The answer is better run blocking regardless of who is carrying the ball.

Although I like and respect Shaun a lot, it would seem to be getting toward the time for the Hawks to also be eyeing future drafts for potential replacements.

I agree with Foo. We could have the best running back in the league and it wouldn't really matter with our offensive line issues. Once that is taken care of, I then think Shaun could still be productive, but I also feel it might be best to part ways. Bring in some new RB's and FB's behind a revamped O-line and let them get the job done. It'll hurt either way though salary cap wise. It's just a matter of when Seattle wants it to hurt the most--now or later. This is going to be very sticky and difficult for decision for the Hawks to make. Best of luck---we the fans have our collective fingers crossed.

I agree with Foo -- The answer is better run blocking regardless of who is carrying the ball.

It's about the O' line. What made Shaun great in 2005 is the Jones/Hutch duo. I hate to bring this up again but letting go of Hutch and keeping Shaun is where the problem started.

Can't blame everything on Shaun but I will say that he just gives up on plays and falls downs before he even gets hit. It's like he's scared to get get hit and fight for an extra few yards.

To me Marion Barber is the perfect example of how a RB should be fighting for that extra yard!

I say let go of Shaun. The Hawks can find a RB that fights for that extra yard.

"This is going to be a very difficult and sticky decision for the Hawks to make." I agree 100% with that. Also, I'm glad Seattle has a deep core of receivers, because Branch won't be back in full gear until around mid-season, if at all. I seriously doubt a guy that relies on speed and his cutting ability to get open, will be back prior the second half of the season. When he does come back, it will take some time for him to get into game shape and get used 'game' speed vs. 'practice' speed. Also, do we keep DJ Hackett? He has been off the field more that he as been on it the last few years. The dilema with him though is the fact that he's good. However, can he stay healthy? Here's an idea: Seattle should consider getting another backup QB and use Wallace as a wide out. Along with that, we need to develope Obomanu, Taylor and Payne. Also, what to do about both ends of the lines, especially the O-line. Draft? Trades? Finally, we can't keep Pollard at TE. He never seemed to be a good fit and the other TE's we have are for running blocking and special teams play. That is one area that really needs to be addressed during the off season. Lots of questions, so little answers......don't just cross your fingers, say a prayer too.

Clearly, despite the offensive line, Alexander is not the back he used to be. He's reached that magical 30-year-old line where backs typically slow down. He hasn't been healthy the last two years.
While I think he can still be useful, he needs to be a team player, accept he is not as effective as he was and volunteer to restructure his contract. It was easy to see in Green Bay that the defense still is vulnerable, so the Seahawks may need to make another key pick-up there, as well as perhaps going after a new feature back in free agency.
But the biggest concern to me is keeping Marcus Trufant. If the Seahawks lose him after his magnificent season but still keep Alexander and his overpriced contract, that will not be acceptable.

Guess Shaun may find out what Ricky Watters felt like back in 2001, the approaching footsteps of Mo' Morris, or perhaps someone else? Now Mo's been here quite a bit longer than Shaun had been when he took over. I figure Shaun will hang around, but only if he agrees to renegotiate. He might not...

I wouldn't expect Branch to be anywhere close to full stride by December - this is a 9-month recovery to even get back on the field, and I doubt he would be back at 100% (whatever that was) for a few games. Surgery isn't for at least a week. Amazing that suddenly re-signing DJ Hackett could become a priority.

Hmm, resign Shaun? Well what the worst that could happen if we get rid of him? We could get another back that only gets 2.5 yds per carry. Let him go and let him dissapoint some other team. Fact of the matter is no O'line is good enough to block for the aging back and i think its about time he started to own up to it.

I agree about the offensive line - it's needs fixing... bad. For Shaun, Holmgren was right that he's still a valuable commodity in the league. If the Seahawks don't strike RB gold in the draft, it would be best to keep him for another year at least. He was open to the idea of the RBBC (running back by committee) role with Mo (or a new RB) and the team would save money for a free agent RB in 2009.

