But Alonso had at least some of training camp to get re-acclimated to live action, which raises another possible reason that he has been so ineffective: that he is having trouble mastering Davis' system and a middle linebacker's role in it. Anyone who spent any time talking to Alonso, or trying to talk to him, recognizes this possibility. He has the comportment of a super-laid-back surfer dude, dumbstruck as he listens to Bill and Ted discuss their latest excellent adventure. He leads the team in blank stares. Asked what he needed to do to improve his play, he said, "Film study . . . practice . . ." There was a long silence thereafter.