Shaun Alexander speaks up (1 Viewer)

[Doug Drinen]

It's funny to read this because as soon as I hear the name Neil O'Donnell I immediately think of his record...it's all I really remember about him.O'Donnell has the lowest INT% in NFL history (meaning INTs per pass attempt) and announcers used to always mention that when commenting on his games as a testament to his ability to "manage" games.

Yeah, well....well...He's still a big jerk.So I guess he was indeed proving his point by not even knowing what record he held. Props to him. I will never question the wisdom of Neil O'Donnell again. (He really is insufferable to listen to, though.)EDIT to add: some quick querying indicates that your man McNabb is #2 on that list. Other notables in the top 20 (minimum 1000 career attempts) include Kent Graham, Steve Bono, Ken O'Brien, and Jeff George (yes, Jeff George).

 

[BlueOnion]

I could be reading this wrong, but are you implying that they coaches called that play so they wouldn't have to play him the money? This is crazy, as they clearly gave him the balls several times on that drive. He was stopped 1 yard shy. Plus, there was more than 4 minutes left. They probably just assumed they'd have a chance at running the clock out if the Hawks D could've stopped anything.

I am just saying there is probably an incentive-based bonus behind Shaun's actions\words in the article.

 

[Jaysus]

Updating Holmgren throughout the game on how close he was to the record so he could get it.

Alexander was not doing that, it done by the coaching staff at Holmgren's request:From the article:

Holmgren never has had a back lead the league in rushing. He was so determined to make it happen that he had the team's public relations department compile a list of who was in the race entering the final games, and inform members of the coaching staff during the game how many yards Alexander needed to make it happen.

 

[jwvdcw]

I didn't read the replies yet, so forgive me if I'm repeating, but I absolutely think this is classless:1.It was a meaningful game that impacted the playoffs....You can never care about stats here.2.There was like 6 minutes left in the game! Blame the defense for not getting the ball back, not the coach.3.He had ample opportunities in the 2nd half to get the mark, yet he had a poor 2nd half...thats his fault! Records/leaders should come in the flow of the game.4.He fumbled on the goalline a few weeks ago...he has nobody to blame but himself that he wasn't trusted.

 

[ILUVBEER99]

I could be reading this wrong, but are you implying that they coaches called that play so they wouldn't have to play him the money? This is crazy, as they clearly gave him the balls several times on that drive. He was stopped 1 yard shy. Plus, there was more than 4 minutes left. They probably just assumed they'd have a chance at running the clock out if the Hawks D could've stopped anything.

I am just saying there is probably an incentive-based bonus behind Shaun's actions\words in the article.

Exactly, i'd love to know if there was an incentive for him getting the rushing title and how much it was.Anyone know or is this information not available?

 

[BlueOnion]

And for everybody who is bashing the 'new-age' players who are stat-oriented and comparing them to old-school players...keep the following in mind.1) Old-school players got a set check throughout the year; whether they played 1 play or every play. There was almost zilch for stat-oriented incentives.2) A big part of today's players paychecks are incentive based, if you play and perform...you will get paid.

 

[Trey]

Dear Shaun,We will glady take you even if you are a stat whore. At least you can about football unlike our last runningback. We will be more than willing to oblige you by giving you the ball on nearly every single play.Signed,Nick Saban, Jim Bates, and every Dolphin fan on this planet

 

[Spike]

Unless he does have a bonus for winning the NFL rushing title, I wonder why he thinks this will impact his contract status for next year?

 

[Jason Wood]

It's funny to read this because as soon as I hear the name Neil O'Donnell I immediately think of his record...it's all I really remember about him.O'Donnell has the lowest INT% in NFL history (meaning INTs per pass attempt) and announcers used to always mention that when commenting on his games as a testament to his ability to "manage" games.

Yeah, well....well...He's still a big jerk.So I guess he was indeed proving his point by not even knowing what record he held. Props to him. I will never question the wisdom of Neil O'Donnell again. (He really is insufferable to listen to, though.)EDIT to add: some quick querying indicates that your man McNabb is #2 on that list. Other notables in the top 20 (minimum 1000 career attempts) include Kent Graham, Steve Bono, Ken O'Brien, and Jeff George (yes, Jeff George).

