If this ends up being it for the guy, he'll get an out-at-the-one column.
It was painfully obvious to anyone watching Alexander play this season that his time with the Seahawks was over. He was always a very quirky running back, with a highly unique, stutter-step style. I'd say him and Jamal Lewis have some of the most recognizable styles in the league.
A lot of this has to do with his production. And I won't put the numbers here, suffice to say in most categories, Alexander has only done half of his numbers from the 2005 season over 2006-2007.
A lot of this also has to do with what Alexander has been willing to do. He's not a good pass blocker, partially by choice, and doesn't really have excellent hands. He isn't always very physical, and really isn't very fast either. For some reason, something clicked in 2005. Steve Hutchinson really figured out how to play football, and FB Mack Strong was at the top of his game. Walter Jones was still in his prime, and Chris Spencer was just figuring out the C position. After this, Hutchinson left for Minnesota and Floyd Womack was shown to be hardly a great replacement. Neck injuries caught up with Strong, and his play declined. Most of all, until this season, the Seahawks really failed to get a proven O-line coach.
Alexander was never one of those running backs who could carry a load. His performance was as much a result of the efforts of others than it was of his own. The last two seasons showed us exactly what that amounted to, and although somewhat respectable for a 30 year old player, it really wasn't enough. He could probably get a job as a contributor somewhere, and continue his career, but his tenure as a franchise back is over.
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