Three years ago there was no running back more effective than Shaun Alexander. He scored touchdowns. He set records. He was the league MVP. And he earned a fat new contract.
Now, Alexander is out of work, cut by Seattle and unsigned by others, and my question is: Why? I mean, how in the world could someone of his caliber go so far south in such a short time?
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| Shaun Alexander has been able to start only 20 games in the past two seasons. (US Presswire) |
"Something will happen," promised Jim Steiner, Alexander's agent. "There are some lines out there, but nothing firm yet."
But this isn't Travis Henry we're talking about. This isn't Cedric Benson, either. This is Alexander the Great, someone who for years was among the NFL's top backs. Now he can't cash a paycheck, and, I'm sorry, I don't get it.
So I polled some of my favorite coaches and GMs for an explanation, and what I got was an unflattering portrait of a running back who is at or near the end of the road.
"First of all," said a head coach who saw a lot of Alexander, "he had a reputation as being a 'soft' runner. But when the scheme was blocked up, and he got to the second level he had the speed where he could be effective. The problem is: He no longer has the speed, so he no longer can be effective."
Now that I do get. I watched Alexander last season, and I was as underwhelmed as you. Once I thought it had something to do with an offensive line that never was the same after the departure of guard Steve Hutchinson.
But then I saw Alexander duck tackles, fall down and crumble at the line of scrimmage. And that's when I gave up. I loved the guy three years ago and argued his case against his detractors, but, man, oh man, did he look lost last season.
His yards were down. His yards-per-carry hit a career low. His touchdowns were so far off his 2005 pace that he wasn't the back of choice at the goal line anymore. Maurice Morris was.
Everything about the guy seemed different -- including the effort.
"He doesn't have anything left," said an NFC general manager. "People are always talking about the numbers, but the numbers don't tell the story. There's the injury factor. And the hands factor. And a desire and competitiveness that don't seem to be there.
"He's never been known as a very tough player, and there have always been questions about his attitude. I'm not saying that because he's out there (unsigned) now. I would have told you the same thing four or five years ago. Basically, I don't like him (as a back), and I don't trust him."
