Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 7:20 p.m.

Does thit mean it's a possibility that Mo Morris gets let go?

Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 7:47 p.m.

I love the move...they couldn't stand pat, so get some different types of backs in camp and let them battle it out for playing time...everybody's hungry, everybody competes, and we all win with that type of environment. Hate to see Shaun and/or MoMo go, but the reality is it's probably time. MoMo had his chances the last two years with SAs injuries to show his stuff as a feature starter, and he just didn't quite cut it; good burst, can't move the pile. SAs drawbacks and critics have been many, so no need to pile on, but suffice to say it seems a change is probably needed...for both sides. If it comes to pass, we should all thank SA for his time and the many great memories...and not place too much blame at his feet for the failings of the past two seasons. Winning four straight division titles and five straight playoff appearances is not failure or even mediocrity. We've been there and had chances, so hopefully these moves will help re-shuffle the pieces enough to get us over the hump.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 7:59 p.m.

We should thank Steve Hutchinson before we thank SA. Oh, wait...

Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 8:35 p.m.

As a diehard Seahawk fan but a Cowboys season ticket holder I am distraught by this move. I have watched J. Jones closely for the last few years and feel confident in my assessment that Jones is not presently a better back then MoMo. Neither have proved anything yet, but at least MoMo has not mastered the two yard run and fall down maneuver (and Momo is a "homegrown" Seahawk which holds some weight with me). Add to the fact that Shaun A is my favorite athlete of all time and that this move looks to signal his ultimate demise in Seattle and I am not happy with this move.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 9:09 p.m.

whoa whoa whoa whoa.... whoa. a diehard Hawk fan and a Cowboy season ticket holder? I think I just heard a rip in the timeline. I hope those tickets were given to you for free. Aggressive move though, I think only good things will come of this. I think last season really opened Matt up, now with at least a descent running game, things should be looking good for the next few years.

Posted by sportsquared at 3/7/08 9:16 p.m.

Hunh, now the 4th Texan not impressed with Jones (two on the hawks forum, one on this blog, and a sports reporter from Dallas interviewed by KJR (not that I'm keeping count)

Posted by milfy123 at 3/7/08 10:56 p.m.

LETS SEE SOME HB SCREENS AND OPEN UP THE OFFENSE, i want to see Shaun in 08 lets see what he can do healthy with a improved line but i like the depth with HBs we can do alot

Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 11:27 p.m.

we are done with shaun, thanks, but we burned your jersey. You will never be sucessful without a line.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 11:49 p.m.

do you mean successful....what are you from forks?

Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 11:55 p.m.

I can't believe you would burn a jersey, what kind of fan are you? More like the 13th man - one with a missing chromosome.

Posted by MyiiI at 3/8/08 1:01 a.m.

Morris is the best back of the bunch. Stats don't lie. His yards per carry, overall yards, and receiving stats are better than JJ's. He has plenty of miles left in the tank, too. My guess is they cut SA after June 1, and let JJ and MO fight for the top spot (and my guess is that Morris will AT LEAST share most of the carries).

Neither of these guys (Mo and JJ) can "move the pile". Jones is actually smaller than Morris. BUT, with Duckett in the mix, we get finesse and power (plus some more receiving options). Duckett will keep Jones and Morris from taking too much of a pounding.

That said, if we get Stewart in the draft, he will probably split his time with whoever wins the JJ/MO battle (and the loser becomes insurance). Duckett would still punch in on third-downs, but not as frequently (because Stewart is a load himself).

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 3:31 a.m.

Do we have a Running Backs coach yet? That could be a big factor in all of this too. Last I read they were still looking at Mack Strong to fill the slot.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 6:49 a.m.

Great pickup. I would be surprised if Mendenhal or Stewart would be available at 25. This is a strong offensive line class and would hope we take another big OL in the first 3 rounds.

Posted by gopisevil at 3/8/08 7:01 a.m.

Stewart falling to the Hawks at 25 is wishful thinking to say the least. Ruskell is right on with this decision. Get some options at RB, maybe draft one in the second or third round, and use the first round pick on a tight end or more O line help. The line and/or a threat over the middle--like a solid TE would provide--will be the determining factors as to how well the running game develops. Let all these guys fight it out in training camp and see if they can find a gem at RB later in the draft a la Denver. If anything, we have a number of backs to platoon and protect against injury (like we had last year at receiver--another good Ruskell decision). The RB by committee worked well for the Giants and Pats last year. Could work for us as well.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 7:42 a.m.

Believe it or not, Julius Jones' best years are behind him. Could we have been better off making a run for his brother last year?

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 10:15 a.m.

Bring 'em all to camp and see who wants it most.

Posted by OleHawk at 3/8/08 10:47 a.m.

