Seahawks
Alexander wants to stay with Hawks

By José Miguel Romero
Seattle Times staff reporter

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

Related stories NFL notebook: Ditka undecided on Senate

No matter where Shaun Alexander goes, he always seems to have fun.

From good-natured ribbing with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh McCown in front of television cameras to judging a local slam-dunk contest, Alexander has been quite visible this offseason. He has found time to travel around the country visiting family with wife Valerie, mainly to introduce relatives to the couple's baby daughter, Heaven, who was born last September.

But don't confuse Alexander's travels with the idea that he was avoiding being in Seattle. In fact, Alexander hopes he and his family will be around for a long time.

"I love Seattle, and I think Seattle loves me back," Alexander said. "Seattle is home. For me, I just go out there and score touchdowns and help the team win."

The subject of staying and playing in Seattle came up on the Fourth of July, when Alexander attended the Hood Classic basketball fundraiser event at Garfield High School as a celebrity judge for the dunk contest.

Alexander, who turns 27 on Aug. 30, will be in the last season of a five-year contract he signed after being drafted 19th overall in 2000.

Alexander is determined not to let the impending negotiations for a contract extension distract him.

"I keep things really simple," he said. "Financially I will always have enough. I've been blessed. I grew up in a two-bedroom apartment (in Kentucky). I believe the Seahawks will bring up a contract that's going to make everybody happy."

Seahawks president Bob Whitsitt said Alexander is part of the Seahawks' core and that the team would like to re-sign the running back. Whitsitt, however, said no serious talks about an extension have taken place.

Alexander, a Pro Bowl participant for the first time in February, will make $3.25 million in 2004 after he hit escalators in his contract that bumped his salary from its original $545,000 base. The escalator clause called for a significant raise if Alexander rushed for 1,000 yards in three seasons; he ran for 1,318 in 2001, 1,175 in 2002 and a career-best 1,435 yards last season.
 
The numbers, especially the touchdowns, have always been there. Alexander has rushed for 44 scores over the past three seasons and has caught six touchdown passes.

There has been speculation that Alexander seeks to play in a bigger market, where he can be showcased on a national level. And some have said he is not the type of back that best suits coach Mike Holmgren's offense, because of Alexander's proclivity to run from side to side searching for a hole instead of just hitting the pile in north-south fashion.

But Alexander denies wanting to be featured more prominently and feels he has a vote of confidence from Seahawks management to be re-signed.

"I don't think I go looking for the spotlight," he said. "I always say I'll let the Seahawks do what they have to do. It's a good thing to know you are wanted."

Mark Heligman, one of Alexander's agents, began preliminary discussions with Seahawks executives about a new contract in March. Heligman said he would like an extension to get done before the season starts in September.

"Shaun's first choice is to stay in Seattle," Heligman said. "He is more and more involved in the community. It's a great football team."

Heligman added that Alexander is not opposed to exploring his options if he hits the free-agent market next offseason and that his client has become more open to the possibility of becoming a free agent.

Alexander will almost certainly be costly because of his statistics and Pro Bowl status. Since becoming the starter in 2001, he has performed like one of the NFL's top 10 running backs, and that would seem to qualify him for a contract that averages at least $4.5 million per year. That was the average salary of the 10 highest-paid running backs in the league last season.

Alexander has found his niche in the Puget Sound. His wife is from the area. His engaging personality has made him a popular guest host on Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show Period" — on which he appeared earlier this month and interviewed McCown — and he has had regular segments on the local Fox Sports affiliate. His family foundation is also active in greater Seattle.

The television gigs are just for fun, he says; he chose to go to Los Angeles for the national show because he and his wife like to travel.

"It's fun to cut up with people on camera," Alexander said.

Alexander has a degree in marketing from Alabama and also studied advertising. But he isn't to the point of believing he could have a future on television.

For now, Alexander is fine with knowing that he may not be the top contractual priority for the Seahawks. Seattle is looking to sign Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to an extension, perhaps before training camp, and restart negotiations with the agent for Pro Bowl tackle Walter Jones after today.

Alexander said Hasselbeck and Jones want to remain with the Seahawks as well, especially because the coming season is filled with high expectations. The Seahawks are being touted by some as possible NFC champions.

"I look at all the great players the Seahawks have lost," Alexander said. "They didn't care if they stayed or went. I really do want to be here, if we can find a way to do it. It'll work out. I have great faith in the Seahawks."

Jose Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com