Shaun Alexander is playing at MVP level this season, no one can dispute that. But he shouldn't get all the glory; the great blocking by his offensive line and offensive teammates is a big part of Alexander's success running the ball. View a three-photo sequence evidencing the blocking prowess of this group of long-time teammates at Citizen K Likes This
Great analysis. Our offensive line isn't getting a lot of credit this season. Usually when you discuss great backs, someone (usually Mike Patrick) says "But look at the blocking! Thats great blocking, guys. He really gets help up front!" At that point Joe Theisman is forced to agree.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this was a great breakdown of how the Rams got owned.
That picture is disturbing. But Paul's are great, as was your breakdown. Nice to see all that good work being done by all, bringing a TEAM victory. That said they still need to sign Shaun...
ReplyDeletePosted by JoSCh
"Also, the Seahawks brought in some running backs yesterday. Clearly they're not happy with the production they're getting at that position."
ReplyDelete-Mike Sando...
Wow, CitK, I felt like I was watching NFL Network break down footage...that was AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you very much, PositivePaul, for heaping INCREDIBLE pressure on me as I get ready to head to SF for Sunday's game. I'm hoping my little Nikon digital with 8.3 optical zoom is up to the task!
The point about the WHOLE TEAM doing outstanding blocking can't be stressed enough.
On Shaun's final 17 yard scamper to seal the victory, JJ can be seen driving his man clear out of bounds to open up the left side for Shaun to waltz right into the endzone.
I remember Urban too throwing a key downfield block a few games ago too.
Not only can our "reserve" WRs catch, they block like nobody's biznez too.
LINK
ReplyDeleteShaun Alexander article...saying he deserves to be noticed, with maybe a couple things that i didnt wanna see, but for the most part, a solid article...
I particularly like it when the guy said 'brain dead'...how long have I been calling the majority of people in our nation that???
Posted by adp
adp, that page 2 thing is great, I love to hate James Lipton. "You will always be the Barbra Streisand of NFL running backs" if fricking hilarious.
ReplyDeletePosted by JoSCh
Hey thanks for the shout!
ReplyDeleteHere are a few more pix I should add:
Dropping Jackson for a loss
Bulger sits on his duff inside their 5 yard line
(And my proper #12-ish reaction was to jump up and yell "Sit DOWN, Bulger!!!")
Setting up the TD
(Unblurred, and un-cropped version that I edited for the PSP blog)
Uncropped version of picture #1
Uncropped version of picture #2
Heh. Stupid Fred Meyer. I've got one roll on the CD scanned twice, so they forgot to put one of the rolls I shot on the CD. I shot 5 rolls of film on my Nikon 35mm (mostly through the 70-210 zoom). I had to use 800 speed film, though, because of the conditions. The pix on the bottom of my PSP blog are through my Minolta digital, with a 4x optical zoom (but with the 2.2x digital enhancement used). Your 8.3 optical should work just fine, especially if you have closer seats. You couldn't get much further away than I was at Qwest...
One of these days a digital SLR will find its way into my hand. Until then, I'll have to blow money on film processing...
And, of course, you can see some, um, questionable blocking on the "Setting up the TD" picture...
ReplyDeleteI loved those pics!
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why two weeks ago I gave a shared banana peel award to both SA and Steve Hutchinson. Fact of the matter is, the Hawks have the best left side OLine in all of football, both Jones and Hutch are the two best in the league at their positions.
Obviously this makes SA's life much easier.
Having said that, it would be foolish to read into that statement and say, "see, anyone can run behind that line, we don't need SA." That would be a stupid assumption to make, we do need SA, he makes this offense go, and no, not anybody can run behind this line, it is just easier to run behind this line because of their greatness.
If it were true that anyone can run behind our line, then Emmitt Smith was just an average RB behind a great line, so was Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, Jim Brown etc... they all played behind great lines at some point in their careers, yet you don't hear anyone criticising their talent.
