Eric D. Williams took over the Seahawks beat and Seahawks Insider blog in December. Williams has covered the Seahawks, Sonics and high school sports for The News Tribune since joining the paper in 2006. Eric lives in Tacoma with his wife and two children.
Tacoma News Tribune columnist Dave Boling also contributes to the Seahawks Insider blog.
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This is an update of the previous post, after we got Tim Ruskell in the parking lot.
OK, here is the deal with Shaun Alexander. KJR's Softy Mahler was reporting that Alexander is about to be let go. We ran into Mike Holmgren in the parking lot of the practice facility as he was leaving, and he confirmed that he did speak with Shaun today at the facility. He did not disclose what was said. But he said unequivocably that Shaun is not being released immediately. He said he could not be released right now anyway because of his injury. He had surgery on his wrist and is currently wearing a cast. When asked if Alexander was going to be released at a later date, Holmgren deferred to Tim Ruskell (which to me says "guilty"). So a little bit later, Ruskell comes out to the parking lot to leave and we asked him about Shaun. "Shaun Alexander has not been released," Ruskell said. "What about the future?" we asked. "Shaun Alexander has not been released," Ruskell said. Holmgren said he also met with Mo Morris and had a good conversation with him.
I was reading through some of the first comments/questions on this thread and wanted to clarify something. We did not have a lengthy conversation with Holmgren. It was essentially about Shaun. Holmgren was on his way home and wanted to make sure we knew that Shaun was not released, but not a great deal past that other than talking about T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones. Holmgren said he really likes the acquisitions of the two, though he has to figure out exactly how he is going to use Duckett. I hope that clears things up somewhat.
COMMENTS:
Frank, Can you check into that for us?
We have sucked at screens for a few years but we now have a starting RB who can catch and perhaps a new starting guard who does well in space. That would add a nice chapter to the playbook.
If he's trying to figure out how to use TJ, it indicates he already knows how he wants to use JJ. Did he indicate how that was? Running backs by committee with Mo or feature back with ?? as change of pace? TJ?
Any word on Weaver and maybe some interest in him for the 2nd round tender offer?
After we signed him I went back and watched the Carolina game we had with them this year. When Carolina needed a yard or tough yardage, they ran behind Wahle. I also saw him check his hole for stunts on the O-line and then when he verified there was no one coming he was quick enough to get back and knock Tapp around the back of their QB in helping their OT. Tapp's speed rush around the outside was totally stifled because of this.
FInally, I saw him pull a time or two and he even went out on a screen pass. He wasn't necessarily "blowing people up" but then it was "our" defense from last year. We had good defenders last year. He did take up space and give the RB a choice of cutting inside or outside.
All around I was satisfied in his abilities. He's no Faneca or Futch but hey, he is not a bad OG. I hope he meshes with Spencer and Jones and the rest of the line with Solari's help.
Carolina has released center Justin Hartwig, who was supposed to compete for starting right guard. Wonder if there's enough scratch left to sign him?
But hey, if that floats your boat, go for it.
Instead of kicking Shauns ass on his way out, fans should be supportive. He said and did all the right things last year, and the year before. he played hurt, accepted the role the coach assigned him. His production stunk last year, but much of that was due to the line. It isnt like Morris or Weaver looked any better with the same line.
Shaun is a wierd, arrogant dude. He thinks god loves him more than anyone else, and that makes me wanna puke. But he is the best Rb the Hawks ever had, the only MVP we ever had, and he didnt deserve this from Ruskell. Guess he should have reworked his contract....still, glorying in his being fired is pathetic. Shaun is tougher than any of the wimps on this blog who jeered him.
We didnt treat Warner this way, even though Warners skills had faded to near invisibility. He left for less money in order to avoid a backup role--but at least it was his choice. We didnt even treat Chris Warren this way, even though teammates here and in Dallas said he didnt even try his last year or two. AND he was a deadbeat dad...
So stop jeering Shaun. Wish him well, and pray he doesnt run circles around that wuss Julius Jones and that slow ogre Duckett.
Just ask most of the experts out there that bashed him all last year about his pussy foot running and falling down all the time, I am ready for a change!!!!! So should all of you.
I love what TRuskell has done and anyone who bashes him needs to look back on how this organization used to run itself, used to be pathetic excuse for an NFL franchise, and now have turned into a respectable organization with a front office and scouting department that know how to build a team year in and year out ot be able to compete. I doubt You will see this Organixation in a rebuilding mode while Tim is at the helm.
GO HAWKS!! GO RUSKELL!!!! I TRUST YOU!!!
Shaun's running style will not work anywhere anymore. He just doesn't have the ability to burst through the hole. He may go somewhere else, but the fans and the organization won't be NEARLY as forgiving of his flop at the first sign of a hit running style as we have been here in Seattle.
I have loved what Shaun has done for this team. I cheered him throughout 2005. I defended him in 2006 and blamed everything on the bad luck of the broken foot. I even tried to be understanding last year and say that it was because of the wrist.