Keep Alexander rework his contract use 1st thru 3rd round pick on O line and TE. getting O line beefed up will be just as effective as another back and give Shaun another chance who knows he could have another good year yet im still not ready to give up on him yet he helped bring us the best years in seahawks history and if he has a decent year with a reworked contract maybe they could get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for him next year. I like Alexander and maybe a little more preasure in training camp might light a fire under his butt and get him going.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 10:48 a.m.

I'll never understand all this piling on on Shaun Alexander. He is a future Hall of Fame back with 100 TD's as a Seahawk. And quite honestly as a 20+ year Seahawk fan out here on the East Coast, he and Hasslebeck have done more to raise East Coast visibility of the Seahawks and make them nationally relevant that any other player in franchise history. (even Largent)

Yes, he got old, so did Barry Sanders, so did Emmitt Smith, so did Franco Harris. It had nothing to do with Alexander's desire or heart, just his age. He had 6 amazing seasons, which is well beyond the expectations of most running backs.

He gave all he could to the franchise and was one of the main reasons for our 5 year run of playoff success, but clearly his best years are behind him. Hopefully a JJ and TJ combination will suffice next year.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 11:12 a.m.

I couldn't have said it better #106236. But you see this is Seattle and in Seattle you don't really have fans, just a bunch of moss colored latte sipping simpletons who somehow believe they all have the brains to be a football coach. Most of them have less brains than the slugs Seattle is famous for.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 12:41 p.m.

I think we're on the right track with the run game. We needed change, and I'm willing to give "Running Back By Committee" a chance. That's what it's looking like - some combo of Shaun, Mo, Jones, Duckett and Weaver, and possible draftee. Someone's gotta go, if they draft an RB.

But is anyone else concerned about our receiving corp? Branch is probably gone for at least the first half of the season (based upon standard rehab time for his injury, despite what TR says), DJ is a questionable return to Seattle. This means Burleson, and an aging Engram. Both are geat, but neither one is a #1 WR. And if one gets injured.....? No offensive TE (yet), and only Obamanu, Taylor and Paine, who are pretty much unproven, but have shown skills.

Lots of questions there.

Posted by black & gold at 3/8/08 1:10 p.m.

It's obvious that all the talk coming out of the Hawks that the causes of the running games' woes were multiple. It seems that by these actions they are signaling that the one and only cause was the lack of a quality RB. Hiring an aging journeyman (journeyman salary justifies journeyman label)at guard indicates the team's belief that the O-Line was not the major problem. Just reinforces that the PR spin(s) coming out of Kirkland are just that spins. Certainly, the two headed monster at HC and the spin to justify it bears that out.

Posted by milfy123 at 3/8/08 2:26 p.m.

I dont think we should draft a RB, Need a decent TE, i dont agree with whoever said use 1-3 on the line maybe a T to help Walter, but i think adding a TE and T will be fine, use the pick to draft a CB or D-line instead of a RB
i believe we only have 6 picks this year

Posted by unregistered user at 3/8/08 7:16 p.m.

The team needs a DT, a TE and a RB, in that order. Then fill out depth of LB/CB/WR and possibly a kicker. That's what the Seahawks need. Will they get what they need? Maybe, maybe not. The signing of JJ does signal the end of Shaun in Seattle. MoMo? maybe not. his contract is 'affordable.'

Posted by unregistered user at 3/9/08 7:46 a.m.

Please stop with the "thank Steve Hutchinson" comments. If I remember correctly, Emmitt Smith ran behind an amazing o-line too with Williams, Allen, Tuinia (sp?) etc. Alexander had an incredible string of seasons so lets give him his due credit. His production has obviously slipped over the past 2 years, but come on...he did great things for our team. Don't forget that.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/9/08 11:49 a.m.

Maybe a little competition will make Alexander a more determined runner. His head is bigger than his heart, a little fear may turn this around.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/9/08 4:53 p.m.

As SA is no longer "starter" material, the Hawks now have six back-ups on the roster. Did I miss the analysis which explains how all these lemons become lemonade? Where is the feature back? Oh that's right he's still doing 225lb reps at the combine. Why not spend a draft pick along with the $15 million of cap space on one of the more fungible positions in football. After a half dozen premier backs the rest are all interchangeable meaning their success depends more on the O Line, system and injuries and less on any talent differential - as the Denver Broncos can attest over the past 10 yrs. Even Alexander was "all world" when the "system" worked for him and barely pedestrian when the system was no longer clicking. Now if all of this had been over a top-flight tackle, center, nose tackle for the D or even guard (the journeyman Wahle does not qualify - if he did, in the era of paying big bucks to guards, he would not be earning chump change) this could be something to feel good about.