Not to hi-jack but apparently McNabb became the first player in NFL history to throw 30+ TDs and 10 or fewer INTs. Pretty silly stat IMHO; but the announcers mentioned it in the CINCY game yesterday.

 

[BlueOnion]

Not to hi-jack but apparently McNabb became the first player in NFL history to throw 30+ TDs and 10 or fewer INTs. Pretty silly stat IMHO; but the announcers mentioned it in the CINCY game yesterday.

So does that make Donovan a stat-padder for hardly playing the last two weeks?

 

[Gatorman]

Dear Shaun,We will glady take you even if you are a stat whore. At least you can about football unlike our last runningback. We will be more than willing to oblige you by giving you the ball on nearly every single play.Signed,Nick Saban, Jim Bates, and every Dolphin fan on this planet

post of the day!

 

[cstu]

Dear Shaun,We will glady take you even if you are a stat whore. At least you can about football unlike our last runningback. We will be more than willing to oblige you by giving you the ball on nearly every single play.Signed,Nick Saban, Jim Bates, and every Dolphin fan on this planet

 

[Jason Wood]

Not to hi-jack but apparently McNabb became the first player in NFL history to throw 30+ TDs and 10 or fewer INTs. Pretty silly stat IMHO; but the announcers mentioned it in the CINCY game yesterday.

So does that make Donovan a stat-padder for hardly playing the last two weeks?

Donovan had no say in whether he played or not

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Another thing that makes SA's whining ridiculous is that this is the only time all year that I can remember Hasselbeck sneaking in on a planned play. Just last week I was stating that it was strange that the Seahawks never called a QB sneak even though they had been inside the one several times. Remember last week when SA fumbled the 4th and 1 play - they should have called the neak that time.Of course, I have Hasselbeck so that's why I noticed this more than most.

 

[BlueOnion]

Relax Wood...D-mac is one of my favorite players, quite possibly my favorite quarterback for the past two or three seasons.Wasn't going after you, I was saying it more in jest with the 'witch-hunt'.

 

[Papa Georgio]

Wow I am so amazed by the response to this. How can anyone say that winning a rushing title shouldn't mean something to somebody? How could you not be upset by missing it by 1 yard? We can sit here and talk all we want about winning comes first and all that, but it all is a part of the game..winning, stats, recognition, it's all there. I saw SA jumping up and down hugging his teammates after the win, so he cared about winning the game but he wanted the rushing title too. Wouldn't you? Now maybe his blame is mis-guided but I don't think it is any big secret that Holmgren is not a big fan of SA dispite him being their best and most consistant player. I would say that after all SA has done for Seattle as a football player he should have Holmgren's respect but he doesn't. SO you tell me. You are 1 yard from the rushing title playing for a guy who for whatever reason does not respect what you have done for the franchise and he gives the ball to someone else and you miss out. Don't tell me you wouldn't be upset, as would any other player in the NFL, including Martin. Now he might not voice his opinion publicly but he would still be upset as hell today he was 1 yard short and was denied the chance. All the people pointing out that he could've done this or that earlier to get the record don't see things clearly. DO you think Manning would've set out this week if he needed 4 TD's to break the record? Nope he would've played and been throwing every down. You have to do things right all season to get there but in the end people are actually TRYING to break the record. What type of competitor wouldn't?It is very easy to sit where we are now and say what we would do. SA should've kept his mouth shut, no doubt, but he has always been a class act by all the accounts I have read about him. I think he is being judged too harshly when you look at all the ego maniacs and me first sports personalities we have. If I was a teammate of SA's I would be mad today he didn't get it as well. Not because of Holmgren but because I would want that for a guy on my team.

 

[omally]

I saw an interview with one of the Seattle players. He said they were keeping track of Alexanders yards and they knew he needed the yard. He said he doesn't understand why on 2nd and 1 yard to go, Holgrem called a quarterback sneak when Hasselback was already nursing a sore shoulder, and Shaun needed the yard.