Show him the money!!
Note too the blocking prowess of JJ in the three picture series - setting up, uncropped 1 and uncropped 2.
ReplyDeleteFirst he sells the route, then comes back, then just stands there and says to the CB..."relax, enjoy the show"
Posted by alba
I have to say, I loved the "dropping Jackson for a loss" play when I saw it on TV.
ReplyDeleteWhy? You can see Lofa tackling him by the hair. Look closely at the picture!
After the play, Jackson was pissed. I'm surprised Lofa didn't emerge with a fist full of fur.
Sweet. Props for the pictures, PosP!
(BTW, it will be my turn to take pics for the Indy game!)
Posted by Bluefoot
Monkey, you crackme up, you always simplify and generalize....I don't think anyone, yours truely included, has said "anyone" can run behind this Line, but I still believe that there are several talented backs that could be successful here.
ReplyDeleteI still think you're letting your mancrush cloud your ability to evaluate the actual all-around talent this team has.
I just don't like this stuff of SA being teh be-all end-all of this team's success. If that's the case we're in trouble, because "if" they sign him to the contract you and he are looking for, and he's the only thing making this offense run...what if he gets hurt...are you saying we're done? I seriously doubt that.
Perhaps you should go back and watch some footage of Mo running behind this O-line..and he's not that good(according to many here)
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi
I don't think anyone is suggesting that that if Shaun doesn't sign, or signs and gets hurt, that "we're done".
ReplyDeleteHowever, he DOES SIGN and DOES PLAY without getting hurt, would you agree that we'd be in a better position?
What I'm saying is that while there may be good backs that could run behind this line, Shaun is leading that pack, if for no other reason than the experience he has in doing so.
Posted by alba
"Emmitt Smith was just an average RB behind a great line, so was Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson, Jim Brown etc. "
ReplyDeleteI think you nailed it there monkey, these fellas as well as Shaun are just average. Consistently getting more yards and touchdowns year after year is an overrated method of judging an NFL running back. It's so obvious the proper method, although it escapes me now. Sarcasm off.
I would admit the SA is not the MVP of the team. Either Walt, Robbie, or really Lofa is the MVP. Lofa being there is based on the massive amount of better-ness that the D is, and he seems to be the catalyst.
I also think it would be pretty easy to argue that there isn't an MVP on this team, all parts are equally valuable.
Posted by JoSCh
That's called SYNERGY JoSCh, and it's a good thing!
ReplyDeletePosted by alba
Ummm...Vin you just don't get it dude! The point is we are a much better team WITH SA than without him. We are a much better team with SA running behind this great line than with MoMo or for that matter ANY OTHER RB IN THE LEAGUE!
ReplyDeleteThe point is, why would you NOT want to resign the leagues leading rusher? Just because you think you can still be competitive without him? Sure we could, but are we superbowl caliber without him? NOPE! He is the difference between 7-2 and 5-4 or 6-3. He is the diffence between making the playoffs and going nowhere, and making the playoffs and winning the whole damn thing!
Don't you get it Vin, we're trying to field the best team possible so we can win the Superbowl. If we don't resign SA then we are not fielding the best team possible.
Vin, honestly your hatred of SA is clouding your ability to see what everyone else in the country sees, it is clouding your ability to be even slightly objective.
The point is we are better with him, than without him, we are better with SA than with any other RB in the game, period end of story. I want to win a superbowl Vin, not prove to the world that we can get rid of our most talented player and still be competitive. Have you seen what has happened in Philadelphia without T.O. Vin? Same thing would happen here without SA. Honestly your stubborn persistence that SA isn't that great in spite of the fact that he is likely to be the leagues MVP, T.D. leader and yardage leader, with over 2000 yards, is flat out wierd. If any RB in the NFL were doing what SA were doing you would have to say he was the best, but your inexplicable hatred of this OBVIOUSLY great RB has clouded your judgment to the point where you now sound like a lunatic.
