Monday, January 03, 2005
MOVING ON...
After watching clips of Shaun Alexander's press conference on ESPN News, I just have one thing to say.
LET'S MOVE ON!
Did Alexander deserve to win the NFL rushing crown? Yes.
Did Mike Holmgren make the right call by having Matt Hasselbeck sneak it into the end zone? Yes and no.
Yes, because Hasselbeck scored. No, because it was 2nd-and-1. Give the ball to Alexander and he would have scored. However, it's important to note that Alexander had his chance to win the rushing crown, if he hadn't fumbled near the goal line in the Meadowlands and at St. Louis after a 35-yard run. Of course, Holmgren should have used him on 4th-and-1 at the Rams 38-yard line earlier in that game. But there is nothing that can be done about that now.
I can only hope that Alexander uses his anger from not getting the rushing crown and takes it out on the Rams defense on Saturday. It's a national stage and we all know that he loves the spotlight. There are folks who complain that Seattle doesn't get enough national spotlight. Well, here's the Seahawks' chance to show that they deserve the spotlight.
I for one can appreciate Alexander for being a competitor. Of course he wants to win the rushing title. He's one of the best running backs in football. He won the NFC rushing crown (1696) in a conference with stud backs such as Marshall Faulk, Ahman Green, Deuce McAllister, and Clinton Portis. That's impressive, no matter how you spin it.
How will this situation affect the Seahawks when they to re-sign Alexander once contract time rolls around? Right now, I could care less. There are more important things at hand right now, such as a first-round playoff game on Saturday. If Shaun keeps playing like he has been this entire season, then he and the Seahawks will be very happy.
In the two games the Seahawks played the Rams, Alexander ran very well against the Rams defense.
Oct. 10 in Seattle
23 carries, 150 yards, 1 TD, 6.5 yds/carry
Nov. 14 in St. Louis
22 carries, 176 yards, 0 TD, 8 yds/carry
Pretty good numbers, I'd say.
The gameplan is simple.
Run Shaun Run. Pressure Marc Bulger. And don't let Terreal Bierria step on the field.
Those three things happen, the Seahawks will win on Saturday. Well, the first two things are more possible, because we know that Bierria will step on the field at least once. But I can't get everything in life, you know.
I'm going to keep saying this all week long. If any of you are going to the game on Saturday, get loud as hell. It's not like you're watching a game in Safeco Field where you have to be quiet. (There's a long story behind that one, I'd rather not discuss it here)
The 12th Man has to come through on Saturday. It's been way too long for a Seahawks playoff victory. Try 20 years (12/22/84). For crying out loud, the Arizona Cardinals have won a playoff game during that timespan. So by all means, just win on Saturday, Seahawks.
And get loud as hell, 12th Man! I'll be part of the crowd too, but from my living room in Arkansas. You know it.
BRING ON THE RAMS!
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