 

[Banger]

Wow I am so amazed by the response to this. How can anyone say that winning a rushing title shouldn't mean something to somebody? How could you not be upset by missing it by 1 yard? We can sit here and talk all we want about winning comes first and all that, but it all is a part of the game..winning, stats, recognition, it's all there. I saw SA jumping up and down hugging his teammates after the win, so he cared about winning the game but he wanted the rushing title too. Wouldn't you? Now maybe his blame is mis-guided but I don't think it is any big secret that Holmgren is not a big fan of SA dispite him being their best and most consistant player. I would say that after all SA has done for Seattle as a football player he should have Holmgren's respect but he doesn't. SO you tell me. You are 1 yard from the rushing title playing for a guy who for whatever reason does not respect what you have done for the franchise and he gives the ball to someone else and you miss out. Don't tell me you wouldn't be upset, as would any other player in the NFL, including Martin. Now he might not voice his opinion publicly but he would still be upset as hell today he was 1 yard short and was denied the chance. All the people pointing out that he could've done this or that earlier to get the record don't see things clearly. DO you think Manning would've set out this week if he needed 4 TD's to break the record? Nope he would've played and been throwing every down. You have to do things right all season to get there but in the end people are actually TRYING to break the record. What type of competitor wouldn't?It is very easy to sit where we are now and say what we would do. SA should've kept his mouth shut, no doubt, but he has always been a class act by all the accounts I have read about him. I think he is being judged too harshly when you look at all the ego maniacs and me first sports personalities we have. If I was a teammate of SA's I would be mad today he didn't get it as well. Not because of Holmgren but because I would want that for a guy on my team.

SA wasn't going to break a record, he was going to win the rushing title, something that happens every year. Even if Manning were 4 td's shy as you said and he did play, I see a difference between the Marino all time td record and the annual rushing td which means almost nothing, except for Jamal last year when he was going for the all time record. Just my opinion. I've never thought of SA as a problem or maltcontent and I can understand him being upset but with a playoff game next week this isn't exactly the type of distraction they need. This team has enough problems already.

 

[jbz]

reminds me of when Barry Sanders needed a handful of yards to win the rushing title one year and his coach asked him if he wanted to go back in and get it and Sanders declined with the game's outcome already not in doubt.

 

[stevec]

I saw an interview with one of the Seattle players. He said they were keeping track of Alexanders yards and they knew he needed the yard. He said he doesn't understand why on 2nd and 1 yard to go, Holgrem called a quarterback sneak when Hasselback was already nursing a sore shoulder, and Shaun needed the yard.

We have a winner.I addressed this in other spots, but I don't see how you can ask your coaches to update you on how a player is doing regarding a particular seaso-long goal (rushing title, in this case) and have him be 1 yard short at the 1 yard line with the game on the line late and NOT give them a shot to get the yard.Alexander is whining, but he's right that Holmgren screwed him. I think this was intentional by Holmgren to get Alexander to leave so he won't resign, and his pet QB can get the long term deal.It wouldn't have been funny if Hasseldreck got hurt. Wait a minute, it might have been funny to see the Walrus squirm.

 

[The_Man]

reminds me of when Barry Sanders needed a handful of yards to win the rushing title one year and his coach asked him if he wanted to go back in and get it and Sanders declined with the game's outcome already not in doubt.

Mark Rypien did the same thing in the 91 season after he had lit up Atlanta for 6 TD passes. Coaches asked if he wanted to go back in to get #7 and he said no. The Football Gods rewarded him with that year's Super Bowl MVP award.I still remember that game. Under Glanville, Atlanta's whole thing that year was to blitz like crazy and leave the CBs with no help at all. With the combination of Washington's three outstanding WRs and great O Line (Rypien was only sacked 9 times all year), he probably could have had 8 TDs if he wanted.

 

[The_Man]

Just found a little more about the game. Rypien was 16 of 31 for 442 yards and 6 TDs. Nice 27.6 yards per completion (and he had another TD rushing - might that be the greatest game by a QB in FF history?).Gibbs asked him if he wanted to go back in with 5 minutes left to get 4 more yards and get the Redskins all time yardage record.Here's the story:

Rypien was in for only one more possession, and it lasted just three plays. On the third one, he hit Monk for 64 yards and a touchdown.Gibbs shook Rypien's hand and told him to take the day off. Then moments later, he offered to send him back in for one last pass."It's a team game and you never know," Rypien said. "You might slip and something could happen."