That said, I don't believe Mo is the future. Despite his limited success, he, too, is getting older (28), and it won't be very productive to replace a former MVP with an average back for two years at a $6.9 million salary cap hit. To replace Shaun, it would take a stud draft choice or a star free agent/trade, but there's not much out there. Signing Michael Turner from San Diego, for example, would seem to make sense to push Shaun.

The point is that Shaun should stay (hopefully take a pay cut) and sign someone like Turner or a draft choice to challenge him in training camp and the preseason. Shaun can't be the assumed starter anymore. Plus, he'd serve as a valuable mentor for a young RB, like Ricky Watters did for Shaun.

Shaun isn't washed up, but his time is running out. It's time to step up or watch the game from the sidelines.

I like the idea of restructuring his contract so that it is loaded with incentives. As he reaches certain levels of performance such as total yards, yards per carry, touchdowns, etc. his pay would go up. That way Shaun could still earn his high salary if he performs the way he did the year before he got the big contract.

na na na na
na na na na
hey hey
good-bye shaun

i would say the problem lies with the o-line. shaun has never been a power running back. he's always relied on his cuts and good balance to gain yardage. he isn't physical enough to create success on his own. a running back like him needs holes to open up so he can make the secondary miss tackles. either fix the o-line, or let shaun go. obviously the current combination isn't working for us right now. if the o-line continues to be lackluster, we need a power running back that can force yardage right down the middle. the lack of balanced attack is killing us offensively.

Can't put too much pressure on the "O" line cause they did a pretty good job protecting Hasselbeck, but I do agree that they need to touch up that line and possibly put shaun on the back burner for a while until the Hawks come up with the next and upcomming RB that is younger, faster,and ready to take hits and fight for the extra yards if needed on every play.

If shaun isn't selfish and is down to reconstruct his contract to get a pay cut to clear up some cap room, that would be good to at least have him around for insurance and if the Hawks don't work on getting a new RB, give the time and load to Mo Morris. Weaver as a HB is good, he may need a little more work, but he will be a good HB for years to come.

the consensus is that we need an offensive tackle & guard that can block and open holes. the great thing about hutch was he could block while running laterlly thus stretching the defense and giving shaun a chance at picking a lane. we're talking finding a big guy or two (near impossible) that can come togather and play the line, fresh out of the draft. i would say that would be a near impossibility in 1 year, and any free agent worth his salt will be locked up, unless we pull a Minnesota on someone.keep Holmy,DJ, Tru, Weaver, SA (if he cuts)also shop for some line help on BoTH SidES of the ball, blow out all your birthday candles and hope next year will be better.

We need to cut Shaun, plain and simple. Do not blame the line for Shauns bad running. I dont see Matt getting sacked every time he drops back, do you. Sure we need to replace Chris Gray, but thats about it. If you look at game film you would see that Shaun falls down before contact 75% of the time. The holes are there, he just isn't hitting the hole hard enough. Mo Morris isn't the answer either. We should cut Shaun, and get a stud in the draft. We should also trade up in the draft to ensure that we get the back that we want.

We need to sign Marcus Trufant to a long term contract, maybe even give him the "franchise" tag. Yes he's worth that much. Another thing, I'm so sick of hearing about how Seattles defensive line needs improvement. When you reley on speed, and it snows in a game. You tend tonot get off the ball as quick. Plus, when you face a team that has ran the ball very well the second half of the season in weather like that your doomed to fail. our guys were slipping and sliding everywhere. Their offensive line is much bigger then our defensive line, so in a snow game they can basically just lean on us and win the battle. Thats what happened.

We should also cut Deon Branch, Pollard, Tubbs, and anyne else that has proved to be a bust. The reson why I say get rid of Branch is because the guy is a walking infirmiry. He's constantly injured. Same with Tubbs. Plus it looks like even if we keep Branch he will likely miss next season with that calf injury. One idea is to put Senaca Wallace in at reciever and get a "real" backup Qb.

I think Shaun Alrxander should stay on the seahawlks as long as he can.
Go Seahawlks!!!!!