Months after being unceremoniously cut by the Seahawks, former league MVP Shaun Alexander might soon be reuinted with a guy who knows a thing or two about him.
Per Adam Schefter of NFL Network, Alexander will visit the Redskins on Tuesday. If he passes a physical, he could be under contract by the end of the day.
The ‘Skins are concerned about a knee injury to backup running back Ladell Betts.
Alexander previoulsy drew interest from the Bengals, Lions, and Saints. He expressed optimism that he’d have a new team after the first week of the season, but remains unattached.
In Washington, Alexander would play for former Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, who returned to Seattle in 2001, a year after Alexander was drafted
I do not like this idea, the guy is way over the hill, slow and has been out of football for a while now. I wonder what kind of shape he is in? With Betts being out 2 weeks maybe slightly more why not sign a guy with more upside like Marcus Mason from the Ravens practice squad? Hopefully Rock can step up and do well with the 5-10 carries he will get as Portis's backup.
Im sure he will be league min. for $ purposes. Its not that bad of an idea. I am still not sold on Betts as a change of pace back for Portis. I love Betts and think that he is a better starter than he is change of pace. I actually think that in the past Rock did a better job comming in to spell portis.
I would like to see what Alexander has left in the tank.
The former NFL rushing champ and MVP is heading to Washington for a workout on Tuesday, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Alexander has strong ties to coach Jim Zorn and RB Coach Stump Mitchell from their time together in Seattle. He has been passed on by most of the league following some injuries and unproductive seasons, but with Ladell Betts out at least a few weeks with a knee sprain, the Skins are going to give him a look.
If he's in good shape, he could very well be signed (I could see a Rob Jackson/Justin Tryon type headed to the practice squad to make room for an extra RB, or maybe they let a depth safety like Justin Hamilton go). When Betts comes back the Skins could let him go; if Alexander is productive, then maybe they find a way to keep him around.
That's down the line of course. But with Clinton Portis being used like sledgehammer and Zorn favoring a two-headed attack at RB, and with Rock Cartwright having so few carries in his NFL career, the Skins have opted to give this a shot.
RedskinsRule56 wrote:I do not like this idea, the guy is way over the hill, slow and has been out of football for a while now. I wonder what kind of shape he is in? With Betts being out 2 weeks maybe slightly more why not sign a guy with more upside like Marcus Mason from the Ravens practice squad? Hopefully Rock can step up and do well with the 5-10 carries he will get as Portis's backup.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume that, if this is true, the Redskins would require that Alexander pass some physical examinations. But I'm also a little crazy, so who knows? Also, Marcus Mason is on a practice squad for a team who is desperate to find depth at running back, he's not a viable NFL back at this point.
Not trying to derail the thread, but I'd give Mason the shot... I know that there were rumors that he wasn't up to learning to O, but man, could he run.
I don't see Alexander being much insurance.
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
While I felt that Alexander was never a really good back he was effective when he had a really great offensive line in front of him - he was nothing when that team lost Hutchinson to the Vikings.
Now, IF we really need a back he's OK but, he's not special.
Until recently, Snyder & Allen have made a lot of really bad decisions - nobody with any sense believes this franchise will get better under their guidance Snyder's W/L record = 45% (80-96) - Snyder/Allen = 41% (59-84-1)
I know they said Mason couldn't learn much, but it's not hard to call simple plays for him when he would be in. Whoever comes in should stil be 3rd fiddle to CP and Rock, wouldn't they?
I'm really not digging Alexander coming here, but I trust Zorn. If Zorn thinks it's a good idea, then I will be objective.
...any given Sunday....
RIP #21 Sean Taylor. You will be loved and adored by Redskins fans forever!!!!!
GSPODS:
The National Anthem sucks.
What a useless piece of propagandist rhetoric that is.
I guess the fact that we need AT LEAST 2 healthy backs escapes you? I really don't want Yoder blocking for Sellers to spell CP. That is what this is trying to prohibit.
...any given Sunday....
RIP #21 Sean Taylor. You will be loved and adored by Redskins fans forever!!!!!
GSPODS:
The National Anthem sucks.
What a useless piece of propagandist rhetoric that is.
skinpride1 wrote:Sounds like just what it says a Rumor.Why the heck do we need another running back?
How about paying attention to the defensive line or end!!!!
I would take Portis over that seabird any day!!!
What are you babbling about??? You ARE aware that Betts is out for a few games, aren't you???? You ok with Cartwright spelling Portis????
"That's a clown question, bro" - - - - - - - - - - Bryce Harper, DC Statesman "But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man That he didn't, didn't already have" - - - - - - - - - - Dewey Bunnell, America
Seems like a slap in the face for us to rush out and sign a Betts replacement. This reminds me of the Duckett signing. At least we won't lose any draft picks. Hopefully this is just rumor.
Cartwright is an extremely under-rated back. I know I'll get slammed for this, but I actually like Rock's ability more than Betts'. He's got more "burst" than any back on our team (including CP) IMVHO, and he has paid his dues. Give the rock to the Rock.
Keep in mind: They haven't officially signed Alexander yet. So they could just be taking a look, and if they don't like what they see, they won't sign him.
Anyway, Betts's injury doesn't appear to be that serious, and Alexander doesn't seem like the guy to go out and sign for a one or two week backup. I guess we'll see what happens, but I agree, I like Cartwright too. He can get the job done.
skinpride1 wrote:Sounds like just what it says a Rumor.Why the heck do we need another running back?
How about paying attention to the defensive line or end!!!!
I would take Portis over that seabird any day!!!
What are you babbling about??? You ARE aware that Betts is out for a few games, aren't you???? You ok with Cartwright spelling Portis????
Yes I am and so what If Betts is out for a few game. I have faith in Rock.
Unless Betts is down for the rest of the year then why do this?Might as well do something with the defense.What about giving some of the other backs a chance that busted there butt in training camp? Bring In Shaun Alexander who knows nothing about the Joe bugel running game. Just does not add up to me and really does not if Betts is going to be back in a few weeks.
Months after being unceremoniously cut by the Seahawks, former league MVP Shaun Alexander might soon be reuinted with a guy who knows a thing or two about him.
Per Adam Schefter of NFL Network, Alexander will visit the Redskins on Tuesday. If he passes a physical, he could be under contract by the end of the day.
The ‘Skins are concerned about a knee injury to backup running back Ladell Betts.
Alexander previoulsy drew interest from the Bengals, Lions, and Saints. He expressed optimism that he’d have a new team after the first week of the season, but remains unattached.
In Washington, Alexander would play for former Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, who returned to Seattle in 2001, a year after Alexander was drafted
Rock's done pretty well in emergency relief in the past. Not sure how I feel about this move. I tend to think Alexander's shot out, and wouldn't give us anything but disappointment.
funbuncher wrote:Seems like a slap in the face for us to rush out and sign a Betts replacement. This reminds me of the Duckett signing. At least we won't lose any draft picks. Hopefully this is just rumor.
Cartwright is an extremely under-rated back. I know I'll get slammed for this, but I actually like Rock's ability more than Betts'. He's got more "burst" than any back on our team (including CP) IMVHO, and he has paid his dues. Give the rock to the Rock.
No, I am not his agent or related in any way.
Rock has a better burst than CP? I'm not seeing that one.
...any given Sunday....
RIP #21 Sean Taylor. You will be loved and adored by Redskins fans forever!!!!!
GSPODS:
The National Anthem sucks.
What a useless piece of propagandist rhetoric that is.