How long are you going to try to convince us that what we see week after week after week, isn't what we are really seeing? How long can you stand in the middle of a hurricane and try to convince us it's just a light drizzle and a breeze?
BTW Vin, you said that I have a man crush on SA, NOT TRUE AT ALL!
ReplyDeleteHe's not even close to being my favorite player on this team. Not even close!
I just don't pretend that all the numbers, all the yards, touchdowns, all the consistency over the last five years don't mean anything!
I just don't ignore every single means that can be used for measuring talent, and credit all of it to something else like you do.
If the entire OLine were hurt and SA ran for 150 yds, with 3 T.D.s you would try to convince me that it was because defenses were scared of Hass throwing the ball that he did it. No matter what SA does it will never be good enough for you. Being the best in the NFL isn't good enough, you still find reasons to bit*h about him! It makes no sense!
To Vin's defense, I think his concern is not so much with SA, as it is with us breaking the bank to keep him at the expense of losing other key free agents, like Hutch and JJ, or not being able to sign impact players from other teams.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with this in PRINCIPLE, there's NO WAY IN HELL that Ruskell and Reinfeldt will sink us back into cap hell like that.
I'm actually happy that the team hasn't had a knee-jerk reaction to SA's success, which means that they're really 'sharpening their pencils' in coming up with a fair and balanced agreement for both sides.
I'm also extactic that SA is not negotiating this contract in the press. Will ALL the attention being thrown his way, and with having a bully pulpit with is regular gig on BDSSP, he could be whining and moaning #81-style (sorry, refuse to use that guy's name or initials anymore) which would only make matters worse, and be a major distraction to the team.
We have a GREAT running back and a GREAT front office. There are caring, rational, quality, honorable men on both sides of the bargaining table, and I have complete faith that something equitable will be done before the end of the season.
Posted by alba
Vinny,
ReplyDeleteI know you've been a long time Seahawks fan, and it's been a long, hard road. We've all been abused by good teams and their fans for a long time. In short, it's been a bittersweet hell.
But we need to talk about how you continue to rip on the best player on the team, who is now a legit NFL MVP candidate, now that the team has found some success.
Think about all those hard years, Vinny, and how you felt all those years.
It's not your fault.
It's not your fault.
ReplyDeleteIt's not your fault.
ReplyDeleteIt's not your fault.
ReplyDeleteIt's not your fault.
ReplyDeleteIt's not your fault.
ReplyDeleteIt's not your fault.
ReplyDeleteBWAHHAHAHAAAHAA. C'mon, give us a hug Vin Damon. If you do we could win an academy award with your talentless partner Bennie!
ReplyDeleteRe the synergy and it's inherent goodness, that was kinda my point. I don't think anyone on the team is more valuable than the next, and more importantly, I don't think anyone on the team does either.
"breaking the bank to keep him at the expense of losing other key free agents, like Hutch and JJ, or not being able to sign impact players from other teams. " That's BS, they find cap room. I would argue "Who exactly other than our own do you want to sign?" but there is no way of knowing who'll be available, and I agree (concede even) that blowing all the cap dollars before they hatch is a bad idea, but Shaun is not looking for LT/Portis/Duece $$, he is looking for Jordan/Westbrook/R Johnson deal. He knows how old he is and he knows his spot. If he doesn't, its going to be a long FA period for him, or some other team will get burned bad. But who has the need and the means to sign him? Probably not many contenders in that sweepstakes, plus Edge is FA again, most likely. If this team cannot support a reasonable deal for a better than average RB (this one can, and I believe will) then they cannot be better than average.
One question I would ask, if the option were still available, would you franchise Shaun, at 7 or 8 mil? Because that is probably a bit more than his yearly cap hit is going to be.
And I have the man-crush on Shaun... I think it's the smile. That or the Shaun Alexander Foundation, the fact that he isn't a thug, isn't a media whore (he is a flirtatious media darling), hasn't been convicted, arrested, or even accused of anything, and he IS the best running back in the NFL, at least according to stats and stuff.
