Edgerrin James released by Seahawks / Image: Zuma Press

As you will recall, Edge was acquired by the Hawks this past August after three years in Arizona, the last of which saw him turn from a disgruntled bench warmer to an integral part of an NFC Championship run. Surprisingly—to Edge—there wasn’t much interest in his services after he was finally released by the Cards a few months ago.

This is a similar scenario to what former Seahawk Shaun Alexander went through—from league MVP in 2005 to out of the same league (after a very brief stint in Washington) in just three years. An injury will open the door for Edge to return to another NFL team. But for all intents and purposes, at 31-years-old, his outstanding, probably Hall of Fame career, is probably over.

Source: Seahawks.com

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Seahawks Release Edgerrin James

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Rumors of LaDainian Tomlinson leaving the San Diego Chargers are so far just that — rumors. But LT addressed the situation on his personal Web site — LaDainianTomlinson.com — this past week, saying:

“I have been getting a lot of messages on my site regarding me leaving San Diego. I feel that I need to make it very clear that I have NO intentions of leaving San Diego. San Diego is where my career started and where I’d like it to end. I have nothing but love and the utmost respect for this team, the players, and the Spanos Family. Me being traded is completely out of my hands. I have ABSOLUTELY no control in that decision making. All I can do is wait and see how it all plays out. As for now, I am a Charger and will be until I am told otherwise.

That doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence that LT will be returning to the Chargers. I believe he’ll be asked to take a pay cut in order to stay in San Diego. And I probably don’t need to tell you that won’t go over very well. The recently oft-injured LT is due base salaries of $6.725 million in 2009, $8 million in 2010, and $9.275 million in 2011. He has taken a good deal of punishment during his eight-year career and he’ll be 30 years old next season. A running back’s shelf life in the National Football League just isn’t that long. Look at how quickly Shaun Alexander went from MVP to unemployed. Shaun’s 31 and he can’t even find a team that wants him anymore. Sadly, a similar fate could await LT over the next couple years.

Source: LaDainianTomlinson.com, Photo: Newscom

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LaDainian Tomlinson Staying in San Diego?

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The Washington Redskins have been watching and waiting, hoping that running back Clinton Portis would be recovered enough from a two-week-old sprained knee to play in Sunday night’s important NFC East battle with the Dallas Cowboys. But it isn’t looking good. Clinton’s been listed as questionable all week and head coach Jim Zorn is no longer optimistic. Ladell Betts would take Clinton’s place in the starting lineup, but he’s coming off his own sprained knee and after a three week layoff, it’s hard to say how effective he’ll be. That opens the door for Shaun Alexander, who finally feels ready to play a more important role in the Redskins offense:

“I’m pretty comfortable in this offense. I was always comfortable with the passing game, but the run game was just a little bit different. I had to get used to certain angles and where they want to attack (defenses).”

Shaun only has 10 carries for 23 yards in three games for the Skins this season, but his limited playing time has been due to that lack of familiarity with the offense. Coach Zorn has noticed improvement each week, though, so we might get to see what Shaun has left in his proverbial tank soon.

Source: Redskins.com, Photo: Newscom

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Shaun Alexander Ready for More Reps

Former National Football League MVP and three-time Pro Bowler Shaun Alexander signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins today. Shaun will backup starter Clinton Portis, a role that had been filled by RB Ladell Betts until he sprained his knee this past weekend in a loss to the St. Louis Rams. Redskins head coach Jim Zorn used to work with Shaun in Seattle, so he knows firsthand what type of player he’s getting:

“As soon as (Shaun) got to Redskins Park, we got him in shorts and took him out and worked him out. He looks fit. He has a lot of want-to in his attitude.”

Shaun had been waiting for a running back injury to open a door for his employment. He comes to Washington with an impressive resume. In eight NFL seasons, all with the Seahawks, Shaun has compiled 9,429 yards, a 4.3 yards-per-carry average, and 100 touchdowns. He has also caught 214 passes for 1,511 yards and 12 touchdowns. His career rushing total ranks him 25th in NFL history. Shaun’s played in coach Zorn’s version of the West Coast offense in Seattle, so he should be able to pick up the scheme and contribute quickly.

Source: Redskins.com

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Redskins Sign Shaun Alexander

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There’s a former National Football League Most Valuable Player for hire. And I think it’s only a matter of time before he receives a phone call offering him a job. Just two seasons after he was the NFL’s MVP, running back Shaun Alexander may be out of work on this Kickoff Weekend, but he’s ready, willing and able to fill a roster spot as soon as the opportunity presents itself:

“Man, I’m healthy and excited to play. And I think this year can be a big year for me if I get the opportunity. I can still play the game. I think I can help a team get to the Super Bowl.”

