Alexander proving he's back, 201 different ways

Shaun Alexander exited Qwest Field to the chant that was his chorus one year ago.

"M-V-P. M-V-P. M-V-P."

Alexander completed his final run of the night with a smile beneath his stocking cap, wrapped in a parka that could have doubled as his cape.

Alexander needed three hours to remind a city and a league of exactly what the Seahawks had been missing for so much of this season by gaining more than 200 yards for the second time in his career.

He carried 40 times in his second game back from a broken foot, gained 201 yards and went a long way toward carrying the Seahawks to a victory on a night their quarterback turned the ball over four times in the first half.

"I think this is one of the real good days he had," coach Mike Holmgren said.

Only one has been better for Alexander. He rushed for 266 yards in a game against Oakland on Nov. 11, 2001.

Much has been made of Alexander's prime-time proficiency, but he had never gained more than 96 yards in any of his previous four games on Monday night.

This game might turn out to be the most significant because while Alexander might have returned to the field in San Francisco after missing six games, this was the game where he truly was back.

"Last week was kind of like my warm-up game," Alexander said. "You hate to take a game that really counts and warm up in it, but it was. And I think that our line really played well today and got into a groove early and helped us control the clock."

Alexander missed six of his team's 10 games with a broken bone in his left foot.

In the four games he did play, he never rushed for more than 89 yards and was held to 37 yards a week ago against the 49ers.

This was a breakout game. The kind of performance a city came to expect last season when he rushed for more than 100 yards in 11 of Seattle's 16 regular-season games.

Maybe it takes a fresh pair of eyes to see what Alexander really brings back to this team.

"You just never know what's going to happen," said Tom Ashworth, who started at right tackle. "At any time, he could really bust one out."

The Seahawks' ground game didn't evaporate in his absence. Maurice Morris rushed for more than 100 yards in two games this season, but Alexander brings a home-run hitter's swing to Seattle's backfield with his cutbacks and improvisations.

"What he has accomplished speaks for itself," said Will Heller, the backup tight end. "He's just got great instincts, unbelievable vision and it was real impressive to see him get going out there."

Alexander ran consistent as a metronome against Green Bay, gaining 104 yards in the first half and 97 in the second in conditions slippery enough traction tires were required. Alexander and the offensive line changed shoes in the first half. But Alexander is optimistic enough to find the bright side of a total eclipse, therefore he could even get warm feelings out of playing in the cold.

"It was like a high-school playoff game in Kentucky," Alexander said. "It's like you're a little kid, everybody just goes out there and plays. You get tackled and you slide for 5 yards."

But this was the game that could be remembered more for the Seahawks' running game taking a big step forward rather than sliding back. It was the kind of game in which his blockers never felt tired.

"Not right now," fullback Mack Strong said. "Especially not when you have days like today. You feel pretty good about being his lead blocker."

And the Seahawks felt pretty good letting Alexander carry them to this victory.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com