Posted by JoSCh
JoSCh - what do I need to do to change my status from Feedback Whore to Feedback Media Darling?
ReplyDeleteAnd Bluefoot, is it Vin's fault? I'm not sure how you feel about that?
Posted by alba
Get a gap between your teeth, claim every good post was divine intervention, start using Holmgren-ism's. Goodness gracious. Couple of touchdowns a game wouldn't hurt either...
ReplyDeleteThe "its not your fault" is referring to Good Will Hunting, that or I am seriously off base by calling him Vin Damon...
Posted by JoSCh
Have no idea if anyone has noticed, but I really don't have anything to say on this subject with Shaun Alexander.
ReplyDeleteLike him or not, we're stuck with him this year...he won't magically get released or traded before we play SF...so im rooting for him...
For the record...I don't mind keeping him at all...depending on the definition of 'long term' (5 years is the most I would go)
Posted by adp
Monkey yo're, again simplifying what i'm trying to get across, alba get's what I'm saying.
ReplyDeleteI'm not willing to give up on filling other crucial roster spots, D Line, Ssecondary, HUTCH, Right Side of the O-line, HB ( :) )
This teams good, but it could be sooo much better with some money to throw at top name FAs in the off-season.
I line what JoSCh said, there is no MVP on this team, every player is eaually important here.....Cowboys game is a case in point. STs and defense saved us in that game. Shaun had little to do with that win, nor did Matt and the WRs.
Monkey I knew this would fire you up, but I have a right to my opinion, just as you had a right to yours in the off-season (remember the off-season?)
Does anyone remember the off-season? Hard to believe you were all ready to clean house at the Coaching spots, and I'm sure you're still on the Rhodes bashing wagon, though it's still his scheme being used.
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi
And monkey, every play is like the one shown on this thread, big hole, great blocks downfield by WRs and TEs (and the QB).
ReplyDeleteTo even 'hint' that SA's doing any of this on his own is ridiculous IMO. And I seriously doubt he'd be having the success he's having here on another team that you mentioned....Packers particularly(no O-line)
Josch, you said he's not looking for top $, how do you know this, when did they release this info, I missed it.
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubt it. Though he's not demonstrative, he 'is' proud, and to think he's asking for second tier money is hard to believe. Not to mention thinking the team wouldn't snatch him up for that money.
Monkey, say and think what ya want, but I'm think about the team's best interest here, and signing Shaun to anything longer than four or five years would be a mistake IMO.
ReplyDeleteAnd worrying about signing him right now is a waste of great football, so lets just sit back and enjoy the season, and let the chips fall where they may.
"I'm not willing to give up on filling other crucial roster spots, D Line, Ssecondary, HUTCH, Right Side of the O-line, HB " because I can't/won't let it go... we can still sign FA's after giving FRANCHISE QUALITY players their due contract... see Hasselback, Matt and Jones, Walter this year. Sign Shaun and Hutch now! Pay them contracts that are in line with their production, a bit of historical production and more importantly estimated future production. Any D Line, Secondary, Right Side of the O-line, HB we sign are going to be depth signings btw, I don't think you can get much better production than what we have now realistically, particularly at high quality FA prices. For instance, you want to sign the best FA DE. How much did Kearse get. I won't even get into production, to get the marquee player, how much you gonna spend? How bout secondary. Marquee FA CB is going to get Lucas $$$. Is that what you want to cut Shaun for? Again, not a production thing against Lucas. What FA signing in recent history made a team that much better, particularly if that meant letting go of an intregral part of their top rated offense? I just don't see why signing him to a fair deal stops us from signing Hutch, or an impact FA or three. And I certainly can't understand why someone wouldn't want him signed to a fair deal.
