Seahawks Notes: Alexander mistaken for Barber twins

KIRKLAND — Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander is one of the most recognizable personalities in the Seattle area. But even after all the records and touchdowns and yards, he's still mistaken for someone else.

Make that two people: Twins.

At last season's Pro Bowl in Hawaii, a fan approached Alexander while he was standing in a line and offered congratulations on being selected to the NFL all-star game. Alexander thanked the man, who then asked Alexander what he thought about living in New York.

Alexander doesn't live or play in New York. But Tiki Barber, the New York Giants running back, is to some people a dead ringer for Alexander, and vice versa. Alexander was once recognized as himself while visiting New York, but was once mistaken for Barber while at a Sonics game at KeyArena.

"I said, 'I'm not Tiki Barber, he's in the other line.' And he said, 'Oh, so you're Ronde? Well, congratulations again,' " Alexander said. Ronde Barber is Tiki's twin brother who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "It was good. I've been called Tiki several times."

For the record, Tiki Barber is shorter (5-foot-10) than Alexander by an inch, and weighs 25 pounds less (200). Alexander leads the NFL in rushing yards with 1,229, while Barber is fourth with 967.

"I love matchups where guys are good and under the radar," Alexander said of Barber. "I'll see him before the game and say, 'I know what you've been doing,' and let him know as I make some runs and he makes some runs that it's going to be a fun competition."

Gray's milestone

Right guard Chris Gray is about to make his 101st consecutive start for the Seahawks, which will give him the franchise record in that category when he takes the field Sunday.

Cortez Kennedy had 100 starts in a row from 1991 to 1997 and owned the record until Gray tied it last week. Typical of his low-profile position, Gray isn't making much of the milestone. "I haven't been injured. That's the biggest thing," Gray said. "You don't think about that stuff. I still have to start this week. Make it through practice."

Gray said Seattle coach Mike Holmgren mentioned the streak to the team after Saturday's practice.

"I don't expect anything," Gray said. "The big thing ... is winning. No one is going to look through the record books to see who has the most consecutive starts. Super Bowl, playoffs, winning the division, that's what matters."

Notes

• WR Darrell Jackson, still out after knee surgery, is back in the area and getting treatment. He won't return this week. "The worst thing we can do is bring him back too soon," Holmgren said.

• S John Howell is out for at least this week after pulling a hamstring against San Francisco. Holmgren lamented Howell's loss, but added that Howell's replacement, second-year S Etric Pruitt, comes with good special-teams credentials as well.

• Others who are hurt: DT Marcus Tubbs (strained left calf) did not practice and is questionable for Sunday's game; DE Bryce Fisher is probable with a left knee injury; LB D.D. Lewis practiced and is probable with right knee soreness.

• Giants TE Jeremy Shockey is questionable for Sunday with a chest injury, but is expected to play.

• Holmgren will continue his annual Thanksgiving tradition of serving meals with his wife Kathy and family members at a local Salvation Army dinner.

• The Seahawks-49ers game Sunday earned a 24.3 rating on local television, the highest rating of the season for a Seahawks broadcast.