But the fact is, the guy just doesn't seem to have the 'wanto' to run hard anymore and actually looks like he's afraid of getting hit.
He may suprise us all and go somewhere next year and have one more good year just to prove the doubters wrong. If that happens great for him. I, for one, don't want him to go out of the league being remembered for his 2007 performance. I really thought he was a sure fire HOFer, but I'm not sure he has the National votes for that anymore if you believe what is being said on all the National programs.
That being said, I don't see Shaun EVER regaining that 2005 form here in Seattle.
Before I forget, both Morris and Weaver run a mean draw play!
Granted, the end is near anyway, but I really feel like this is ugly and likely to end up hurting. I wonder where he'll end up...I disagree with GordonTV in that he'll hang it up this year. I think he'll sign somewhere in the NFC where he can stick it to the Hawks...at least once. Perhaps in Chicago or Atlanta or somewhere that will use him in some role. Maybe the NY Jets. The man still has juice left in the legs.
This is no Hutch x 2 though... Shaun is way more replaceable and less important to the leadership of his unit. Hutch is missed more for his leadership than for his braun...and that is missed. Hopefully Mike Wahle can replace some of that leadership.
thing about warner is that free agency now a days is so differnt and teams lose a good percentage of thier team every year thats just how it is now a days
it's a business
it's all about what you have done for me latley - and shuan hasn't done much
I didn't realize that you have to be at the headquarter when there was nothing going on. I thought you would stay at home during these days, and wait until something comes up, and write a story about it. The day can seem very long when you have to do that, doesn't it?
Thanks for your work SA, you were a solid B+ runner for a good stretch. Too bad you lost it these past couple of years
I needed a laugh, thanks. That's just too funny.
Shaun will probably move on and play well, but my guess would be that it would only happen because he'll be forced into signing an incentive based deal. Which is pretty much the only time we ever got 100% of him, when he was playing for the dough.
GO HAWKS!!!
You know they would, too.
After all AZ does need a RB and most likely will draft one... what better way to mold a new RB with a vet RB... little do they know should they hire SA that their new rookie rb will learn how to drop balls, not pass block, dance around like it was cool, and fall down before getting touch to "avoid getting injuried" (like that worked out well).
But hey.. whatever. AZ if your listening PLEASE sign SA once he is cut. It would feel great to beat AZ with SA on their team.
While I think that the front office is doing the right thing in attempting to upgrade the running game by [amongst other things] replacing Shaun Alexander, I don't agree with alot of the messages on this board expressing glee in seeing the guy get cut from the team.
Shaun Alexander was a GREAT player for the Seattle Seahawks - the stats speak for themselves - and we can only hope that Julius Jones, TJ Duckett and/or any future draft pick has half the career that SA had here.
But Alexander knows this is business - just like every other guy, including Ruskell & Holmgren - and the time has eventually come to part ways. Shaun has been well rewarded for doing his business in Seattle - and the team has equally benefitted from his productivity during that time.
I trust that all concerned will act with the dignity that defines the Seattle Seahawks as the classiest team in the NFL. We are the best....
And we all know that SA pulled out his best performances agains the Cards.
Although, today Fitzgerald restructured, which shows that the franchise itself is making big strides.
Still, they could just be enamored enough with Alexander to bring him on, plus, don't discount the vengeance factor was SA is cut. You don't think he would sign on the cheap as a "prove me" kind of year to stick to the Hawks within the division?
Who knows, probably not, but, I agree, it would be great to see him go to AZ.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3287855
I think the Allen analogies are pretty accurate. I do think he can be productive, but whether or not he will depends on him. I think he will be cut post June 1 rather than restructure. He'll probably play somewhere else for less money. Don't be surprised though if he retires if he is cut. Ricky Waters was still willing to play but couldn't find a team willing to take him on at his price. SA might find that it more difficult to find a team willing to pony up much cash for him.
The team has more at stake here than SA does. The FO's dealings with SA will either attract Free Agents or deter them. It's a hard sell already to get really good and great players to move (or stay like Lofa, Hill ,etc) in "East Egypt." If the FO treats their "stars" like dirt, we won't get any players in FA going forward and we won't be able to keep the ones we have.
So "if" the front office cuts SA this year, I hope they do it in a classy way so as not to scare off future signings. That's going to be hard to do with their actions and statements to date regarding SA "being here."
There is another side to this issue that I've argued many times in this forum regarding the talent that we are signing. NO WAY is JJ and TJ better than a healthy SA. They are about the same as the injured SA over the last two years. TR is absolutely lights out in getting impact defensive players from either the draft or FA, but he has consistently missed with his offensive moves. Our team is moving into a new phase of NFL play where we will start seeing low scoring defensive battles where either the defense will have to score or we will have to use an opportunistic offense. Hard to do that with a rookie kicker though.
also, it takes 2 to tango, if you will. Josh Brown left for more money and a dome - oh yeah "and for a better chance of winning . . . " Whatever. The only thing that was going to keep brown in Seattle was More $$$. and he is not worth overpaying when we already have cap issues.
