News analysis: Alexander released by Seattle
by Keith Hernandez and Fraser Lovat, KFFL
KFFL: Over a dozen expert league championships — a proven source of player news and fantasy content.
Seattle has two ways it can release him. They can terminate his contract, which would cost the team a cap loss of $125,000. They also could release him under the June 2 designation, which would save the team Alexander's $4.475 million salary on the 2008 cap, but would cost them $4.6 million in their 2009 cap.
This should come as no surprise, as the move's been anticipated for a month or two after the team signed running backs T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones in free agency. Alexander needed his wrist to heal before he started visiting with any team that has interest in signing him.
Alexander stands as the Seahawks' all-time leading rusher, with 9,429 rushing yards, and became the team's only player to earn the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award in 2005, when he ran for 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns. However, his production has plummeted the past two seasons, as he's battled injuries. In 2006, he only played in 10 games and finished with 896 yards. Last year, he played in just 13 games, finishing with four touchdowns and 716 yards on the ground. In the past two seasons, he's dealt with a broken foot and a broken wrist.
With Alexander's release, the team will need to find one or more running backs to carry the load in 2008.
The recently acquired Jones, who appeared in 16 games with the Cowboys last season, signed a four-year deal worth $12 million with the Seahawks this off-season. It's possible, but not likely, Jones could become the featured back in Seattle's backfield. Last year with the Cowboys, he gained 588 yards with two touchdowns while splitting time with Marion Barber. However, Jones has never been an every-down back and has never carried the ball more than 267 times in a season. In 2007, he had the lowest carry total of his career (164).
Another candidate to receive carries in 2008 is Duckett. He rushed for 335 yards and three touchdowns with the Lions last year in a backup role. He makes sense as the guy they'd go to in goal-line and short-yardage situations given his size at 6-foot-0, 254 pounds.
Last year's backup to Alexander, running back Maurice Morris, is another option in the team's crowded backfield. He's seen a lot of the workload the past two season due to Alexander's injuries. In 2006, he carried the ball 161 times, and in 2007, ran it 140 times. In his first four seasons combined, he carried the ball 171 times. He appeared in 14 games last season, recording 628 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
With such a crowded backfield, the starting job likely will be won in training camp. However, none of the three backs have carried the ball more than 270 times in a season. In addition, whoever's named the starter may not necessarily be the one who gets the most work. The team may take the running back-by-committee approach, using Jones or Morris on first and second downs, then bringing in Duckett for the short-yardage carries. Then on passing downs, the team could use Morris, who caught 23 balls last year.
For now, Jones and Duckett likely carry the most fantasy value. Jones may have the most, simply because he should get the most touches. At best, he could serve as a weak No. 3 back. Duckett has value because he should have the chance to vulture touchdowns, but he only has value as depth. Morris has minimal fantasy value, except as perhaps a handcuff in deep leagues or a depth option in point-per-reception formats.
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