Two months ago, X-rays showed that the cracked bone in Shaun’s left foot (the one that ruined his 2006 season and slowed him in 2007) is finally fully healed. And the broken left wrist he had to begin last season is fine, too. He’s willing to play for the veteran minimum with no guarantees. So what gives? I guess teams are not convinced of his ability to fulfill this comeback, but I disagree. It’ll probably take an injury to open the door for Shaun’s return, but he’ll be back. Sooner than later, I’m guessing.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

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Shaun Alexander Available for Hire

Like Kevin Jones, Cedric Benson and Ron Dayne, Shaun Alexander is a high-profile, veteran running back looking for a job in the National Football League. Hard to believe — especially in Shaun’s case — considering he led the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl and was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player just three years ago. Some reports are saying that teams are shying away from Shaun because he’s more committed to his faith than he is football, but I’m not buying that. Anybody that knows Shaun knows that he will give 100% to whatever he is doing in life. But his faith is obviously important to him:

“I’m asking God to close doors that need to be closed and open up whatever needs to be open so I can go there, win a Super Bowl, impact the team, impact the community. That’s been my goal.”

Apparently, Shaun is in contact with seven teams but did not identify who they were. I can understand the interest in Shaun’s services, but I also understand the concern. And it has nothing to do with his faith. Shaun’s a 30-year-old running back without a lot of tread left on his tires. And his durability and numbers have dropped off the past two seasons. Not that it’s entirely his fault, but there is not a big market for aging running backs. The shelf life isn’t a long one and every running back knows this going in to their NFL career. Shaun will find a suitable home in 2008, but he’ll most definitely split time with another back (or two). Which is exactly what he needs at this point in his career. Divine intervention? Yes, I think so.

Source: Boston Herald

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Faith and Football for Shaun Alexander

Image details: Seattle Seahawks v Arizona Cardinals served by picapp.com

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How quickly an athlete’s fortunes can change in the National Football League. Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander went from the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and leader of the only Seahawks’ Super Bowl team to not even being on that team in just two years’ time. As predicted back in early March, Shaun is the odd-man-out in a revamped offensive backfield in Seattle. His eight-year, $62 million contract ($15.1 guaranteed) is up-in-smoke and he’s out on the street (so to speak). That’s why guarantees are so important in NFL contracts. Because nothing outside of them is guaranteed. Shaun was typically classy in his farewell address:

“I want to thank the Seahawks and Mike Holmgren for all they have done for me and my family over the years. I have nothing but respect and affection for the Seahawks staff, my teammates and the organization. I wish them the best. I especially want to thank the Seahawks fans. You made me feel proud every time I stepped on the field as a member of the Seahawks. I look forward to hopefully returning to Qwest Field one day to play against the Seahawks. We have made far too many wonderful friends to say goodbye. My family will remain in the Seattle area, and when my days in the NFL do eventually come to an end, I plan to retire here. Our hearts are woven into the fabric of this community, we are blessed to be part of it, and we enjoy contributing to it in every way we can.”

Shaun’s disappointing past two seasons led to his release. I don’t blame the Seahawks. I know this was a difficult decision for them but it was a business decision. And it was the right decision. Shaun’s production was down and his injuries were up. That’s a first-class ticket to the unemployment line in the NFL. Plus, Shaun’s 30-years-old now. What have you done for me lately, Shaun Alexander? Obviously, not enough.

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Shaun Alexander Released by Seahawks

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The Seattle Seahawks signed former Dallas Cowboys RB Julius Jones to a four-year, $16 million contract today. Julius was one of the most talked about free agent RBs in this year’s market, if only a “second-tier” option for most teams. I think it’s an excellent pickup for Seattle. Julius was kind of phased out of the Dallas offense (164 carries, 3.6 ypc) with the emergence of All-Pro Marion Barber, so this should provide him with a great opportunity to get his career back on track.

J2 is the second free agent running back signing by the Hawks this week. The Seahawks obviously needed some help for the aging and oft-injured Shaun Alexander, but they’re not going to keep this many running backs on the team. They also added T.J. Duckett from Detroit and they’ve got Maurice Morris as well. So someone’s going to be the odd man out. And my guess is it might be Shaun. Seattle’s running game has significantly fallen off since he was the league MVP in 2005. That was when he rushed for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns in a Super Bowl season. He’s been injured and ineffective since, and Seattle averaged just 4.0 yards per carry in 2006 and 3.8 last season.

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Seattle Sehawks Add Julius Jones to RBs