In defense of Alexander
After watching yesterday's game I was obviously pleased. It was great to see the defense dominate, even if it wasn't exactly against the Patriots.
But at the end of the game I also thought "well, that John Morgan guy won't be able to slam Alexander after this game."
So I read the game summary and surprise, surprise . . .
It isn't that Alexander played particularly well. But I believe the tone here was to basically beg Alexander not to single handedly blow this game.
Yet here I come here to get my dose of Alexander bashing and feel the need (for some reason) to at least try to defend Seattle's star back.
FIRST:
Alexander is getting to the point that Seattle needs to look to the future.
Alexander is overrated in the national media.
Alexander needs a kick in the pants to play with more heart (I wish he'd treat the first down line the way he treats the goal line).
None of this makes him bad. It just makes him not great.
Here's my ridiculous defense of Alexander:
Holmgren like Hasselbeck a lot. He wants him to be his next big star and as a result he has a built a passing based offense and ever since the Super Bowl has designed a pass whacky herky jerky offense that does not establish a rythym to no fault of Alexander's.
In the Super Bowl I watched as Holmgren clearly strained to create Hasselbeck (since he was the visionary behind getting and keeping Matt, training him) as the super star of that game. Alexander averaged 4.8 yards per carry in that game. 4.8! Yet early in the game Holmgren went pass whacky, refusing to just run off tackle until the Steelers stopped it. He called pass after pass and lost!
Ever since then he has continued this sporadic strategy.
I know there are still a lot of run plays called, but this is not a running offense. The offensive production comes in spurts, not in steady production.
Even yesterday we saw Holmgren at his best when it was 2nd and 5 inside the ten. Alexander, whatever his faults, loves his TD's and becomes a different person in the redzone. So Holmgren runs in this situation right? ... or.... incomplete, incomplete, in comes Josh Brown.
Is Morris really better? Your bias on this matter shines through. Today your saying that at the end of the game when the 49ers KNEW the run was coming Morris had some nice runs. Proving he's good. Yet last week, at the end of the game, when the Bengals KNEW the run was coming, Alexander had some nice runs that padded his stats and proved he is overrated (the 100 yard game).
Is it possible that at the end of the game yesterday the 49ers defense wasn't exactly playing with a fire in their belly? (the punt with 5 minutes left was basically the 49ers giving up the game no?)
Also, is it possible that when Alexander is not in the game the defenses fall back for pass? thereby making Seattle's other runners look much better?
Mack Strong averages over 4 yards per carry in his career (over 4.5 last year), this makes him much better than Alexander right? Or maybe when Strong is in the backfield alone defenses don't look for the run . . .
Then you comment specifically on the game yesterday with the 49ers dropping guys back without any fear of a run or catch from Alexander. I would, again, put at least some of the blame for this on Holmgren's play calling. Alexander did catch the only ball that was thrown at him yesterday. If this was such a huge problem why didn't the Seahawks run any draws (not that I saw) or pass to Alexander a couple more times? (I know he isn't a great receiver, but, like I said, he did catch the only ball thrown at him).
Here's the point:
Alexander is not great, but comparing him to Rex Grossman? C'mon! there's hyperbole and then there's stupidity. I have an irrational dislike for Holmgren, but at least I recognize that while I think I have legitimate grievances I tend to be irrational. I might not think he's great, but I'm not going to compare him to Norv Turner.
Alexander needs to start to be phased out, he needs to have a coach get on his ass about running hard, but when the Seahawks don't march on to the Super Bowl and win it won't be because of Alexander.
There, that's my attempt to defend Alexander.
Also since the Seahawks dominated yesterday and I didn't see Alexander make any horrendous mistakes I will give you a reprieve from your promised week off of Alexander bashing in the comments to this diary so discussion can ensue. :)
A place to bury strangers.
0 recs |
35 comments
Comments
Fun stuff
I really appreciate the analysis here and since I've moved to the East Coast I'm glad to have a place to read about and talk about the Seahawks.
So thank for all the time you put into this place.
by Snuffleupagus on Oct 1, 2007 3:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
good diary
by LantermanC on Oct 1, 2007 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My first season here too,
As for Shawn, you make some valid points. My biggest gripe about him is his little "slip and run into the tackler backwards" move. If he could stay on his feet, he might get a few more yards and not look so bad.
by Thingray on Oct 1, 2007 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um
Alexander got the 1st and Goal carry and then on 3rd and 5 he ran the ball with Alexander.
This just proves Johns point that when Alexander is in the game it forces our offense to become one dimensional. He can't catch and he can't block so then when he is in the game the hawks are going to run allowing the Defense to stack the box.
Alexander drops balls in no contact practice drills and the inside draw is a dangerous play to run when you have a RB that only has one arm to hold onto the ball with.
