This is to figure out if you think Shaun Alexander will stay. Not if you want him to stay but if you think he will stay there's a difference you know. Will Shaun Alexander be with the defending NFC Championshs for next year or will he leave for another team? What do you think? I wanna know!
Earlier in the season i was pretty optimistic that we would re-sign Shaun Alexander. Now i really don't think so. I was hoping that Shaun would be more willing to bargain if we went deep into the playoffs. Well we made to the big game and Shaun saids it doesn't change a thing that it is two seperate things.
ReplyDeleteI think that other teams who are desperate for a running back will be willing to pay him more money than we are. I think that Shaun doesn't care where he is as long as he is gettin the big bucks. I also think that Shaun is lying when he says he wants to stay here, but thats just me.
I love Shaun Alexander and all he has done for the Seahawks but I don't think he will be back playin in Seattle next year. I don't know how many teams have let the league MVP walk but i think this team will. Good bye Shaun Alexander, or atleast in my opinion.
P.S if Alexander walks and comes to Qwest to play i will be booooooing him just as if he was A-Rod.
The way i see it if a deal doesn't get done its because of Alexander comanding too much money.
I think it's 50/50 right now.
ReplyDeleteHe may get a better offer money wise, or he ay get an offer from a team that has realistic post season chances and a good OLine, but he won't find the combination of money and a good OLine/ team with a chance, outside of Seattle. That is why I can still see him returning.
Just to throw this out there, IF he leaves, I want the Hawks to get a RB in the draft, I really don't believe in Momo. The guys I would like them to target...Brian Calhoun Wisc. Jerome Harrison Wazzu and Maurice Drew (I don't care that he's small!)
ReplyDeletei do not think he will be back. looking back on the lucas situation last year, the same situation will occur. we will offer good money but he will head somewhere else, thinking the grass is greener. who he will go to has yet to be seen though.the contenders cannot afford him, and the pretenders will try to get him but end up settling for a cheaper option.we will be fine though as we have a creative front office who will find a suitable replacement.
ReplyDeletePosted by rev seahawk
Carolina would be a great fit for SA but they are really up against it cap wise. Even if they don't resign FOster, they will still be way too far into the cap to offer him what we can.
ReplyDeleteBeing a Pac 10 guy Drew would be nice. He is small but small guys are good in the west coast offense. Harrison would be good too but as always i am worried about durability.
ReplyDeletePosted by meezy
BTW does that have anything to do with the encomendo system CitK?
ReplyDeleteSort of, Citk, but in actuality, the only guaranteed money is the up front money, the bonus money.
ReplyDeleteSo it kinda depends, if the Hawks were to sign Alexander to a 15 year 200 million contract, only the upfront money counts against the cap, so realistically, whatever the Hawks offer him in say, the first...aww heck, what do I know.
Where's Irish Greg when we need him, he is a real capologist.
I'm actually more interested in your take on women in the South American colonial period!
The encomenda system was more or less a slave system, one where women had bascially zero rights whatsoever. Though I had not heard the term obraje before, I can prertty much guess that it wasn't exactly a good deal for the Latin American women of the colonial period. The Spanish had some pretty brutal ideas about people back then.
In a way, signing bonuses are ALL that really counts. I guess that was what I was trying to say with mmy last rambling post. That's because the signing bonus is guaranteed and so counts against the cap.
ReplyDeleteUnless of course I am completely wrong, which is HIGHLY possible, as I willingly admit I know next to nothing about the economics of football.
I don't know much about human biology, but I think colonial periods are gross. In any country.
ReplyDeletePosted by Bluefoot
All this talk about the female encomendo system has me rejecting my bowl of ice cream. Thanks
ReplyDeleteIm with monkey on this one (surprise...)...its 50/50 right now.
ReplyDeleteShaun has already shown his love towards records and history openly, and he really can only accomplish most of those goals in Seattle.
Shaun seems to genuinely want to stay, and seems to want a fair deal, which is understandable...as he does deserve it, if not just for his lack of complaining during his contract (a rarity these days...)
On the flipside, I dont see how Carolina would be able to afford him at his price, unless they part with Stephen Davis or whoever else...Arizona, IMO is stupid enough to go all out for him---that oline is horrible, and he will probably get a reputation of being a traitor similar to Okeafor should he go there, but money talks, and we'll see if hes willing to sacrifice all he has here to go to that place
There are definitely some wild card teams out there we probably don't know about yet...(Jags? NE? NYJ?)...we never know...
