If you follow the NFL, or read this blog, you already know that the Seattle Seahawks will be playing without the 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander for the the next few weeks. Some are pointing to the "Madden cover" jinx and the hex on recent Super Bowl runners-up as a reason why Alexander, noted for his durability, has a small crack in a non-weight bearing bone on his left foot. I'm sorry, but I'm not buying into that nonsense.
I didn't believe in the "Curse of the Bambino", which had over 80 years of heartache behind it, so why I am going to believe there's a curse or jinx associated with a video game? That's just lunacy. As for the Super Bowl runners-up, that's a trend. When it gets into the 10-15 year range, then you can tell me that it might mean something. Otherwise, I've watched too much football in the last 10 years to believe that because a team loses the Super Bowl in one year, they automatically don't make the playoffs the following season.
So let's just cut through all the BS, and get to what this injury really means.
What Seattle's Offense Looks Like Without Alexander
The first 3 games of this season actually sheds some light on this. It was obvious in Week 1 that the running game, even with a healthy Alexander, was a work in progress. As Mike Sando points out, the losses of G Steve Hutchinson, WR Joe Jurevicius and even TE Ryan Hannam in free agency are part of the problem. Sprinkle in the injuries to Jerramy Stevens (out until 10/15) and Itula Mili (who dressed, but did not play against New York), as well as the injury to Floyd Womack, and it's easy to see why the Seahawks ground game hasn't performed as well as it did during Alexander's record-breaking 2005 season.
While it's impossible to replace the "threat" of having the NFL's MVP in the backfield, Seattle isn't without weapons on offense. In fact, the argument could be made that the recent addition of another MVP will soften the blow of not having Shaun Alexander for a few games.
Seattle used the debut of Deion Branch in a Seahawk uniform to unveil a 4-WR set, which clearly gave the Giants some problems. Few teams, if any, are equipped to match up against this without removing a linebacker or two. The 4-WR sets spread the defense out and softens the middle, which should actually help the Seahawks run the ball as they prepare to play without Alexander for a few games.
Before Alexander's injury, the threat of him running the ball created opportunities in the passing game. Well now the addition of Deion Branch and the use of more 4-WR sets will create some opportunities in the running game.
Now Introducing....Maurice Morris
Maurice Morris is likely the name burning up fantasy football league waiver wires today, as he'll be the guy the Seahawks will turn to as Alexander's replacement. Morris has limited experience as a starter, but Morris has been with the Seahawks (and in this offense) for 5 seasons. So it's not as though Seattle is turning to a rookie.
He's a better blocker, better receiver out of the backfield, and hits the hole much more quickly than the patient Alexander does. With an offensive line that may feature two greenhorns (Chris Spencer will get his 2nd career start at LG, and rookie Rob Sims may start at RG for Chris Gray), a guy who isn't dancing in the backfield and hits the holes quickly may be the better option in the short-term.
The Prognosis
If this injury was of the season-ending variety, I could understand why people would immediately begin writing the Seahawks off. Replacing a guy who produces like Alexander would be an impossible task for any team.
Thankfully, it's a short-term obstacle for a team that is used to playing without it's full arsenal of offensive weapons. You only have to point to last October (when the Seahawks lost both of their starting wide receivers) or the playoff game against Washington (when Alexander was knocked out in the 1st quarter) for evidence that Seattle is capable of adapting their offense and still winning football games.
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