Shaun Alexander speaks up (1 Viewer)

[faulkfan]

The truth is that Holmgren outsmarted himself all season long. Alexander is the best offensive threat he has and yet Holmgren sees himself as a QB maker so he does everything in his power to make Hasselback into a star. He's been trying to justify having Hass as the starter since he picked him up, the problem is that Hass isn't Favre so it just aint gonna happen. If Ole Mikey had used SA like he should've been used all along, he would have the title and about 2 more wins in the W column. Plus he would have set the stage for the pass by scaring the hell out of the defense every time he used a play action.I like Shaun and wish he would have kept his trap shut because this makes him look bad, but we all know Holmgren is to blame for the problems Seattle has and he could have lifted the morale of the troops by sending a player into the post season with a mjor accomplishment like a rushing title. He chose to stiff one of his key guys and create a scenerio where this could even happen. The fact is that Holmgren couldn't swallow his pride and let a player have his moment in the spotlight because he and the player aren't always on the same page. Sounds like something that should happen in high school, not on a professional football field.

 

[seahawk 17]

I haven't yet read though the entire thread.Was Alexander due a bonus for being the leading rusher?

That's what makes this thing worse...ESPN reported that SA would of not got a bonus. The only bonus pay in his contract was if he made the Pro Bowl.

 

[joffer]

link

Seattle RB apologizes for outburst after missing rushing title

Jan. 3, 2005

SportsLine.com wire reports

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Shaun Alexander issued a public apology Monday for questioning coach Mike Holmgren's quarterback sneak call in a big win over Atlanta -- a play that Alexander initially claimed cost him the NFL rushing title.

"I'm human," Alexander said at team headquarters. "Anybody can at one time pop off. I've done it several times. I think in the position I'm in, I need to own up to it."

Alexander created a stir after Seattle won the NFC West title by beating Atlanta 28-26 on Sunday. In comments immediately after the game, he used strong language to challenge Holmgren's play call.

"We were going to win anyway," Alexander said after the game. "We were on the freakin' goal line, and I got stabbed in the back."

On Monday, he said: "It got the best of me. I definitely blurted out stuff I shouldn't have said. I wouldn't want to take any light away from this team and what we have accomplished."

It was a huge win for the Seahawks (9-7), who earned a home game in the wild-card weekend Saturday against division rival St. Louis. A loss would have sent Seattle on the road to play the Rams.

Alexander wore a "Division Champions" cap as he spoke to reporters.

After Sunday's victory, Seahawks star Shaun Alexander hides his disappointment long enough to celebrate with fans. (Getty Images)

"I'm all about winning," he said during a rambling 30-minute news conference.

Holmgren wasn't available for comment Monday.

In his postgame remarks, Holmgren indicated he had wanted Alexander to win the title. The Falcons drove 69 yards in the final 4:28 to pull within 28-26 before failing to convert the 2-point try.

"It's too bad we didn't get the ball back," Holmgren said. "They ate up the clock with their final drive. Shaun had a chance at the rushing championship, and just missed it. That was too bad. I would have liked to seen him get it."

Alexander said he hadn't spoken with Holmgren. He said he doesn't feel he must apologize in person to his coach or teammates, saying they know him well enough to realize he puts winning first and statistics second.

"It's really simple," he said. "I would have loved to have the record. But by no means does it have anything to do with taking any light, any excitement, any joy from this team and all the hard work we put together to win the division."

 

[packersfan]

So in other words, somebody (probably Alexander's agent) got in his ear and told him that if he's interested in making a killing on the free-agent market this off-season he may not want to look like a selfish, horse's ###.