 

[cmap]

I think SA wants to head back south anyway! I don`t think he will stay in Seatle now. The Seahawks were going to lose either Hasslebust or SA. now they can tag Hasslebust.

I agree he was gone anyway.I bet they tag Walter Jones again and sign Hasselbeck to the longer deal. Tagging a player means you're willing to pay him top 3 at his position money. I bet they can sign Hasselbeck for less than that, but doubt that would be true for Jones. He's worthy of top 3 at left tackle money.

seahawks can't retag walter jones.......(can't retag the same player 3 years running)http://www.suntimes.com/output/bears/cst-spt-biggs261.html"The man Angelo has been looking for might be available sooner than you would imagine and come without the uncertainty that comes with draft picks, even top-10 selections. Walter Jones, the rock of a left tackle the Seattle Seahawks have placed the franchise tag on the last three seasons, is likely headed to free agency."

 

[Kleck]

seahawks can't retag walter jones.......(can't retag the same player 3 years running)

Thanks for the heads up. I wonder if they would consider tagging Alexander and then shopping him to the highest bidder?

 

[wharf rat]

I actually thought the big issue was: with 4:32 left in the game, how does Seattle not get the ball back? There is no way Holgrem knew at the time that that 1 yard would tie for the rushing title AND Alexander wouldn't get another chance. If I were Alexander, I would more likely blame the squishy defense then Holmgrem.

You are absolutely correct. There is now way that Holmgren knew that he would not get another shot.

 

[cstu]

seahawks can't retag walter jones.......(can't retag the same player 3 years running)

Thanks for the heads up. I wonder if they would consider tagging Alexander and then shopping him to the highest bidder?

I think that would be the smart thing to do since they don't have anyone other than Hasselbeck even worth thinking about franchising. Hasselbeck isn't worth it and will probably sign a long-term deal.

 

[cstu]

I actually thought the big issue was: with 4:32 left in the game, how does Seattle not get the ball back? There is no way Holgrem knew at the time that that 1 yard would tie for the rushing title AND Alexander wouldn't get another chance. If I were Alexander, I would more likely blame the squishy defense then Holmgrem.

You are absolutely correct. There is now way that Holmgren knew that he would not get another shot.

IMO, Alexander has no reason to blame Holmgren because of this. There's no doubt in my mind that Alexander would have been given more carries to win the title if the Seahawks got the ball back.

 

[Johnny Ice]

Alexander press conference on Espnews at 7 EST

 

[omally]

I actually thought the big issue was:  with 4:32 left in the game, how does Seattle not get the ball back?  There is no way Holgrem knew at the time that that 1 yard would tie for the rushing title AND Alexander wouldn't get another chance.  If I were Alexander, I would more likely blame the squishy defense then Holmgrem.

You are absolutely correct. There is now way that Holmgren knew that he would not get another shot.

IMO, Alexander has no reason to blame Holmgren because of this. There's no doubt in my mind that Alexander would have been given more carries to win the title if the Seahawks got the ball back.

I'm not so sure. I think it is strange that you don't give your rb, who has a nose for the endzone, the ball on 2nd and 1 and goal to go, while knowing good and well he needed one more yard to tie Curtis Martin. Also knowing your quarterback was playing half injured and can reinjure himself by flopping into the pile. Holgrem did know at the time he needed one more yard to tie. The players were keeping track of his yards during the whole game on the sidelines and a player said he did know. Holgrem has never liked Alexander.

 

[TabulaRasa]

Shaun is my favorite NFL player so I don't like to criticize him, but I was shocked and disappointed at his reaction to this situation. I understand that he wanted the rushing title and I don't really fault him for that, but for him to publicly make comments like that was not at all what I would have expected out of him. Maybe it was just an isolated incident that happened in the heat of the moment or maybe he's not quite the person I thought he was. He's certainly created a distraction they don't need headed into the playoffs.

