Holmgren defends Alexander's running style
Friday, October 12, 2007
KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) Mike Holmgren hears the frustrations and complaints from Seahawks fans that Shaun Alexander isn't running hard enough.
He hears the criticism that the star running back has been too tentative, tiptoeing into the line while gaining just 93 yards rushing with an average of less than 3 yards per carry over the last two games.
Seattle's coach has been telling Alexander the same thing -- for eight years.
"Would I like him to hit the holes a little quicker, get it up in there? I've said that from Day One," Holmgren said Friday, the final full practice day for the Seahawks (3-2) before Sunday night's home game against New Orleans (0-4).
"He's known that for, how many years has he been here?" Holmgren said, chuckling. "But at the same time, his style has produced some wonderful things."
That includes five seasons with at least 1,175 yards rushing, with a team-record 1,880 yards in 2005 while winning league MVP and leading the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl. He scored a then-league record 28 touchdowns that season.
"It's like da-da-da (simulating hesitancy) -- and then all of a sudden he scores a touchdown and I am happy," Holmgren said.
Holmgren hasn't been happy much lately.
Alexander has just two touchdowns through five games, the last four of which he has played while wearing a cast over a cracked left wrist. Alexander said it took him weeks to regain his balance while running with the cast.
The injury comes after he missed six games last season with a broken foot. He finished with 896 yards in 10 regular-season games, the first time since he became Seattle's featured back in 2001 that he failed to reach 1,000 yards.
He is running behind three new offensive linemen since that wondrous season two years ago. His Pro Bowl blocking back, Mack Strong, had to retire this week because of a spinal cord condition.
Alexander turned 30 in August, and talk is getting louder that he is fading on the three-time defending NFC West champions.
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Holmgren defends Alexander's running style
Holmgren defends Alexander's running style
Holmgren defends Alexander's running style
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