In the course of two regular-season games to start the 2006 campaign, Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander has gone from uncontainable league MVP to just another stoppable ball carrier. Though Seattle's currently 2-0, the offense hasn't looked anything like itself from last year, when the unit finished tops in the NFL, helping lead the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl bid. Well, Alexander was at the forefront of the offensive output last year, and now he's standing out again, but not in a good way.After a pair of contests against mediocre-at-best defenses, the 29-year-old Alexander has gained just 140 ground yards on 45 carries, good enough for an awful 3.1 per-carry average. His one total touchdown? Enough to make those who spent high first-round picks on him in fantasy leagues Reebok Minnesota Vikings 28 Adrian Peterson Realtree camo Jersey
vomit. Last season the former first-round pick from Alabama set an all-time league record, with 28 total touchdowns. It was expected to be much of the same this year, but not so far. So, why is Alexander having such difficulty? The reason for his struggles are twofold. One of those excuses sounds quite ridiculous, but it's actually becoming a proven fact. The second is, indeed, very obvious.First off, there's the dreaded "Madden curse." Yep, that's right. There really is one, so stop laughing. Of course, said curse refers to Alexander being among a list of unfortunate names to take the bait and appear on the cover of the Madden video game franchise. The last few Pro Bowlers on the box - Eddie George, Daunte Culpepper, Marshall Faulk, Michael Vick, Ray Lewis and Donovan McNabb - have Reebok Minnesota Vikings #4 Brett Favre Realtree camo Jersey
all experienced misfortune in their respective cover years, whether by uncharacteristically poor play or injury. So far, Alexander's clearly suffering from the former. Every year the wide-eyed Madden star insists there's no curse. And every year they're proven dead wrong. It can't be coincidence, can it? Doubt it.If you aren't one to believe in what's perceived as a silly superstition, then take a look at the suddenly vulnerable line in front of Alexander. The unit used to be dominant in terms of run blocking, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore. Seattle had to part ways with arguably the best left guard in football, Steve Hutchinson, during the offseason, and it's clearly hurt the formerly tremendous O-line. No longer is the group dominant, and now Hutchinson's replacement, Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack, is sidelined up to six weeks with a knee ailment. Taking his place will be green second-year man Chris Spencer, a 2005 first-round pick. Perhaps he, like Hutchinson, can quickly become a first-round star. At least, that's what those in the Pacific Northwest are hoping.It doesn't matter which excuse you use. The bottom line is, the 5-foot-11, 225-pound Alexander hasn't been himself this September. Maybe it's all an aberration, but struggling against the less-than-mighty run defenses ofReebok Minnesota Vikings #69 Jared Allen Realtree camo Jersey
the Detroit Lions (19 carries, 51 yards) and the Arizona Cardinals (26, 89) is certainly quite alarming. If Alexander had difficulty against those two units, he might have an even tougher time this weekend against the New York Giants' defense, even though it's far from dominant.The Seahawks' offense obviously wants to regain its marvelous form, but the wheels won't begin turning until Alexander becomes himself again. This Sunday, it's high time he steps up for the first time since last January.--Got feedback? Connor J. Byrne responds to readers' comments and questions each day: cbyrneGet more on the Seattle Seahawks .
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