Shawn Alexander is done as a quality NFL RB (1 Viewer)

[Da Guru]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

 

[Stingdiddy]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight. I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone. Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

I was saying this exact thing back in August. I cleaned up on some side bets this season that I made in regards Alexander's performance.He's done as a top 20 NFL RB.

 

[dickey moe]

It hasn't been an overnight transformation. His decline has been noticeable during the last couple of seasons.

 

[Stingdiddy]

It hasn't been an overnight transformation. His decline has been noticeable during the last couple of seasons.

Yet people drafted him with the 5th overall pick in many redraft leagues this year. People were very high on Alexander going into this season. His decline has been gradual the last two seasons, but, many people thought last year's decline was a fluke since SA had injurey problems.

 

[Enforcer]

In other emerging news I hear the Berlin wall might come down.

But seriously, I really tire of boxscore analysis. Was Alexander ever really MVP worthy? Of course not. Jones and Hutchinson were MVP worthy, but that doesn't show up in the boxscore does it?

Real play makers and talent can survive the youtube or google video test. Please link me to Alexander's highlight video that will make my jaw drop. I'm willing to bet it doesn't exist.

 

[Da Guru]

In other emerging news I hear the Berlin wall might come down.But seriously, I really tire of boxscore analysis. Was Alexander ever really MVP worthy? Of course not. Jones and Hutchinson were MVP worthy, but that doesn't show up in the boxscore does it?Real play makers and talent can survive the youtube or google video test. Please link me to Alexander's highlight video that will make my jaw drop. I'm willing to bet it doesn't exist.

Even in Alexanders big years, I felt he only ran hard inside the 5.

 

[Couch Potato]

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

 

[FUBAR]

who is this Shawn Alexander of which you speak?

I might draft Shaun in the late 3rd or 4th, roughly where Jamal Lewis went last year. But that's only if I get value at WR in the 2nd or 3rd.

 

[redman]

If you want to talk about "system RB's", this is one of your stars. He didn't "suck", but the primary reasons why he was in any way noteworthy was the offensive system he played in and the line he was fortunate enough to run behind. I always thought he played soft, even a couple of years ago. He was Lamont Jordan on a better team.

 

[mad sweeney]

It hasn't been an overnight transformation. His decline has been noticeable during the last couple of seasons.

Yet people drafted him with the 5th overall pick in many redraft leagues this year. People were very high on Alexander going into this season. His decline has been gradual the last two seasons, but, many people thought last year's decline was a fluke since SA had injurey problems.

That would be me. I gave him a pass and really thought the G and C positions would be much better than they were. But he also ran like the biggest pansy in the world for most of the season. And now that he is at least falling forward when he's touched, he doesn't have the burst or vision anymore. I'm glad I didn't have a 3-7 pick this year cuz I woulda taken him there. I've been a big Seattle fan-SA Detractor and I still thought he would do well. And I really really hope they are able to snag Jounathan Stewart from Oregon.

 

[Phurfur]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

 

[Enforcer]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I don't like this logic. Patrick Kearney signed his big contract coming to Seattle this off season. Nothing left for him to work for as well?

 

[mad sweeney]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I don't like this logic. Patrick Kearney signed his big contract coming to Seattle this off season. Nothing left for him to work for as well?

Different people with greatly different mindsets. SA;s always been a guy that avoids contact whenever possible. Kerney is an animal out to eat men's souls.

 

[Enforcer]

Different people with greatly different mindsets. SA;s always been a guy that avoids contact whenever possible. Kerney is an animal out to eat men's souls.

You bet. Blanket statements like "He signed a big contract" are a waste of time. We're talking attempting to look into the hearts of men here. Is that possible?

 

[Stingdiddy]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I don't like this logic. Patrick Kearney signed his big contract coming to Seattle this off season. Nothing left for him to work for as well?

Different people with greatly different mindsets. SA;s always been a guy that avoids contact whenever possible. Kerney is an animal out to eat men's souls.