I've been rather quiet on this site about my opinion of Alexander. Basically I'm torn on him. I don't think hes finished but I do think he needs to benched to maybe give him a spark. I don't believe Morris is the answer but I do believe that he needs to get more carriers.
I can't bash Alexander because this team will be better if he gets better. Maybe this is just wishful thinking.
by Scruffy Lefty on Oct 1, 2007 4:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
you're right
by Snuffleupagus on Oct 1, 2007 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't suprised that they called the
And I agree where I would of given the ball to alexander on 2nd down and if that didn't work probably tried to pass on 3rd.
by Scruffy Lefty on Oct 1, 2007 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know it was very nearly a touchdown...
by John Morgan on Oct 1, 2007 6:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
it was also nearly an interception
Plus, is a defense going to be surprised if your backup quarter back pulls up on his end around to pass? It's like a trick play that isn't tricky.
I'm not saying it was stupid or anything, it just seemed kinda odd. like, where did that come from?
by Snuffleupagus on Oct 1, 2007 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did Holmgren kick your dog?
by Scruffy Lefty on Oct 1, 2007 4:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
mostly it was the super bowl
I feel like Holmgren has Hasselbeck favoritism. Obviously this isn't bad, because Matt is great. But my dislike started way back when Dilfer seemed to be playing better ball but Holmgren continually started Hasselbeck. That seems to have worked out as a be worse now to win later scenario, so that's not so bad.
Then the XL Super Bowl. Perhaps my special bitterness is born because I got to go. Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Now, understand the atmosphere. Steelers fans are EVERYWHERE. The entire freakin national media has been talking about the Seahawks are going to get stomped and Betis has created the perfect story. It feels like the entire NFL is against me and the handful of Seahawks fans on the ground. (it took me a long time to find a Seattle Jersey for sale and I actually could not find a Walter Jones jersey, cause the Seahawks were so underrepresented)
You saw the game. The Seahawks physically won that game, they athletically won that game. Alexander was literally running for 5 yards a play. The left side of the line was dominating as they had all year long.
then the Seahawks just started throwing the ball. pass, pass, pass.
I have very little doubt that my memory is clouded, but look at the play breakdown. 45ish pass attempts, while Alexander, the MVP that year, had 20 carries?
This combined with the fact that Holmgren did not get Alexander the rushing title that year forced me to conclude that Holmgren wanted Hasselbeck to be the start of the team, not Alexander. (honestly, if Hasselbeck had been, say 15 yards away from the passing title in any given year, do you think the Seahawks would do anything but pass in their final game???)
Back to the Super Bowl: the Seahawks lost, despite me yelling loudly from the stands "RUN BEHIND JONES!"
But even then my Holmgren dislike was not set in stone. After exiting the stadium in a wash of Steeler fan joy. I over heard two fans talking and one of them said "yeah, and our defense did a really good job shutting down Alexander."
That did it. Alexander could run at will, yet the Seahawks play calling was so... odd... that the Steelers fans really thought they had shut down the run. When really they had shut down the pass.
There you go.
by Snuffleupagus on Oct 1, 2007 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand thinking I'm piling on Alexander...
To your specific points here's the best I can reply in limited time:
The Niners stacked the box against the run facing Morris. I did not see the Bengals do the same thing against Alexander last week.
Alexander is a terrible receiver and Mike Holmgren knows that. So does Mike Nolan. He's been a terrible receiver for years now. In 2006 he posted a -81.8% DVOA per reception, by far the worst in football. I think you are holding one play up to a veritable mountain of evidence.
I don't think I've ever quoted yards per attempt nor implied that's an accurate way to judge a running back.
Mike Holmgren is running the ball as much as he did last year. The only reason he's running the ball in "spurts" is because Alexander's poor rushing ability is forcing Seattle into obvious passing downs. Could Alexander get more productive yards on first, I'm sure Holmgren would be more inclined to run it, but as long as it's second and 8, third and 6, the Hawks are forced to pass the ball.
I don't know what to make of your Super Bowl theory. Despite playing from behind for almost the entire second half, Alexander got 20 carries. I don't think Holmgren was particularly interested in making anyone a star. I think he wanted to win the Super Bowl.
Morris has been more valuable per carry every year except 2005, when Alexander's numbers where bolstered by his awesome touchdown showing. Morris is also 27, in his prime, a better pass blocker (though no great shakes) and a better receiver.
The only reason I compare Alexander to Grossman is that both are players that are holding back otherwise talented units and both are not likely to be replaced excepting injury or a losing streak. I realize that it's nearly impossible for any running back to be as damaging to a team as a bad Qb, that's the nature of football.
