people can't have a defeated mindset, had to make sure he followed his own advice.

"Injuries in football, it can be like a death in family," Acho said. "It can be devastating. You want to be around people who care about you."

The details about playing now are only that – details. Alexander is anxious to be able to play for real, unable to truly get engaged as he tries to be smart with his foot and not be "dumb tough" in the summer. He'd be able to play if it were the regular season, but it is not.

Acho too waits. With Abraham's absence, a minor injury to Shaughnessy and two fields being used in OTAs, Acho has gotten a ton of reps in the heat – and while he has been tired, he isn't about to complain about opportunities.

If in the end they aren't starting anymore and have a different role, so be it. At least they avoided being invisible.

"My thing is I am trying to win a championship," Alexander said. "If they want me to start, be a backup, play third downs, whatever. I have learned I can dominate on special teams to win a game here and there. Anyway they can use me so we can get 'Ws', that's what it is about. Starting, I have done it, but I haven't won a championship."