 

[seahawk 17]

Dear Shaun,We will glady take you even if you are a stat whore. At least you can about football unlike our last runningback. We will be more than willing to oblige you by giving you the ball on nearly every single play.Signed,Nick Saban, Jim Bates, and every Dolphin fan on this planet

You can have him. He is a product of the system. The Seahawks just saved a lot of money by stabbing him in the back.Morris will be a great replacement and IMO Holmgren likes Morris better, and he drafted him.SA better be careful or he'll be riding the pine during the playoffs, Holmgren will cut off his nose to spite his face. He even ran Ahmen Green out of town for less.

 

[Iron_Far]

Alexander press conference on Espnews at 7 EST

He needs his own press conference?

 

[Chase Stuart]

Just found a little more about the game. Rypien was 16 of 31 for 442 yards and 6 TDs. Nice 27.6 yards per completion (and he had another TD rushing - might that be the greatest game by a QB in FF history?).Gibbs asked him if he wanted to go back in with 5 minutes left to get 4 more yards and get the Redskins all time yardage record.Here's the story:

Rypien was in for only one more possession, and it lasted just three plays. On the third one, he hit Monk for 64 yards and a touchdown.Gibbs shook Rypien's hand and told him to take the day off. Then moments later, he offered to send him back in for one last pass."It's a team game and you never know," Rypien said. "You might slip and something could happen."

On September 24, 1972:Joe Namath completed 15 of 28 passes for 496 yards and six TDs. Very nice 33 yards per completion

 

[Chase Stuart]

I watched the last quarter of this game, and started tracking Shaun's stats down the stretch. On what turned out to be the Seahawks last drive, things weren't looking good. When he got down to the one, my family and I knew Shaun was probably going to take the title. Suffice it to say, we celebrated when HBack sneaked in for the TD.I then turned to my brother and said "Well now all we need is Atlanta to drive down the field, score as time runs out, and miss the two point conversion."Amazing to see that's exactly what happenned. It's kinda weird rooting for something like that, but it was pretty easy to see unfold. The Falcons took a ton of time between plays, and had very few incompletions. Lots of runs to Dunn and passes to Dunn. Atlanta was nearly intercepted with ten seconds to play...the real question would have been: Would Holmgren kneel on the ball or give Shaun one more play to run? If he got zero yards, would they call timeout and run a second play? Needless to say, it was a lot of run rooting for Curtis (one of the absolute best class acts in NY) win a rushing title.

 

[Football Jones]

Alexander press conference on Espnews at 7 EST

He was apologitic & made light of his earlier comments. As far as Holmgren, I have no idea why he ran a QB sneak, but I'm sure he thought they were going to get the ball back.

 

[KevT]

I'm sure the whole offensive line is unhappy that Shaun didn't get it, it's a huge accomplishment for them also.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

the real question would have been: Would Holmgren kneel on the ball or give Shaun one more play to run? If he got zero yards, would they call timeout and run a second play? Needless to say, it was a lot of run rooting for Curtis (one of the absolute best class acts in NY) win a rushing title.

This questions was actually posed on FSNW last night, and the team stated that they would have given him the ball from the 20 yard line once or twice to attempt to break the record.I'm a lifelong 'Hawks fan, and although I appreciate his contributions over the past few years, if he leaves over this, I say good riddance and good luck in Miami.

 

[JAA]

lol at this being ok

What are you talking about? Who says this is "ok"? I'm guessing you posted without reading the whole thread. Its full of comments like this:

I believe fans are generally too quick to criticize players in most cases, but I don't see any possible way to defend this. Absolutely terrible form by Alexander. Terrible.

what im saying is at the beginning of next season, no one is going to remember this unlike TOs situation. Just like no one remembers Rice, Gannon, etc, etc who had their outbursts.

 

[Ghost Rider]

So if Holmgren intentionally didn't want Alexander to win the rushing title, then it stands to reason that if the Falcons had gotten the two point conversion and the game gone to overtime, then Holmgren wouldn't have played Alexander then, right?