ReplyDeletePosted by JoSCh
Sorry if anyone else is pissed, but someone's got to look at this from another perspective.....tell ya what, 'you' tell me why the FO hasn't agreed to a contract if you don't like my scenario.
ReplyDeleteVin I'm not really pissed.
ReplyDeleteWho was suggesting anything longer than a 5 year deal for SA? No one that would be stupid, he's too old for anything longer.
And who said that we would only be able to sign him by sacrificing someone else? The cap numbers DON'T reflect that sentiment at all Vin, we will have plenty of moola to sign SA and resign the guys we need to keep.
Also you said that you would rather throw money at great free agents? Like who? Name one that would be a better free agent pick up than SA if he were a free agent. You can't! Because if he were a free agent he would be the best free agent out there no matter who else is there.
You say you're thinking about the good of this team, and obviously you are. The problem is you are looking too far down the road, for my taste. You see Vin, I want to WIN and WIN NOW! We're just *holding fingers closely together* this close to being a super bowl team. If we let SA walk we will be *holding fingers much further apart* this close to a superbowl.
Haven't we waited long enough? Honestly when we're this close to a superbowl I no longer give a crap about 5 years down the road. It's time to take our shot now, while we are this close. And the RB who gives us the best chance for a superbowl is the one wearing #37 for the Seahawks.
If you are worried about him aging, that won't likely happen for a few years yet. I figure he has at least 4 good years left in him, maybe more, so why start all over again with another back (who would at best be an unknown commodity and only maybe be as good, but not likely) when we already have the best option there?
I'm thinking of the next few years while the window of opportunity is still open and you're talking long term. Honestly Vin, I understand (a little anyway) your thinking here, but we will not get any closer to a ring with another RB.
Not unless Ladanian is a free agent next season (and he is not last I checked).
You yourself said that this is a great team, so what free agent are you looking at that we need so badly that we give up the leagues best RB to get him? The Hawks have the #1 offense in the NFL with him, so why get someone else when we already have the best? Why get a lesser RB, where is our desperate need for a free agent? I don't see too many holes on this team do you? Just look at the list of free agents available next year, there is not one name on that list that can fill SA's shoes, much less is more valuable to this team than he is. Not one free agent available next season is anywhere near worth letting SA go to get, not one.
As far as the FA's we don't know who's out there yet, at numerous tasty positions, not just Hb, but as far as HBs, again I don't know who's going to be available, nor do you.....perhaps a 'better' fit than Shaun....imagine....a MORE productive back.....who's to say for sure no other back with a different atyle couldn't put up even better numbers behind our Pro Bowl O-line.
ReplyDeleteI have to say this again at the risk of being shot at...but I seriously think you're undeerestemating the 'rest' of this offense.....don't forget Matt's been playing without a pair of healthy starting WRs. They've looked good, but are you going to tell me that Matt couldn't be ten times better with Jackson (his go-to-guy) in the games. Not to mention he and bobby still need to get back into a rythem.
I'm sorry Monkey but I think you've reverted back to pre-season form...not respecting this team's true potential.
And the give away.....making it sound like they have no shot at the Big Show 'this' season. Which they do, as I've said from day one (oh ye of little faith)
My biggest problem is I personally think after watching the games with my perspective, that the Hawks 'could' do it with another Back (any of the top ten)
And don't take any of this as hating on him, I definitely do not. He's a class act, and a great runner. I'm just not going to work up a lather over whether he signs or not, nor will I freak out (as many will) if he's not re-signed.
We'll just have to move on, and trust in Ruskell. :D
And with that shpeel, I'll end all further discussinn of Shaun until the season's over.
Right after the Super Bowl. ;)
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi
Must.... stop... replying.... can't... resist....
ReplyDelete"who's to say for sure no other back with a different style couldn't put up even better numbers behind our Pro Bowl O-line. "
Who's to say one can. You cannot argue with the results. You can speculate another back would produce similar or better numbers, but the fact it Shaun is the back now, and he is the best back in the NFL now. You cannot deny that.
