Don't Expect Shaun Alexander to Be a Redskin For Very Long

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Redskins fans around the country are buzzing about the addition of running back Shaun Alexander. Needless to say, most of the buzzing isn't good.

Alexander's name is bigger than his game right now. The former MVP has been out of work all season and couldn't even catch on with his hometown Cincinnati Bengals -- the worst rushing team in the NFL.

The Redskins aren't asking Alexander to come in a dominate. They just need him to take on the Ladell Betts role of backing up Clinton Portis, the NFL's leading rusher. Betts will miss the next couple of weeks with a knee injury. Third stringer Rock Cartwright can also contribute but his main role in Washington is as a kick returner.

Alexander will see the ball. The question is now how long will he be around Redskins Park?

"Shaun is the kind of guy who is smart enough to understand the situation," [Redskins head coach] Jim Zorn said. "Clinton understands the situation. We said it could be temporary or it could run the full season. We are not going to put some sort of limitation on where we are at in four weeks, two weeks, however long it takes Ladell to get back."

It seems as if the "situation" is in the realm of temporary. Unless Alexander shows some of his old form and becomes a productive part of the offense, he will take his veteran minimum salary and go home when Betts is healthy.

Even though the Redskins are running the same passing offense Zorn and Alexander ran in Seattle, the running game still has a lot of elements from Joe Gibbs. Portis, Betts and Cartwright all are capable of catching the ball in routes. All are also capable in pass protection and routinely asked to block in the passing game.

Alexander isn't known for either of those things.

That's where Redskins fans end the love for the move. Alexander represents the past. He used to be good, he used to play with Zorn in Seattle and the Redskins used to sign washed-up players. The last two are now brought to the now, but I doubt the part of Alexander being good will.

Let's just hope he does minimal damage over the next couple of weeks.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-15-2008 @ 3:43PM

edgar said...

I cant believe we signed this soft, heartless scrub. Get Well Soon Ladell.

10-15-2008 @ 3:59PM

ollie said...

I do not think that Alexander is a scrub or that he is soft. I think he can help us reach our goal. which is the SUPER BOWL.

10-15-2008 @ 4:05PM

Rob said...

This guy is not a redskin: we have back-ups who are supposed to step-up when asked to. This should be Rock all the way.

10-15-2008 @ 4:17PM

Terrell said...

Rock Cartwright, Mike Sellers.....each one of these guys are better than Alexander. Rock is the bomb and theres no one tougher than Mike. We'll be ok till Ladell comes back. HAIL TO THE REDSKINS.

10-15-2008 @ 4:44PM

jamaqnel said...

Dont get me wrong. Shaun is a decent running back. Of course not nearly what he was. But, what i'm upset about is that we had a good up and coming running back that could do good in this situation, Marcus Mason. We had him in the last 2 years in the preseason and practice squad. He was the only running back who produced good numbers. I just have a feeling that, that is going to bite us in the you know what in years to come.

10-15-2008 @ 5:33PM

Vernard said...

I believe they made a great move by signing him. He is going to complement the backfield a whole lot since he has ties with the coaching staff and the West Coast Offense, for example, Jim Zorn when he was the quarterbacks coach in Seattle and Stump Mitchell when he was the running backs coach. Why do you think he was the MVP in 2005 when he had 28 touchdowns at that time? He didn't get that just by sitting on the sidelines looking. He did what he had to do to help Seattle win games. For those who think that he is soft and won't last long in Washington obviously hasn't watched him enough in Seattle to appreciate his style of play. Like Mike Sellars, he is a power runner and he can be reliable when he is healthy. As it is with any other player, injuries do occur and sometimes it can have an effect on your performance over a period of time. Before any of you start dogging him out, give him a chance to prove himself. Can't you guys see that he is hungry and ready to contribute to this team? I believe that he will do great things in a Redskins uniform. What better way to get back at your former team than in another uniform? I'm sure some of the Seattle players are going to get a good look at Shaun Alexander in a Redskin uniform. For those that don't know, we do play Seattle in Week 11 in Seattle and you best believe that he is looking forward to that matchup.

10-15-2008 @ 6:03PM

Chris said...

I agree with jamaqnel saying we should have kept a good back like Marcus Mason. He would've been a great complimentary back to Portis. Not that Portis needs much help he's running like a madman right now! Go Skins!