Pete_Prisco

When the Seattle Seahawks signed Shaun Alexander to a long-term deal a few years ago, I wrote a column that I expected him to take the money -- and not run. He's done just that. And now it looks as if he could be gone. The Seahawks signed Julius Jones to a contract Friday and that could be the move that spells the end for Alexander. Since signing his deal, Alexander hasn't lived up to the hype. He's been bothered by injuries, but he also doesn't run with the same pop. For years, teammates said Alexander was too much about Shaun than the team. Once he got the money, we saw that to be the case. In the past two seasons, Alexander has started 20 of a possible games. He rushed for 1,612 yards in those two seasons, less than the 1,880 he had the year before he signed the new deal. Alexander turns 31 in August, which is old by NFL running-back standards. With Jones and T.J. Duckett both signing contracts with the Seahawks, it could be the end of Alexander. They also have Maurice Morris, who some scouts say ran better than Alexander last season. Alexander is due to make $4.5 million in 2008, so the Seahawks could opt to release him. If they do, they would be on the hook for $6.9 million if his pro-rated signing bonus on their cap, but they could split it between this year's cap and next year's cap. It sure looks as if Alexander is gone. Seahawks fans killed me for years for being hard on Alexander. Maybe they should have listened. As it turned out, I was right.