 

[Mr. Mojo]

Just found a little more about the game. Rypien was 16 of 31 for 442 yards and 6 TDs. Nice 27.6 yards per completion (and he had another TD rushing - might that be the greatest game by a QB in FF history?).Gibbs asked him if he wanted to go back in with 5 minutes left to get 4 more yards and get the Redskins all time yardage record.Here's the story:

Rypien was in for only one more possession, and it lasted just three plays. On the third one, he hit Monk for 64 yards and a touchdown.Gibbs shook Rypien's hand and told him to take the day off. Then moments later, he offered to send him back in for one last pass."It's a team game and you never know," Rypien said. "You might slip and something could happen."

Thanks for reminding me of one of my favorite FF games ever. I am a Redskin fan, had Rypien and Art Monk in that game.Rypien also ran for a TD in the same game.

 

[Lauryn]

Dear Shaun,We will glady take you even if you are a stat whore. At least you can about football unlike our last runningback. We will be more than willing to oblige you by giving you the ball on nearly every single play.Signed,Nick Saban, Jim Bates, and every Dolphin fan on this planet

You can have him. He is a product of the system. The Seahawks just saved a lot of money by stabbing him in the back.Morris will be a great replacement and IMO Holmgren likes Morris better, and he drafted him.SA better be careful or he'll be riding the pine during the playoffs, Holmgren will cut off his nose to spite his face. He even ran Ahmen Green out of town for less.

maurice morris replace alexander?? :rotflmao: holmgren bench him in the playoffs with his job on the line? :rotflmao: :rotflmao: this HAS to be the post of a drug addict. seek help.

 

[Lauryn]

I actually thought the big issue was: with 4:32 left in the game, how does Seattle not get the ball back? There is no way Holgrem knew at the time that that 1 yard would tie for the rushing title AND Alexander wouldn't get another chance. If I were Alexander, I would more likely blame the squishy defense then Holmgrem.

You are absolutely correct. There is now way that Holmgren knew that he would not get another shot.

don't watch seattle much? their D is an absolute joke. i didn't bat an eye that they could give up a 4 min drive to a bunch of scrubs.

 

[Steeler]

O'Donnell was quick to agree, and then even quicker to point out that "I still hold the record, to this day, for lowest interception to touchdown ratio, but you don't see me talking about it."

O'Donnell is obviously is not talking about INT to TD ratio in the Super Bowl

 

[supermark_28]

is it possible that SA had the rushing title as part of a contract incentive ???would love to know the specifics if he did... also,why was Holmgren tracking his rushing yds and the yds of "other" rb's during the game and then just give him a lousy 19 carries and screw him on the goal line ?!?!? Holmgrenhasn't had a problem letting him run it in from inside the 5 all year.... yeahhe maybe a stat whore but who isnt anymore...

 

[Lauryn]

And for everybody who is bashing the 'new-age' players who are stat-oriented and comparing them to old-school players...keep the following in mind.1) Old-school players got a set check throughout the year; whether they played 1 play or every play. There was almost zilch for stat-oriented incentives.2) A big part of today's players paychecks are incentive based, if you play and perform...you will get paid.

exactlymaybe if everyone got paid the same or played for free, there would be more of this "team seniment" that all the geezers in this thread would love to see,

 

[Clayton Gray]

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

 

[cracKer]

Is it OK for Alexander to feel slighted here? Absolutely.Is it OK for Alexander to publicly display his frustration? Absolutely not.Some things are better left unsaid. We all know that he got the short end here, but he comes out looking like the horses ###.

 

[Clayton Gray]

Another thing that makes SA's whining ridiculous is that this is the only time all year that I can remember Hasselbeck sneaking in on a planned play.

I think it makes the point that Alexander has something to complain about. The coaches never QB sneak except when Alexander needs one yard to be the NFL's leading rusher.

 

[Billy Bats]

Ahh sour grapes, Shauwan. He probably missed a $250,000 bonus. What? He has a family to feed. Can't blame a guy. Speaking of statwhores, didn't Steve Young once leave a game after going something like 6-7 just so he can get the passer rating record? And the passes were all 3 yard flats by the RB's.

 

[Mario Kart]

Would he rather win the rushing title or tie for the rushing title? Because if Shawn had got that last yard he would have simply tied for the title. WTF is that? Shawns initial comments were unfounded and definitely not a team player perspective.Making a mountain out of a mole hill. Shawn might have lost his week 17 championship because of that missed TD.