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2006 Season Review: Shaun Alexander

As a writer, Shaun Alexander is easily the least fun player on the Seahawks to write about. Quite simply, what can I say that hasn't already been said about the Hawks' superstar? Further, almost any logical projection of Shaun's 2007 will be considered pessimistic by most Hawk fans. So instead of tearing my hair out trying to think of an original perspective on Alexander, or shoot sunshine up your skirt about a return to form for our once great back, here are, instead, some simple bullet points.

  • Alexander became the latest in a long line of running backs that suffered injury after topping 370 regular season carries in the preceding season. The good news is that it wasn't his knee. The bad news is that it was his foot--an injury that can be similarly debilitating. Recent reports indicate Alexander's foot is never likely to fully heal, but that the crack in his foot, as it is now, shouldn't affect his play.
  • Easily the most infuriating moment of last season was watching Alexander get 40 carries against the Green Bay Packers. It was his first game back from injury and the total bested his previous career high in carries by five. Over the next two contests Alexander averaged under 3.5 ypc against the Broncos' and Cardinals. Holmgren, and indeed most coaches, love the workhorse rusher--not just because some sort of jugheaded loyalty or tradition, but because it helps disguise play calling. Still, the Hawks must be able to effectively split carries between Alexander and Maurice Morris in the coming season. An ideal split would be something like 250 for Alexander and 150 for Morris--Or, as I'll explain in a second, 50 for Alexander, 25 for Morris and 325 for Mewelde Moore.
  • As I pointed out last season, Alexander's continuing decline receiving the ball doesn't bode well for his rushing future. In the next few years, Alexander will either solidify a Hall of Fame career or see a precipitous decline and be out of the league or relegated to backup duties. His receiving numbers would seemingly indicate the later. Rushers who have been able to retain effectiveness into their thirties, like Priest Holmes, Curtis Martin, Warrick Dunn and Tiki Barber, have also maintained effectiveness receiving. Generally, the pattern is first a player's reception numbers begin to decline over a number of years, in this span he will have his career year rushing before eventually losing effectiveness entirely. Alexander looks to be at the end-phase of that arc and it wouldn't be surprising if he was the worst starting running back in the division come next season. In fact, it would be surprising if he wasn't. Alexander's receiving numbers are embarrassingly bad and he's already had a career year rushing and lost the following season to injury. Seattle fans will hear a lot about a return to superstardom for Alexander in 2007, but if he's simply able to be a competent starter, we should all be relieved.
  • Truthfully, the Hawks are in desperate need of another running back. Morris' receiving numbers are as bad as Alexander's and neither should be expected to be much better than league average in 2007. The good news is that each season some team or teams cut a running back that has the ability to be a good rusher. This year, it looks like it might be Mewelde Moore. Moore has been awesome in the passing game and a very good rusher when given opportunities. Minnesota, clearly not a fan of winning, decided to pass on Brady Quinn and instead drafted Adrian Peterson. That puts Moore now behind both Peterson and Chester Taylor, with Ciatrick Fason around for depth. Moore is only 25 (football age, i.e. he'll be 25 at the start of the season) and not only could he contribute to the 2007 Hawks, but at a bargain price and without using a draft pick could give the Hawks a franchise back for the future. If come June 1st Moore is available, he represents a must sign for Seattle.

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I'm actually kinda looking foward
to the decline of Shaun. Sure, he's one of the faces of this franchise, and he's had a good career, but he is a little too streaky for my taste. I don't really like the guy who will carry the ball 10 times for 14 yards, fail to pick up a couple of key first downs, then rip off a 45 yard run on first down. Now, all of a sudden, he's having a "good" game when you look at his yardage and yards per carry.

When Shaun is gone, I'm hoping we get a more reliable running back (an Ahman Green type back), instead of going for the home run hitter.

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on May 15, 2007 3:52 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just had a dream we sign Ahman Green to be
our backup even he had already been signed by Houston

Anyway you say that now until Shaun racks up another 1600 yard and 20 TD season

V. 1.0, mutherf***er, know what I'm sayin'?

by Scruffy Lefty on May 16, 2007 7:02 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Your take on Shaun is interesting...
And just as you do I hope you are wrong. But you are not giving your opinion as much as basing it on trends that normally happen, which is certainly fair.

At the same time before last season Shaun didn't show any signs of slowing down, and even last year I thought the line and injuries had more to do with him slowing down than age breaking him down.

So I am optimistic that he can show his flashes of greatness for another year or two, preferably splitting carries with someone to save whatever time he has left.

That said I AM an optimist who believes Walter Jones probably has 3+ years without slowing down. :p

by Nic on May 15, 2007 5:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He did slow down last year, though.
It seemed like every time he tried to cut back, he'd be run down from behind. He simply didn't have the escape speed last year. Whether that was from his broken foot, or his overuse in 2005, we can't be sure. But based on his age, and the trend of 370+ carry backs breaking down, I'd bet on his career being nearly over.
I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on May 16, 2007 8:20 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yes he did.
BUt at the same time when you injure a foot or leg you have to sit around a lot. You get out of shape.

Since there is an easy explanation for it(and as I said I'm a bit of an optimist) I'm gonna go with that until he looks slow this year. ;)

by Nic on May 16, 2007 12:59 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Heh.
I wish I had your optimism. :(
I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on May 16, 2007 1:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Today Clayton said...
...Alexander is lighter and stronger and worked out more this offseason than ever before.

Not sure where he gets his info, but I was shocked to see that random Seattle "story" on ESPN.

by Nic on May 15, 2007 11:28 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Clayton lives in Seattle
so he is always doing seahawk stuff
V. 1.0, mutherf***er, know what I'm sayin'?

by Scruffy Lefty on May 16, 2007 7:01 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Whenever I see Clayton on ESPN
with the background of the needle and gray sky, I automatically think of some EPA nerd talking about acid rain or the ozone or some other Gore-gibberish.  
Didn't DMZ make fun of your dad? - Scruffy Lefty to Coach Owens ...... - Coach Owens to Scruffy Lefty

by Christian on May 16, 2007 9:20 AM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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