 

[mad sweeney]

Different people with greatly different mindsets. SA;s always been a guy that avoids contact whenever possible. Kerney is an animal out to eat men's souls.

You bet. Blanket statements like "He signed a big contract" are a waste of time. We're talking attempting to look into the hearts of men here. Is that possible?

They're not a waste of time when they apply. Dude was using them in response to quotes about SA. They are entirely applicable. He wasn't using it as a blanket statement, he was using it specifically about SA. Sure, we can't actually look into their hearts, but we can see them and make agood educated guess. It's a pretty easy conclusion to make when comparing his effort in his two contract yyears to his effort in the two seasons since he got paid. And I'm not talking about production, becuase Hutch had a lot to do with it. But the effort being made is not the same and fat pockets is the most obvious cause.

 

[Ghost Rider]

If you want to talk about "system RB's", this is one of your stars. He didn't "suck", but the primary reasons why he was in any way noteworthy was the offensive system he played in and the line he was fortunate enough to run behind.

Agreed. I have never watched Alexander play and thought, "Wow, he is awesome," even in his 2005 MVP season. And I remember hearing whispers a few years before that that even some of Seattle's coaching staff thought he was a bit soft. I have no idea how valid those whispers were.

 

[bluesclues]

Mendenhall or Stewart will be the back there next year.

Alexander was done long ago - too many players are getting playing time based on their name or their past....not their current talent level.

 

[NorrisB]

I actually thought he looked like old Shaun yesterday, he had good burst to the hole, but there was just nothing there. It does appear that he was a product of that left side though.

 

[Phurfur]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I don't like this logic. Patrick Kearney signed his big contract coming to Seattle this off season. Nothing left for him to work for as well?

Some players love the game, love the contact, love the competition, and play their hearts out leaving nothing on the field. Others would not even be playing if it weren't for the money. It depends on the individual. I think Alexander has shown no motivation since his big payday.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

I agree, I'd be surprised if we see 1000 yards or 10 tds in a season for him again.

 

[Johnny Ice]

I've never liked Alexander and thought he played like chicken poop when put to the test. Didn't trust him when he was tearing the league up and got burned by it also in many leagues, but he's showing now what I always knew about the guy.

 

[mad sweeney]

I've never liked Alexander and thought he played like chicken poop when put to the test. Didn't trust him when he was tearing the league up and got burned by it also in many leagues, but he's showing now what I always knew about the guy.

How do you get burned by him when he was tearing it up?He does run soft, always has. But in those two years he was more than just a product of the system. It helped him a WHOLE lot, but he did bring a lot to the table himself. He got all the short yardage gains those seasons and really had a knack for the end zone. It was a total different SA from the non contract years before and after.

But that line and system was so good, LT would've had 2500+ combined yards if he was in it.

 

[cacksman]

He may have ran somewhat soft in previous seasons but 2005 was a great season. Not many RBs, if any, in the league could have done what he did that season. That year was the year I really felt he was a great back and did some great things.

He has definitely lost a step but the problem is more a lack of oline run blocking than decline in skills. If you gave him the same offense he had in 05, he would still probably have 18 TDs and 1500 yards.

 

[Cunk]

I would like to hear from a former teammate what they thought about Alexander's run of a few excellent years. How can someone go from being MVP to being junk in 2 years?

 

[Koya]

This is a VERY familiar RB refrain.

See Eddie George.

 

[jaisonline]

...How can someone go from being MVP to being junk in 2 years?

Combination of missing OL Steve Hutchinson, old age (for RBs), injuries and that Madden Curse.

 

[redman]

This is a VERY familiar RB refrain.See Eddie George.

Eddie George was anything but soft, and far more of what he ran for was due to him personally rather than the system he was in. They were practically running the single wing in Tennessee it seemed at times.

 

[kevjones22]

sa was just a product of a great o line in 2005, never a hard runner. he is a drive killer now and needs to be released.

