Seattle must be ready to submit to the Arizona Cardinals, and also let the 49ers creep back up in the standings. Their poor off-season non-movement with Shaun Alexander has to be ranked as the worst team management planning in a long time. Either they have a great running back in mind to sign next season, or they are ready to sink deep into the Pacific Ocean.

6,000 rushing yards and 62 touchdowns over the last five years…go to…Shaun Alexander. The Seahawks running back has put up phenomenal stunning numbers and always gives it his all on the field. His patience may be his best attribute, as he will always take what the defense and his offensive line gives him. His offensive line has been one of the best in the league, and we all know defenses will breakdown eventually by over pursuing, poor tackling, or not taking the right angle on a tackle. As any Alexander game will show, he will usually bust a big run or two, and average out the rest of the game with time-consuming move the chain yards.

He is the perfect back to keep shackled for a championship run, but the Seahawks do not vision that. They do not want to pay for a big lucrative deal of a top five running back. Which is exactly what Alexander will be offered as the hottest free agent next season. That is the obvious reason because skepticism in Alexander’s ability was thrown out many years ago.

Alexander also does not get along with head coach Mike Holmgren, and maybe he is pushing towards the Seahawks letting him go. Holmgren has already been under fire the past few seasons, but the Seahawks continue to hang around as a .500 franchise. Still, it is obvious that the two need to mend their relationship or move past their differences. A team can only be a true team if the player is committed to believing in their coach. When the starting running back is unsure, than that is when a team that should be a serious contender turns into a .500 team.

This is a situation that could have been resolved a long time ago. It stinks for Alexander that he has to continue to play for a team where he is unwanted. It will be truly business this year but maybe it can become pleasure, if the team exceeds expectations. We all know that winning can change a player or coach’s attitude quickly.

Already any team in serious need of a running back does not need to look ahead to the 2006 NFL Draft. Alexander is the workhorse that any average team looking to jump a few spots up needs. A team like the Jacksonville Jaguars could be the perfect fit, seeming that Fred Taylor is as banged up as people are saying.

Possibilities are always 100 percent, but a determined future is not. Right now Alexander needs to be mentally ready for this season, and worry about his possibilities in the off-season. If he stumbles out the gate with poor outings or gets hurt, his future and salary will suffer. Alexander has never worried anyone with his play, so the consensus view would be another fantastic year.