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Alexander might play despite bruised knee

By Greg Bishop
Seattle Times staff reporter

ROD MAR / THE SEATTLE TIMES Seahawks trainer Ken Smith, left, comes to the aid of running back Shaun Alexander, who injured his right knee late in the fourth quarter Sunday.

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KIRKLAND — Shaun Alexander doesn't profess to be a doctor. But in terms of dealing with the knee injury he suffered in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, he knows good news when he hears it.

Here's the unscientific version:

"All I know is that the leg bone and the knee bone smacked into each other, and that's not normal," Alexander said yesterday, his right leg wrapped in a bandage. "Everybody said I'm really blessed. Normally you do tear an MCL or an ACL. The bones are bruised, but the ligaments are all straight."

As in OK. Not damaged. All good.

All of which was good news for the Seahawks yesterday, after doctors performed an MRI on that very valuable right knee, an MRI that showed a bone bruise and not the ligament damage first feared by everyone, including Alexander.

That doesn't mean Alexander is a lock to play against Tampa Bay on Sunday, though. Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said his Pro Bowl running back will be day to day this week, that he might miss a week or two, or he might play Sunday.

Sunday Seahawks at Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m., Ch. 13

But any news that didn't involve the words "tear" or "sprain" or either of the two ligaments was good news, as far as the Seahawks are concerned.

"Thank goodness," Holmgren said. "It could have been a lot worse."

Alexander does profess to be a fast healer, and his theory will be tested this week and possibly next. If he can't go, the Seahawks will turn to their running-back-in-waiting, Maurice Morris, a man teammates call "Crazy Legs."

Holmgren Highlights Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren met with his team before a spring minicamp and detailed several key areas where he would like to see improvement. Improvement in just two of those areas, he told them, might mean the difference between a Super Bowl season and, well, a typical one. Here's a look at how the Seahawks fared in our Holmgren Highlights during their 21-7 win over New Orleans, along with a final analysis (step up, step back or running in place) for each category. 1. Cut down on the 43 sacks the offensive line allowed last season So far, so good. The Saints were playing without their franchise player, defensive end Darren Howard, but the Seahawks' O-line couldn't have done any better. It didn't yield a sack and paved the way for 415 yards of offense. Final analysis: Step up. 2. Improve opponent third-down conversion percentage The Seahawks ranked 30th in opponent third-down conversion percentage (42.1) last season and gave up more conversions (99) than any other team. This is another area where they excelled Sunday, allowing New Orleans only three conversions in 14 third-down attempts. Final analysis: Step up. 3. Don't drop so many passes The Seahawks are actually on pace to drop more passes this year (48) than they did last season (45). Koren Robinson flubbed two against New Orleans. Darrell Jackson (seven catches, 98 yards) didn't drop one, though. Final analysis: Running in place. 4.Bigger returns The Seahawks ranked 22nd in the NFL in average yards per kickoff return (20.9) last season. Maurice Morris returned twice for 46 yards on Sunday. Final analysis: Running in place. Greg Bishop

"Shaun Alexander would be the first to tell you, if he wasn't here, Maurice Morris would be a star," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "This kid can play. It just so happens he is backing up one of the great running backs in the NFL right now."

Those are big shoulder pads to fill, even for a guy like Morris, a former Oregon star who averaged 6.3 yards per carry last season. Alexander gained 135 yards on 28 carries and scored three touchdowns against the Saints — "He made someone very happy," Grant Wistrom joked, referring to fantasy football nation.

Alexander has scored at least one touchdown in 18 of the Seahawks' past 21 games. He has scored at least one rushing touchdown in their past six contests.

"He really does have a knack for (scoring) down there," Holmgren said. "I would just call it a gift that not everyone has. He has very good vision. He's as good as any back I've ever been around in that part of the field."

But, like Holmgren said, the Seahawks aren't going to forfeit on Sunday if Alexander doesn't play. Much like when linebacker Chad Brown broke his fibula during training camp, they will carry on.

Of his preparation for this game, a typically understated Morris said: "This is a normal week to me."

But not for the Seahawks if Alexander doesn't play. He has never missed a game — 65 in a row and counting — since the team took him in the first round of the 2000 draft. That's more than 1,000 carries, more than 4,000 yards rushing, more than 50 touchdowns.

How much would it impact what the Seahawks do?

	BILL FEIG / AP Bobby Engram, left, congratulates Shaun Alexander after Alexander scored against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Defensive end Chike Okeafor said defenses make a point of trying to stop the run, and when an offense succeeds, "It wears down the defense. It wears down the morale."

Alexander knows as much. He, too, is confident in Morris. But he knows this is a season filled with great expectations, part of which rest on his bruised right knee.

"The team's got high goals, and I don't want to be part of anything that can slow that down," he said. "Me not being there could slow it down a little bit."

Greg Bishop: 206-464-3191 or gbishop@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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