I disagree with para 2, 3, 4, and 5, not with what you are saying about the Hawks, but what you are saying about monkey. monkey never said any of that. I think, and I believe monkey would agree, that Matt is currently the best QB for this offense. Peyton Manning wouldn't be an upgrade. No WR help needed either, especially once D-Jack gets back. Chad Johnson would be a good addition, but not necessary (I love them gold teeth, and his game). I wouldn't really want anyone else. This team is just about perfect. Keeping Shaun keeps it just about perfect, and no other RB would make it better.
Para 6 and 7, Amen. I think its fair to say that if they don't resign Shaun, its because Shaun wanted a bigger contract than they were willing to pay. If that were the case, well, "trust in Ruskell" has been the mantra all year.
"I'll end all further discussion of Shaun until the season's over." Don't do that, he still has records to break, and could be signed prior to the end of the season. Still could be stuff to talk about.
BTW, nobody is pissed. Nobody should be anyway. It's a fan blog, with fans expressing opinions, agreeing and disagreeing, and making observations. The U.N. it ain't. If everyone thought the same things it would be pretty boring... I like the fact that you have different opinions. Just my thoughts.
Posted by JoSCh
I think, and I believe monkey would agree, that Matt is currently the best QB for this offense. Peyton Manning wouldn't be an upgrade.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree completely. Manning couldn't run the play-action bootleg passes as effectively as Matt, and that play is fundamental to the success of the offense this season.
Posted by Bluefoot
"I'll end all further discussion of Shaun until the season's over." Don't do that, he still has records to break, and could be signed prior to the end of the season. Still could be stuff to talk about.
ReplyDeleteAmen, bro.
I'm sure you guys will cover all that nicely.
ReplyDeletePosted by vinnyhawkalugi
Dont you love how the media has come crawling back on its knees to us?
ReplyDeleteMichael Irvin was at team headquarters this past week, along with someone else (cant remember who)...you know Irvin had to be forced to go...but ESPN and USA Today suddenly are interested in us...
We all know they are only here for Shaun, anyway...whether thats a good or bad thing, i dunno...but i certainly want shaun to keep producing if its helping the team
Posted by adp
IMO, SA should be signed both because he is, if not the best, then among the best RB's in football right now, AND just as importantly, he brings attention and respect to the Seahawks. He is the one that is on the national shows. And because he is the Anti-TO, the attention he brings, and WILL bring to the Seahawks if he gets signed and stays for his career, is an overwhelmingly positive thing. The past few weeks the media has been obsessed with TO and all his crappy behavior. SA is the complete opposite of that. He's truly a good guy off the field. He has a HEALTHY pride in his accomplishments. Rewarding his accmolishments AND his behavior will send a message - you don't have to be an a-hole to succeed. Good guys can achieve great things. Signing him will not only be good for the Seahawks, it will be good for the entire NFL. Right now there are entirley too many overly selfish players in the NFL. A decade or so ago, we saw that happen in the NBA - just look at the Trailblazers. And while there were certainly other factors involved, NBA interest has dropped considerably since then. TO and a few others threaten the NFL with a similar decline, IMO, and teams like the Seahawks, the Patriots, etc., and players like SA, are the antidote.
ReplyDeletePosted by highwatermark
High (may I call ya High?), that's the best arguement I've heard yet for keeping him.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post dude.
I love this plase!
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi
Agreed, great post.
ReplyDeletePosted by Bluefoot
Well, there's one more thing the Seahawks lead the league in, which is having "Anti" guys on the team.
ReplyDeleteSean Locklear = Anti-Heather
Shaun Alexander = Anti-#81
(sorry, refuse to us his name or initials any longer)
Posted by alba
I thought JJ was the Anti-#81
ReplyDeleteDoes that make Lofa the Anti-Brown or Anti Simmons?
Posted by vinnyhawkalugi