Where to turn?
Shaun Alexander or Edgerrin James.
Both will be FA Running backs on the Market this season.
Lets compare them stat wise
James
2188att 9226yds 4.2ypc 64td 356 catches 11tds.
Alexander
1717att 7817yds 4.6ypc 89tds 188 catches 11tds
Now remember James came out of Miami as a soph, so he is 1 year younger than Alexander. Also remember Edge has a Knee injury in 2000. Shaun has been healty for the most part.
Neither are fantasic blockers, but give the Edge to Edge. He is the RB in a one back system. He blocks more, and better than Shaun.
edge is also a better reciever. Thats a big plus if he can learn the West coast offense.
Shaun has the advantage as a goal line red zone runner. But how many passes does manning throw inside the 5?
Now. contract.
Shaun will want a 5-6 year deal. With around a 20mill bonus. So lets say 6 years. 56 million. (Similiar to the clinton Portis contract)
Edge will want a 5-6 year deal with arount 13-15 mill bonus. 6 years 46 million.
So who do you take?
Its a tough call. Remember we are only 1 year removed from Shaun being stabbed in the back.
This decision will define the Hawks future for the next 7 years. My though is. The grass usually isnt greener. Lets let Shaun finish his career in Seattle. Something few of our sports stars ever do.
posted by Goose at 1:41 PM
5 Comments:
I'm not sure that Seattle "stabbed" Shaun in the back. He was offered deals, he just didn't like them. It's Alexander's fault for overvaluing himself. In the NFL today, the O-Line and offense makes the RB, not the RB himself.
I'd take the younger and tougher Edge in this one, considering we can sign Edge for less money than Shaun. If the money's even than I would agree that keeping Alexander for the remainder of his career is a wonderful move. He knows the offense, he's a good teammate and he's on pace to be a Top-10 player of All-Time at the RB position. And you need to keep those guys around.
That being said, a big contract for a guy who could break down (many a RB has broken down after 5+ years as the main ball carrier) can hurt a franchise's cap space for years (look at the 49ers, for example). So my answer stays the same, if Edge is a few dollars cheaper than I'd go Edge. Of course, Edge is a Miami guy and probably wouldn't be willing to play up in the NorthWest any time soon. So it's Alexander or save money and trade the rights to sign Shaun to move up in the draft to a Top-10 pick for a chance to draft DeAngelo Williams out of Memphis.
I don't think you need either one in order to get back to the SB...I'm not sure a rookie RB is a great move, I'm kind of with the Denver philosophy on this one...I think there's about multiple backs, either via draft of free agency that can come in and give you 1300 and 9-10 and hey, maybe even give you 300-400 via the air and can be left in there for three downs and hurt you out of the backfield...I'd like to see the Hawks invest in another cover CB and more speed/hands at the WR position, I don't have a problem with #8 putting up 4500 via the air next year...if 37 comes back in a deal that makes sense and doesn't leave the team rebuilding in 3 years, I think you do it, if not get faster on the outside, and keep your strength up the middle
In case anyone is curious, here's where you can find a list of free agent running backs:
http://www.theredzone.org/2006/freeagents/showposition.asp?Position=RB
I think Shaun gives you a threat on the groud but he isn't the complete guy for the West Coast offense. I think if the Hawks resign Alexander, they have to explain to him that he needs to get better out of the backfield. We all know he is a great running back but he needs to work on blocking and receiving to be in the plays he sits out. As said earlier, it's the line that makes the running back. The Hawks need to secure Hutchinson as well.
I think it would be great to see Alexander stick around if he improves. If you pick the Edge, then you are improving on receiving but you haven't improved on blocking and he has an injury in his back pocket.
Things to ponder...hopefully Shaun won't tie the hands of this franchise for the years to come!
Wow....I don't even know where to begin on this one. I know that the O-Line makes Shaun successful...but you cannot deny the fact that something 'clicked' with this team this year....and I personally believe that it has everything to do with the fact that everyone has been in this offensive system (or at least a variation) for a few years. The offense isn't simple....and this year was the first year that everyone just all of a sudden 'got it'.
We have seen glimpses for the past several years, of what this system is capable of. But, up until now, we hadn't seen it succeed for an entire season. We could always go on a little 3 or 4 game tear....but this year we really owned it....all season long.
That being said, I think if you bring in a new running back...no matter who it is, you take a step back. Granted, you may be able to take two steps forward a lot faster in the long run....but it is difficult for a new guy to just jump right into our offense. Add to that the chemistry aspect that cannot be calculated, and you are always rolling the dice. This is what Ruskell brings to the table, which is why I think the Seahawks will be great for years to come.
I will also add that it absolutely drives me crazy whenever I see Shaun try to catch a screen pass.....for such a talented runner, he is a retarded receiver. I would really like to have a better receiving threat out of the backfield....but I do love the idea of a modern athlete playing his entire career with one team. You just don't see that anymore.
OK....I'm done for now.
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