Redskins Likely to Sign Shaun Alexander

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The Washington Redskins are working out former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, and if all goes as planned they'll sign him to a contract on Tuesday.

Adam Schefter of NFL Network is reporting that Alexander will visit with the Redskins tomorrow, and assuming he passes his physical, the Redskins expect to sign him by the end of the day.

Alexander would serve as a backup to Clinton Portis. Ladell Betts, who usually serves as the Redskins' No. 2 running back, is expected to miss a couple of weeks after suffering a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Rams.

Alexander, the former league MVP, has gained 9,429 yards in his NFL career. But he's 31 years old and has averaged just three and a half yards a carry in the last two years. He might be able to log a few carries off the bench, but he's a shell of his former self.

Still, even though he's past his prime, Alexander has said for months that he wants to keep playing. The Bengals and Saints showed interest but decided not to offer him a contract. Now the Redskins are on the verge of signing him.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-13-2008 @ 8:24PM

A.J. said...

Oh, Marcus Mason...where art thou?? :-(

10-13-2008 @ 8:32PM

brenda said...

i think that it would be great if the redskins sign shaun alexander. he is a good player and i think that he will be an added addition to an already great team. not only is shaun a good player he is also a good person with a great personality and a good attitude. go shaun and good luck.

10-13-2008 @ 8:48PM

frank said...

hay coach z wheres the long ball at & shaun alexander wood be big plus to the offense to go get him

10-13-2008 @ 11:16PM

ken E said...

The Skins, being the class orginization that they are gave Mason a chance to sign where he could play more but he is still on a taxi squad, the Ravens. I would rather see him than Alexander but Alexander is the best available, knows Zorn, and is very capable He will be a good addition

10-13-2008 @ 11:53PM

Then why didn't the Steelers sign him? They were down to their 3rd-string running back in the last game.

Or the Ravens? They lost McGahee for a while and Rice got banged up.

Or the Bengals?

As much as I like Shaun Alexander, there are two reasons I don't think we should sign him:

1. I'm not quite sure he can pull himself back into shape in time for him to be of any use to us.

2. Betts' knee injury clearly isn't VERY long-term, so bringing in a guy like Alexander - provided he does well - could leave us with a rather awkward roster situation when Betts does get healthy.

That said, it's a moot point, anyways, because Clinton Portis just might be the hottest running back in football right now.

10-13-2008 @ 11:59PM

meast21 said...

we should sign marcus mason off the ravens practice squad rather than signing alexander, i think mason is a stud and could develop into something special

10-14-2008 @ 3:19PM

Ms.RedsWILLSkinDatAzz said...

ITA we should not have given up MASON..He is a BEAST!!
That dude is underrated!!
I like Shaun Alexander but I LOVE MASON!!

10-14-2008 @ 1:41AM

Casey Jones said...

Marcus Mason, Billy McMillian where are you! Lets see we have more draft picks than ever, we keep a punter we should have cut and the ONLY drafted player playing is a 7th round safety that a former coach recomended! Sounds like the scouting and player personnel folks are all over it. Then again, Vinnie has time to do a real shitty radio show, maybe he should focus on doing whatever it is he does to make Danny happy because he sure ain't no player personnel guy!

10-14-2008 @ 1:42AM

MDjuan said...

I was VERY angy that the skins didn't keep marcus mason!!!! he has much better vision and shifty illusive moves than any other back on the roster. he could take those long runs and turn them into touchdowns opposed to always running out of bounds like portis. mason did it in the pre-season. they should do their best to get him from the ravens practice squad.

alexander is finished and is a waste of time and a roster spot where mason to be a REAL contributor and future

10-14-2008 @ 8:40AM

ST21 said...

First off, HAIL TO THE MUDA F'N REDSKINS

ok, i do i agree that it will create a strange and unnecessary situation once Betts gets back. I also agree Mason should already be on the roster. He could not only come in to give Portis a breather, but he could be used in punt returns which we are probably the worst team in the league as far as yardage. And maybe he could do k/r with Cartwright. I dunno...we'll see what happens. All i can say, if Shaun is here, than welcome to the family.

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

10-14-2008 @ 1:01PM

pablo said...

sounds good to me. lol

10-14-2008 @ 1:41PM

Mr.Insidious said...

Shaun Alexander..... are you fing serious!?!? Are we officially the first and last stop team players, first stop for young prospects and last stop for past there prime players? Gimme a break.... why did we keep Rock Carwrights slow ass and get rid of Marcus Mason?? He's the biggest waste of a contract extension. Shaun Alexander.... I'd rather them just line Mike Sellers up back there and let him run people over.

10-15-2008 @ 12:56AM

Rock does a lot for us...he's a good return man, runs straight through and doesn't care to get hit. He also makes plays on special team on coverage so before you talk sh*t...get your facts right. That just another ignorant comment by another uneducated fanatic. I do agree we needed to keep mason but don't bash rock, he's a part of the family and I won't forget what he has done for us and will continue to do whether you like it or not. Nuff said.

Hail to the Redskins

10-14-2008 @ 3:24PM

James said...

For the first time in two years Shaun is healthy. I woulod like to see him play a few more years and show Seattle the mistake they made bye kicking him to the curcb the way they did. seattle's woes are multiple, but the biggest problem is they have NO running game at all.