NE, Dallas, and many other teams have done fine with no name kickers and we can too. (yes we need a long snapper - but I didn't say will, I said can)
Maybe we should just get a new "video" guy and not worry about who we have on the team and just cheat our way to the top!!!
And hey they don't count against the cap. So maybe we can get a whole Mission impossible team and never get caught. Well at least deny any knowledge of them!!
At least not about what we may yet do ... if he tells me what we've already done or perhaps why we've done something his credibility may remain intact but his "we're not planning on cutting Alexander or even asking him to restructure his contract" lie seemed disturbingly natural for him. It's also one that I still can't figure any advantage to be gained by having told, so evidently there needn't even be good reason for lying to us.
Now don't all you Ruskellites go getting your panties in a wad, honesty is not after all a prerequisite to being a good GM, it's just something we're going to have to get used to.
An adjustment to my BS-o-meter was clearly in order.
Yes, NE and Dallas have done fine with average kickers, but if you are a GM that is restructuring your team to play defensive - low scoring battles on Sunday like this team is being built, you put more weight on your kicker to make those few opportunities that you get. I'm not advocating keeping Josh. What I am saying is that TR has been moving this way for the last 3 years, so he's had time to address that position with the right guy an lock him up for a long time. We didn't do it.
Bob,
BS-o-meter. Took a few minutes to clean my screen off but that was great. I just sumitted mine to the calibration shop also.
1 very good reason- we can't cut him now because of his injury. a few years ago, I think it was Cincy tried to cut someone and either had to take them back and/or had to pay the salary and was fined by the NFL. So if we plan to cut him now and announce it. then we can be in trouble becuase of the CBA.
IDHAWKMAN - Yes our team has emphasized the defense lately - BECAUSE WE HAD TOO!!! How many times did we loose a shoot out in the last 5 years. TOO MANY - so all of us were complaining - Why isn't the defense better to match the offense. It started before TR when we hired Ray Rhodes as DC. He has continued the trend.
He hasn't had much of a chance to work on the Offense yet. but so far I agree the results aren't flattering
I may be wrong, and actually hope I am. Time will tell and April draft is coming soon. I'll be watching to see the first 4 round selections.
As I see it, the offense has only 3 "skilled position" starters coming back with WCO experience. Hass, Burleson and Engram. Anyone else have more that I missed? That's not good when you have a playbook the size of Holmgren's. And I know a lot of us are sick of the same old predictable plays. I don't think the new guys will know more than just a couple dozen plays and I'm confident they will not have the necessary time in practice to run them well.
BTW, SA had 353 yards on 91 rushes, and 35 yards on 7 catches in those first 4 games. Dropping down to 25 yards on 11 rushes and 7 yards on 3 catches in the 5th game. He got over 50 yards only twice the rest of the season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbJ4TkdWnzQ&feature=related
FRANK any word on JJ's EXACT base salary for the next 4 years? I'm hearing rumors that he will make just 700k this year base salary which seems somewhat odd considering LT and SA will make 7.2-7.5 base salary apx this year.
The video is a mock man... take it for what it's worth but dont get all butt hurt bout it.
typical for the level of play he plays? wtf mate?
He's more then not going to be a starter for the hawks. I only know of rookie's that get 400-750k base salary for their first year. The question is genuine.
1. We offered him what we could.
2. He accepted it because it was the best offer to him.
3. The money is not starter nor feature back money.
Put them together with his career stats and he's getting paid very well for his production. In 4 years he's only carried the ball 885 times. Less than 225 carries a season. He's had 18 career Touchdowns (all rushing). Elite backs usually have that in one season if not more into the 20 TD range per season. (I know there's reasons for that but that only points out the obvious even more)
So he's an average back. Building him up into something else is just not genuine. If he was an elite back, he wouldn't have let Barber come in and beat him out of his position when he should be in his prime.
Parcells knows the run game and Parcells felt strongly enough about JJ to go and draft Barber. That should raise a red flag or two if you are looking for him to come in and carry the load here.
I know, he's going to share duties with TJ Duckett, right? TJ isn't elite either though. Neither are very impressive and THAT is the biggest reason for my arguing against letting SA go. The only good thing about Barber and TJ is that their contracts were not structured so as to hurt us that much if they don't make the cut this year or next.
Shaun offered to restructure his contract on the second to last game of the season, but Ruskell wanted to focus on the season. He refused again after the season, probably because any restructuring would make it harder to cut him.
How do I know? The user DADC on the times board is one of the most respected posters around, has a close relationship with SA, who visited him recently while he was in the hospital. Anyone interested in the insight he had on the SA situation and other tidbits the link is here:
http://forums.seattletimes.nwsource.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=42668"
He's not the greatest typist in the world since he's unable to hit backspace due to carpal tunnel in his arms, but he's a great contributor nevertheless.
As it stands right now, there is cap space to be gained cutting him after June 1st. And FWIW, it's highly doubtful at this point that Shaun will remain after that.
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