I would stop writing about Alexander, but here's my viewpoint, the Hawks are a true title contender. This could very well be the last year that's true for quite a few years. Seattle is not going to win the Super Bowl unless they can get their running game straightened out. Solutions, solutions that are by no means radical or even uncommon, exist on the roster right now. I am championing those solutions because I want Seattle to win, not because I have anything against Alexander. I'd be more than happy to stop railing against Alexander, but he's hurting the team and I just don't think enough people understand that yet.
Really, I'm glad we all get our own opinions, I'm glad there is dissent. It would be a little spooky otherwise. I really shouldn't have said that I wouldn't say anything about Alexander if he didn't single handedly lose us the game on Sunday. I mean I was being facetious, but I shouldn't have said it. I can't run a reputable Seahawks site and ignore one of the Hawks' most important players. I would like to think my post up today detailing some of Hasselbeck's goofs makes it clear I'm not after anybody. I try and call the games how I see them and Alexander is not going to be ignored because I've written it all before.
With all that said, I understand that the tone of this blog has grown overly negative, and frankly I don't know why, but I'll try and tone it down. Yesterday's win should be celebrated and I didn't mean to ruin a game that was a lot of fun to watch with overt and unnecessary negativity.
by John Morgan on Oct 1, 2007 5:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
don't worry, you didn't ruin the game at all
I don't think this blog has grown negative at all, we're 3-1, playing solid football and in good position to make the playoffs (again!).
I've really enjoyed the Alexander topics and write-ups, because I used to be a box score junkie before I starting coming here.
by MFAN on Oct 1, 2007 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow
you should have seen what happened when I tried to defend Richie Sexson . . .
Seriously, I don't disagree too much with what you're saying about Alexander. He appears to be the weakest link on the offense.
He is bad at receiving, but if he isn't going to be covered well as a result and Hasselbeck can notch back on the ball speed (as a result of poor coverage) there still seems to be an opportunity there.
Regardless, the Seahawks clearly need to be gearing up to replace him. But I really feel like the best possible thing the Seahawks can do is inspire him to play harder (maybe he should read this blog).
by Snuffleupagus on Oct 1, 2007 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
when Shaun gets an opportunity?
by Captain Morgan on Oct 1, 2007 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why would you try to defend
by BrettJMiller on Oct 1, 2007 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
I could not.
by Snuffleupagus on Oct 2, 2007 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Intrasquad pickup basketball games?
by Shrug on Oct 3, 2007 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's hope
by brokejumper on Oct 2, 2007 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holmgren is pretty upset about the run game
by Joeshow12 on Oct 1, 2007 11:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This is something I want to clear up.
I know the run blocking isn't perfect, but just because Holmgren isn't impolitic enough to point fingers, doesn't mean it's not mainly Alexander's fault that the running game isn't working.
by John Morgan on Oct 2, 2007 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personally
Anyway, just my thought.
God that was a sweet win on Sunday. Phil and I were talking, it was basically a perfect sports weekend, what with the Mets losing and the Rockies winning in addition.
by jimmimoose on Oct 2, 2007 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There it is, your moment of zen.
by Shrug on Oct 2, 2007 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some thoughts
You make a lot of good points. I also don't believe that comparing Alexander to Grossman is one hundred percent accurate. There's at least some reason to believe Alexander can be the star of a couple games this season. Grossman, on the other hand, had to play through an entire season with the predominating opinion that he was a fraud, a perspective that was soundly confirmed weekend before last.
I don't think Alexander's quite that much of a bill of goods. He has one thing I guarantee you Grossman will never have: an MVP award. Nobody doubts he earned every ounce of it. He doesn't have much to carp about this season so far, but at this point I think he's a second- or third-ballot HOF'er.
Should the phase-out begin now? Yeah. Well, let me rephrase that: It might do everyone a bit of good if Shaun didn't have quite as much job security as he's used to. Not just because the competition would open up, but also because there's a minute chance it would inject a certain aspect of his drive that seems to be lacking lately. Stranger things have happened. I can see both a steadier decline in his abilities, and a potential comeback season in Shaun. But in the first quarter of this season it hasn't happened yet. We have 13 weeks to see that develop.
I do disagree with you about Holmgren's opinion of Hasselbeck. Coach doesn't care about turning anyone into a superstar. Media exposure's the last thing on his mind. He does have a wealth of experience helping to create great quarterbacks. Including some guy who has now thrown more touchdown passes than anyone since... oh, that's right, ever. The point being, quarterbacks are Holmgren's personal forte. Which is probably how it should be. He's not interested in turning them into superstars; he's interested in turning them into great quarterbacks. Maybe you were just being semantic or something -- but it takes a lot of hard work to turn into a great QB. You can become a superstar by climbing into a white Bronco and telling A.C. to hit the gas 'cause there's a sale a Brooks Brothers.
Besides, Beck's already a star anyway. And this season, he's definitely being a great quarterback.
