KCJ: Holmgren selflessly feeding Alexander's touchdown desire

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Holmgren selflessly feeding Alexander's touchdown desire

http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/218504

Mike Holmgren is a big man. And not just because his 6-foot-5 presence looms large on the Seahawks' sidelines.

At the end of last season, Shaun Alexander accused his coach of ``stabbing him in the back'' by not giving him the ball at the 1-yard line with the NFL rushing title on the line in the Seahawks' final game.

Alexander, it should be noted, was about to become a free agent, the same situation he faces this year.

Some coaches might have let that selfish assertion cloud their relationship with an athlete or sent him packing. But Sunday at Qwest Field, Holmgren called four running plays for Alexander when the Seahawks had the ball at the 1 at different points in the game, with Alexander coming through in three of those situations.

When Seattle needed a score, Holmgren went to his Touchdown Maker. Even after Alexander had scored four touchdowns in the 37-12 rout, Holmgren gave him two more unsuccessful shots at a fifth TD from the 5-yard line late in the game.

The coach didn't need to do that. He could have spread the wealth. Could have let Matt Hasselbeck toss for a touchdown. Could have let backup Maurice Morris score instead of hustling Alexander back into the game for his fourth tally. Could have rewarded fullback Mack Strong for his years of service or built the confidence of tight end Jerramy Stevens with another TD catch.

But no, Holmgren kept his main man happy, along with thousands of fantasy football owners, by feeding the touchdown machine. That was as unselfish an act by the coach as you can find, given Alexander's self-serving remarks last year.

Remember, too, that Alexander will definitely become a free agent following this season. The more touchdowns he scores, the higher his value and lower his chance of return. But Holmgren is trying to win games, just as he was last year when he called for a quarterback sneak with a division title on the line instead of worrying about Alexander's fame and fortune.

Aware it's his last year

For his part, Alexander is definitely aware of his contract status. Asked after the game about his noticeably tougher inside running approach the past few weeks, the former Alabama star brought up his impending free agency.

However, with a spin nearly as impressive as the one he unleashed against the Cardinals on Sunday, Alexander claimed that contract situation isn't motivation for himself, but a reason outsiders are viewing his running style differently.

``I don't think it's any different than any other year,'' he said. ``We've just changed some of our packages. So it just gets to be seen. Plus, everybody knows this could be my last year here so everybody is paying attention to everything.''

Alexander insisted last week when he lowered his shoulders and bulled Atlanta safety Bryan Scott backward for 3 yards on a third-and-1 carry that was nothing new, even though anyone who has watched his five seasons in Seattle knows that wasn't a typical Alexander carry.

Holmgren expressed pleasure again after the Arizona victory about Alexander's ``aggressive running'' and how hard he's hitting the hole.

Nothing new?

The man himself, however, insists it's just status quo.

``It looks the same to me,'' Alexander said. ``I've watched some of the other games and thought, `Man, is it different?' It's not. Everybody is just really excited. People feel like this could be a great year for us.''

When the Seahawks agreed to lift his franchise tag and allow him to become a free agent following this season, it was a roll of the dice, a willingness to sacrifice their long-term hold on a franchise running back in exchange for what is best for this team, this year.

The move meant Alexander didn't skip training camp. The added bonus seems to be the increased earnestness on Alexander's part.

``It's not really motivation. It just is what it is,'' said Alexander, currently second to Tampa Bay rookie Carnell Williams in NFL rushing yardage. ``My wife and I got to talking about, `Wow, this could be our last games here in Seattle. Let's give everybody something to cheer about. Let's make it big.'''

The contract drive

It's not a bad thing for Alexander to be cognizant of his contract situation. He wouldn't be the first professional athlete -- or person in any field -- to be goosed by pride and monetary motivations.

A guy who was peeved about not winning the rushing title on the day his team won a division championship last year certainly is keeping track of every single thing surrounding this season's contract drive, from his touchdown totals to perceptions of how hard he runs and blocks.

If that pushes Alexander to greater heights, so be it. It will be up to others to keep Alexander's statistics in proper perspective, without getting caught up in ego wars.

Thankfully, the Seahawks have that man. Mike Holmgren has been down this road.

And he's big enough to not worry about where the knives are hidden.

Greg Johns can be reached at gjohns@juno.com