I think he leaves. Not to Carolina nor Arizona though...some secret team will come out of nowhere and sign him...of course, this is considering him making the market...it really depends on how he plays the market...will he try to use other teams to drive up the price?...or will he honestly come back to the Seahawks and let them know his every move, to see if they match?
Oh, and ignore ESPN as much as possible, they are really throwing out dumb stuff these days, if not for the annoying employees, then for the false info they constantly squirt out of their imaginations...
Also, on a side note, FA might be pushed back until April, should something happen with the CBA
Posted by adp
I think the team outside of Seattle that could give him the best deal, not just in terms of money, but a good OLine and overall team, and MIGHT just be able to find enough cash as well, is Jacksonville.
ReplyDeleteOnce they get rid of their eternally injured RB they MIGHT have enough money to do it. And they have a good team as well.
Sorry about your icecream BLue! LOL!
ReplyDeleteAll money counts against the cap. A player is offered a contract in essentially two parts, the signing bonus and the yearly salary (excluding other bonuses such as roster bonuses). The yearly salary counts against the cap as long as the player is playing. The bonus is prorated over the life of the contract and this amount counts against the cap each year. If a player is cut, his salary no longer counts toward the cap, but the bonus money remaining counts in a single lump sum toward the cap.
ReplyDeleteFor example, suppose they sign SA to a contract with 20M in bonus that pays a salary of 5M each year for 5 years and they cut him after year three. 4M counts against the cap from the bonus in each of the first three years as does his salary of 5M for a total of 9M. In year four, his salary no longer counts but the remaining 8M of bonus counts in that year. Thus, his year four cap number would be 8M and then he would be off the books.
Posted by mfan
Being a Pac 10 guy Drew would be nice. He is small but small guys are good in the west coast offense. Harrison would be good too but as always i am worried about durability.
ReplyDeletePosted by meezy
Don't let an impression of lack of durability mask the truth with Harrison. Yes Harrison is undersized, no de does not lack durability. This guy played every game his senior year, carrying 35-40 times every game. His lowest output was 113 yards, cause they benched the starters at halftime. Durability is not an issue, this guy is tough, and actually has among the better hands coming for a RB in the draft this year.
Posted by check
And we WILL be taking a RB in this draft regardless of SA. Don't overlook the fact that MoMo is an UFA as well, and I don't see the motivation to resign him.
ReplyDeletePosted by check
I think SA will come back to us by default. There isn't really another team in need of a running back. Those that do either have so many other needs (Arizona) or are pressed for cap space (Carolina) that its not likely that anyone else will sign him. Especially considering there is a cheaper big name back in Edregin James, Shaun might be "forced" back to Seattle.
ReplyDeleteI won't be surprised if he goes into free agency, gets an offer from somebody, comes back to the Seahawks and gets a little more.
On a side note, as a college student, you are my hero Citizen K!
Posted by Alan
I think the biggest thing no one is discussing (except a passing comment by adp) is the CBA. If the free agency period does get pushed to April, I believe it will be because the CBA is close to being agreed upon. And as soon as the CBA is agreed upon, all teams will have more cash to spend, including Seattle. I believe that unless some team (like Arizona) is willing to spend a completely unreasonable amount for Shaun, he's going to return to Seattle. And the rumor here is that Arizona won't have that much cap room because they're going to try to trade for Daunte.
ReplyDeletePosted by PaulieP
Paulie,
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I also think Alexander re-signs. As others have pointed out Seattle offers the best combo of $, opportunity, and blocking.
But, I'll go one further on the CBA...
The issue here as I see it, faced by the entire NFL, is the basic structure of the cap. The NFL owners (surprise) once again are shooting themselves in the foot with their penny-pinching. They are classically penny-wise and pound foolish.
The entire rationale for a cap is summed up in two fairly decriptive phrases: cost certainty and competitive balance. An owner knows going into the season how much can be allocated to the cap. Also, big revenue owners (e.g., Jerr'eh Jones and Daniel Snyder) are forced to make choices. They can't just buy up the whole market.
The problem, of course, is that cost certainty comes at the price of continuity and development. By the time teams develop they have to be blown up; case in point: the 2000 Baltimore Ravens.
The solution: the NFL needs a softer cap to incentivise continuity and development. The owners could sacrifice **some** (not all) cost certainty to acheive this. It would allow the league, as per the words of our esteemed leader to, "grow the pie higher."
The cap doesn't necessarily need to be NBA-soft but the league should provide each team with about 4-5 exceptions per season. The franchise and (never utilized) transition tags don't work. In fact, if you factor in the acrimony they often build between a player and the franchise the tags aren't just ineffective they are counter-productive. They restrict player movement but at the cost of lowering incentives to do a long-term deal and raising their incentives to hold out (c.f., Jones, Walter).
