Who Replaces Shaun?

Posted by Stephen Rhodes on January 15th, 2008 filed in Features, Opinions

                      

There once was a time where Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander could be considered an elite running back - as recently as 2005 - when he gained 1,880 yards and scored a then-record 27 touchdowns.  From all accounts, it appears that Alexander is a mere shell of his former self; the reasons why that is the case are many:

• He got fat and unmotivated.  Alexander signed a big contract in 2006 that paid him $15 million annually.
• Age and age-related injuries.  While in pro baseball and pro basketball the early-30’s isn’t exactly career suicide, the NFL - especially at RB - is another story.
• The offensive line being below-par for most of the season.  While reserve RB’s Maurice Morris (4.5 YPC) and Leonard Weaver (4.4 YPC), Alexander slumped to a career-low 3.5 YPC in 2007.

For whatever reason, Alexander obviously isn’t the same RB.  That being the case, they need a top-notch RB, either through free agency or through the draft.  And there’s plenty of them out there in free agency land.  Backs such as:

• Michael Turner, San Diego Chargers.  He’s been kind of forgotten, but then again you would be too if you’re the backup to LaDanian Tomlinson.  He has the advantage of not suffering the wear and tear of a starting RB.  Turner is an unrestricted free agent, so he is a possibility.
• Julius Jones, Dallas Cowboys.  What?  You thought I’d say Marion Barber?  Some variables come into play here.  Does he want to time-share with Barber in 2008?  Does he want to be a feature back?  He gained over 1,000 yards as recently as 2006, so it isn’t like he isn’t capable of doing it again.  But Jerry Jones may try to find a way to make Jones and Barber continue their current roles in 2008.  Hard to say at this point.
• Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns.  Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards with the Browns this season, so he doesn’t qualify as a scrub just yet.  It looks like Lewis has life in his legs still; the Browns don’t want to let him go - which means that the Hawks may have to break the bank to get him.
• Justin Fargas, Oakland Raiders.  He had his best year this season with 1,099 yards.  I really like him as he really hasn’t been used extensively as a feature back during his career - meaning he is relatively fresh.  And rest assured that there’s teams out there who want him.

Other possibilities: Derrick Ward, New York Giants; Vernand Morency, Green Bay Packers; Chris Brown, Tennessee Titans; T.J. Duckett, Detroit Lions

There’s also the draft; the problem here is that the Hawks draft in the mid-2o’s in the first round.  If they want Darren McFadden from Arkansas (who doesn’t?), they would have to trade up to nab him.  McFadden aside, the RB choices are deep:

• Jonathan Stewart, Oregon.  A nice blend of speed and size; probably the best big back in the draft.  Only downside is his injury issues in college.
• Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois.  A prototypical Big-10 RB, he mirrors Stewart in a lot of ways; the potential is there.
• Kevin Smith, Central Florida.  So what if UCF had a weak schedule?  He burned Texas to the tune of 149 yards on 27 carries and 2 touchdowns.  Not the fastest RB out there but is durable.

Other possibilities: Ray Rice, Rutgers; Steve Slaton, West Virginia; Mike Hart, Michigan

What the Hawks eventually do is anyone’s guess, but no matter what that may be, they can’t use a lack of running back depth excuse this coming season.