 

[Johnny Ice]

I've never liked Alexander and thought he played like chicken poop when put to the test. Didn't trust him when he was tearing the league up and got burned by it also in many leagues, but he's showing now what I always knew about the guy.

How do you get burned by him when he was tearing it up?He does run soft, always has. But in those two years he was more than just a product of the system. It helped him a WHOLE lot, but he did bring a lot to the table himself. He got all the short yardage gains those seasons and really had a knack for the end zone. It was a total different SA from the non contract years before and after.

But that line and system was so good, LT would've had 2500+ combined yards if he was in it.

I refused to draft him a couple of years when I had a high pick thinking that was the year he would bust. I was playing against him the night he had those 5 TDs vs. Minnesota. I'll never forget.

 

[mad sweeney]

sa was just a product of a great o line in 2005, never a hard runner. he is a drive killer now and needs to be released.

SA was a hard runner in 05, playing for that $67 million. He was like 15/16 on 3rd or 4th and short. Most of the time he wasn't, but in those two years he was.

 

[dickey moe]

Huge question is where should he be drafted next year? As high as second round? As low as fifth round?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Huge question is where should he be drafted next year? As high as second round? As low as fifth round?

Depends on how crazy your league gets over the RB scarcity thing. If they are, he's a 3rd rounder. If they're not, he's a 4th rounder, maybe even a 5th. There is too much talent at RB and WR -- plus more QBs will be selected in the 1st 2 rounds next year than usual -- to justify taking him in the 2nd.

 

[beto]

So is this the thread where we disrespect Shaun Alexander's career? You guys are sad.

 

[Couch Potato]

Huge question is where should he be drafted next year? As high as second round? As low as fifth round?

Sit tight until after the NFL draft. Unknowable at this point.

 

[Couch Potato]

So is this the thread where we disrespect Shaun Alexander's career? You guys are sad.

I agree. He is on the decline the last year or two, but to talk as if he's never been any good is foolish. He had several great years, and that just can't be attributed all to OL and system. He still had to get it done, and he did so in a big way.

 

[flranger]

I've never liked the guy, but you guys that say he was never good are crazy.

That 2005 year I can remember a bunch of times when he broke ANOTHER td run thinking to myself "damn, where did he get that burst, I didn't think he had that?". Was he playing behind the best O line in the league.....sure, but he made them look good too.

On another note, I'm curious how good ADP really is going to be. I'm not convinced he is the next Eric Dickerson or greatest RB since Gale Sayers or some of the other crazy stuff we heard earlier this year. He is behind a similar dominant O line as Alexander was.........

 

[Koya]

This is a VERY familiar RB refrain.See Eddie George.

Eddie George was anything but soft, and far more of what he ran for was due to him personally rather than the system he was in. They were practically running the single wing in Tennessee it seemed at times.

I never said they were similar runners. My point is that the NFL is littered with backs that were tremendously productive for a 4-5 year span, then slowed a bit, then fell off a cliff soon thereafter.

 

[Slider]

Any chance he had the same pharmacist as Kearse and Peppers? Just asking....

 

[cstu]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight. I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone. Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

Shawn?? Seriously??

 

[Enforcer]

So is this the thread where we disrespect Shaun Alexander's career? You guys are sad.

I would understand this comment if it were directed at people flip-flopping on their opinion of Alexander, but lots of people were crediting the offensive line and offense in general back in 2005. Many didn't have respect for his career back then either.

 

[Koya]

So is this the thread where we disrespect Shaun Alexander's career? You guys are sad.

I agree. He is on the decline the last year or two, but to talk as if he's never been any good is foolish. He had several great years, and that just can't be attributed all to OL and system. He still had to get it done, and he did so in a big way.

I had been a big S Alex fan from the little I saw of him at 'Bama. I was REALLY pissed the Giants went Dayne over Alexander. I knew he would be special. His rookie year alone he had some just sick games. Yes, he had a good line, but he also set up blockers exceptionally well. That said, he does seem a bit soft, and he was never a burner so his loss of some seed may now put him on the wrong side of the "able to turn a corner" equation.