Cap exceptions would allow the league to address its parity problem. Let's face it, right now the game isn't being played as well as it should be. A big reason the NFL is suffering from this "regression to the mediocre" is the incessant roster turnover, especially at critical positions. Teams are turning over a third of their roster per season; and this is the "settled down" version of free agency, nothing like the tumultuous first few seasons of Plan B.
Fans are in the position of constantly asking guys like Alexander, who only get one shot at a megga-boffo payday, to give the home-town discount. Even if they do they still may have to lower their cap number again two years later, often irrespective of on-field performance. The system is economically irrational. A player like Alexander, closer to the end of his useful life, has to break the bank or risk being cut in two years.
With cap exceptions, modeled loosely on the NBA, the NFL could easily "cap" and guarantee 4-5 set salary increases per team to which optional bonuses could be added. (Competing teams would have to outbid based solely on signing bonus, thus incentivising staying with the home team.) Right now, all the player incentive is to move, except for the tag. With exceptions the league still preserves cost certainty--now it's a range instead of a fixed number--but have now shifted the incentive structure to keep a team's core in place.
Posted by dave crockett
First, there's a good post on NFL.com about the effects of an "uncapped year", and they're really not as drastic as many are lead to believe.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I'm only a fan of the Seahawks, so I'm not as jaded about other Seattle superstars leaving in free agency. That said, I don't think we should crucify Shaun should he sign with another team. He gave us sever great years and helped us get to a Super Bowl.
If he doesn't sign, it just means that the FO's offer wasn't enough to keep him from testing the FA waters, and probably is an indication that the FO thinks any good back can be great behind our O-Line. It's not personal, it's strictly business.
I personally think Shaun will remain a Seahawk for these reasons, many of which have already been stated:
* the FO will not want to deal with the embarrassment of letting the MVP walk
* Shaun is a man of his word and will stay in Seattle if the FO "comes correct".
* the grass ISN"T always greener on the other side
* there's a chemistry between Shaun, Mack and the O-Line
So, while I'm hopeful, I still won't be bitter if he winds up in a different uni next season. It's just the way sports work these days.
Posted by alba
Great post Dave. And Alba too. I think this is the first Shaun Alexander post that has made it to 25 posts without any angry words. very indicitave of the style of blogging we've become so proud of here.
ReplyDeletePosted by PaulieP
My only problem with the "FO being embarrassed" thing is that they really would have nothing to be embarrassed about if they offer a decent contract and he turns it down.
ReplyDeleteIn reality it's going to be about whether he's greedy or not.
I think he is.
Posted by Vin
I don't see what greed has to do with it.
ReplyDeleteIn reality, it will come down to whether or not the F.O. feels that a RB is worth the money he projects to get, after an MVP record breaking season. Greed has nothing to do with it.
Vin, I don't understand why you enjoy character assassinating Alex so much, you have never met the guy, you don't know him, you don't know what he really believes or thinks...why go after his character? This is about football, it is about business, and what is best for the team, and for SA personally. Why call his character into question?
Vin - if you think Lucas was "greedy" for going to Carolina last year, then I'll let your comment stand. Otherwise, you can't hold Shaun up to a higher standard than the other free agents.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I agree with Monkey, if Shaun leaves, I won't consider him 'greedy', nor did I think Lucas was greedy in walking last year.
Posted by alba
My feelings on Lucas' departure was well documented, but to update....I'm still wishing a failed season on that greedy bastard, he was on a winning team heading to the Super Bowl, and instead of allowing the team to get him for "reasonable" money, he bolted for greener pastures. I hope his career nose dives.
ReplyDeleteSame for that greedy a** Chike!
As I've said before, when you make the kind of money these guys make, it shouldn't be about the money, because if it is then it's about pride and glory, and if it's about that then it's about "You"...and if it's about you it can't be about the team.
If Shaun's a team player, and really cares about this team and it's fans he'll take the best offer the Hawks have and stay where he's been successful.
Posted by Vin
Monkey, I'd again like to reiterate, Shaun has taken out an insurance policy (injuy) that ensures "no matter what" his kid's grandkids are taken care of.
ReplyDeleteHe's already made how much money? Not just in contract money but in endorsements and such?
Tell me, if it's not about money then what's it about?
Personal Pride? Personal Glory?
It's not character assassination if it's true. I know what I see and read, I remember what's said and the context in which it was said. I think I know what's most important to Shaun Alexander.
Recognition.