP means about as much as quotes from celebrities on political issues. 

 

 

[jasonluckydog]

Bigjohn is the MVP of this thread.

[top dawg]

Well, that's kinda the point.  We may be able to afford Hardy and/or Alexander to not play up to their potential this year, but I don't know that we will be able to.  We need at least one or both to bring it.  Not that it's even imaginable, but we can't afford either of them to be Armanti Edwards, if you get what I'm saying.

[frash.exe]

So Alexander is officially out of the doghouse?

[CRA]

Coaching. The 2 guys with the most issues going into the season....Rivera gives extra attention to

[Jangler]

I hope they frame them.

[Jmac]

I guess the prospect of being out on your ass if you don't give 110% is always a good motivation tool. F.A treading very thin ice..he better light it up when he gets the chance.

[Hotsauce]

Gotta love those training camp MVPs

[Jeremy Igo]

I would not put much stock in it at all, as I am sure Rivera did not put much thought into it. It basically means what players were fresh in his mind when the question was asked. Yesterday the defensive line had a spirited matchup against the offensive line in one on ones that Rivera was overseeing. Alexander and Hardy both performed well in it.

[PantherPhann89]

I think that the MVP designation, here, is more about motivation than anything else. Not to say that these guys didn't perform well but they also needed to be motivated to perform well on a consistent basis and while motivating them, it's also motivating teammates...

[TheRumGone]

If big frank "gets it" this year than good god that d line. Geeez

[pantherj]

Our OTs make Alexander look like the MVP of our team. If that doesn't scare you about our tackle situation, then nothing will.