That's all. Thanks for coming. We're all pussycats here, really. Meow.
by Shrug on Oct 2, 2007 10:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well put Snuff....
I have read maybe one or two people post that Shaun still has it....but to say that enough people don't know he has lost a step or is hurting the team is insane. If they don't know they will never know.
I wish this (again the best site I've seen) site would give the Shaun bashing a rest. Especially after a 20 point win on the road against our only division rival.
by The Manchild on Oct 2, 2007 10:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
side note
-change nothing... I hate being happy when reading about the Hawks!
-limit bashing him to a minimum please
-don't bother bashing him after a 20 point win
-Shoot him when he runs out of the tunnel vs the Aints (with a stun gun... I don't want to end up on the news if I just gave a wacko an idea)
by The Manchild on Oct 2, 2007 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
n/s
Seriously though... while I love Shaun and hate to see him bashed, the thing is, Morg's doin' his job, which is to analyze. And we're a blog, so sometimes that analysis gets a little, oh, spirited.
But it's reasonable... yeah, we won by 20 points, but that was largely because of the receivers' big day, and because the 49ers' offensive line was made of frilly lace doilies. It's fair to criticize components of the game that weren't working on all cylinders, i.e., the running game.
I agree the point's been made about Shaun to our satisfaction. I hope we get other things to talk about too. But it IS a valid point.
Just sayin'. I don't work here or anything like that. I'm a consultant now.
by Shrug on Oct 3, 2007 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
shock and awe
I'm just getting my feet wet here and I'm not trying to rock the boat and I'm not trying to be a nag.
I tend to agree the points made about Shaun are valid. I disagree that enough people here don't know. I'm certain enough about it has been said.
This is officially my last complaint until my next post.
by The Manchild on Oct 3, 2007 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's nothing wrong with rocking the boat
As you can see from the comments on this blog, not everybody thinks Alexander is completely done. It's not like you're alone in your opinion.
I've kept quiet on the whole Alexander situation because I don't fully know what to say. He drives me nuts when I watch him play, because I do see these huge holes opening up in front of him, and he pussyfoots his way to a 3 yard gain when he could have had an 8 yard gain. He drops the ball with regularity. He's a terrible pass blocker.
However, he rules in the red zone (especially inside the 10 yard line). I want nothing more than to see him succeed, yet Mike Holmgren continues to set him up for failure by either running that damned stretch play, or trying to set up the screen pass (something the Seahawks have never done well).
So, yeah, I guess what I'm trying to say is that you should stick around, even when it seems like Shaun is getting ragged on. You having a differing opinion from what seems like the prevailing opinion on the blog can be a good thing, provided that flame wars don't erupt (I haven't seen a flame war on here except when I was a dumbass and told seattlesucks to take a hike...not my finest hour).
by Phildopip on Oct 3, 2007 7:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um..... I don't understand
Feel free to disagree with John, but I think it's overly harsh to call him overly negative. And yes, we can still point out negatives after a 20 point win. And still love the Seahawks.
by Eegah on Oct 3, 2007 4:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
baseball v. football
But is he the only problem with the Seahawks? If you replace Alexander with Addai does this team suddenly became a perfect unstoppable juggernaut? I'd say no.
Holmgren said it himself in the press conference that blocks are being missed. Execution all around isn't ideal. I have issues with play calling at times. I think most people's general issue is that Alexander seems to be the only one receiving criticism recently.
In football singling out the performance of individual is a very difficult task, and far less viable than in baseball.
Not that I want to see more negativity in general, but I just find it instinctively difficult to believe that Alexander is the only one who's done anything wrong this season.
As the posts today show, there are other issues to discuss. Alexander should just be one of many.
by Snuffleupagus on Oct 3, 2007 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't quite buy that.
Yeah, you're totally right that there are other topics to talk about. It's just that, if you look at the first four weeks of the season, the one weakness of the team (you might call it major, maybe not) has been the running game, especially in short-yardage situations. It's not like JM can be that negative about the play of Hass, or of our defense. Even our special teams have been better (excepting those two blocked punts).
Honestly, I think that part of it is that we don't want this team to be "just good", you know, good enough to win the NFC West, be a #3 seed, and bow out in the divisional round of the playoffs. We want this team to be "great", ready to make a run at a playoff bye. That opportunity appears to depend, in large part, on whether we improve the running game.
Again, take this more as partially sticking up for J.M. as well. The guy has done some just terrific work since he's started writing, and he'll improve as this community will improve over time. So don't take this as a flat rejection of everything you stand for or anything.
by Eegah on Oct 3, 2007 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
good points
by Snuffleupagus on Oct 3, 2007 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Though I would say
by Eegah on Oct 3, 2007 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love Shawn,
by Thingray on Oct 4, 2007 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

by 
