 

[pizzatyme]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I said the exact thing in the off-season and got blasted for it. He was running for a payday and nothing more.

 

[Bri]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I said the exact thing in the off-season and got blasted for it. He was running for a payday and nothing more.

but it doesn't include his age, "mileage" on his legs, or the depreciation of a once excellent O line

 

[pizzatyme]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I said the exact thing in the off-season and got blasted for it. He was running for a payday and nothing more.

but it doesn't include his age, "mileage" on his legs, or the depreciation of a once excellent O line

Agreed, but I'm surprised most didn't see this one coming. Once he got paid his motivation was gone. Then everything you mention above just added to it.I say almost the same thing about LJ. I called LJ the bust of 2008 RBs and got blasted for that one too.

 

[Koya]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I said the exact thing in the off-season and got blasted for it. He was running for a payday and nothing more.

The guy had 5 year averages ('01-'05) of over 1,500 yards rushing and 17.5 TDs a year. Blocking or not, that is a fantastic stretch.ETA: During that stretch, Alexander was Top 3 in TDs every year including two firsts and two seconds

 

[pizzatyme]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I said the exact thing in the off-season and got blasted for it. He was running for a payday and nothing more.

The guy had 5 year averages ('01-'05) of over 1,500 yards rushing and 17.5 TDs a year. Blocking or not, that is a fantastic stretch.

Correct. And how has he done since signing the big $$$$?

 

[Koya]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I said the exact thing in the off-season and got blasted for it. He was running for a payday and nothing more.

The guy had 5 year averages ('01-'05) of over 1,500 yards rushing and 17.5 TDs a year. Blocking or not, that is a fantastic stretch.

Correct. And how has he done since signing the big $$$$?

So he played all 5 of those years as an extended contract run? The guy is a little soft, has lost a step and RBs fall of cliffs. But people seem to forget how good he was just a few years ago.

 

[pizzatyme]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I said the exact thing in the off-season and got blasted for it. He was running for a payday and nothing more.

The guy had 5 year averages ('01-'05) of over 1,500 yards rushing and 17.5 TDs a year. Blocking or not, that is a fantastic stretch.

Correct. And how has he done since signing the big $$$$?

So he played all 5 of those years as an extended contract run? The guy is a little soft, has lost a step and RBs fall of cliffs. But people seem to forget how good he was just a few years ago.

He was good, but he was complaining about wanting to get paid. He got paid and has since become a show of his former self.He was running behind a great offensive line. His numbers were skewed by his terrific 2005 TD total IMO.

 

[Koya]

It always suprises me when players just seem to "lose it" almost overnight.

I had read that Alexander said how great he felt and was glad he was finally healthy. Watching him last night he looked like a shell of his former self. Very slow and tenative, no burst, very little power.

Even Cris Collingsworth was commenting how the burst was gone.

Is this the end of the road for Alexander?

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I told anyone who would listen on this board not to draft SAlex or L Johnson anywhere near where they were being ranked. I also told folks Rudi Johnson was on the decline.

Of course, people don't listen to me. I'm just a guy, not staff.

He signed his big contract, there is nothing left to work for.

I said the exact thing in the off-season and got blasted for it. He was running for a payday and nothing more.

The guy had 5 year averages ('01-'05) of over 1,500 yards rushing and 17.5 TDs a year. Blocking or not, that is a fantastic stretch.

Correct. And how has he done since signing the big $$$$?

So he played all 5 of those years as an extended contract run? The guy is a little soft, has lost a step and RBs fall of cliffs. But people seem to forget how good he was just a few years ago.

He was good, but he was complaining about wanting to get paid. He got paid and has since become a show of his former self.He was running behind a great offensive line. His numbers were skewed by his terrific 2005 TD total IMO.

I dont believe he had less than 14 TDs in any year during that 5 year stretch and was, as noted, top three in TDs every one of those years and top two 4 of those 5 years.