Its a terrible time to be an aging running back. The Carolina Panthers have recently parted ways with 28 year old rb DeShaun Foster, and it seems that the Seattle Seahawks will soon be cutting former MVP rb Shaun Alexander. Foster has never been what the panthers expected when they drafted him in the 2nd round of the 2002 NFL draft. Foster, a former UCLA bruin, ran for 41 touchdowns in his 4 years with the Bruins and ranked in the top 10 overall at UCLA in touchdowns, yards and points scored. However in the NFL he never once ran for 900 yards or scored more than 4 tds in one year. The Panthers decided to draft another college star in the 2006 NFL draft in DeAngelo Williams. Williams has been the better running back over the last 2 years average a higher ypc and more tds.
Shaun Alexander, 30, however was one the brightest stars just 2 years ago. He was awarded the MVP back in 2005 when he ran for 1880 yards, scored 27 tds (an NFL record at the time) and ran for 5.1 yards per carry. He was considered to be one the best running backs, never having a ypc less than 4.0 in his entire career and having rushed for over 1000 yards in 5 straight seasons. During that time period, 2001- 2005, he scored 87 rushing tds as well. He had also never missed a game in his NFL career playing in all 16 games every year including his rookie year. The Seahawks saw this and decided to reward their star back by signing him to a massive extension of 8 years for 62 millions dollars with a signing bonus of 11.5 million dollars. It was the largest contract for a rb ever at the time.
However, once rewarded for his effort it seemed Alexander had little motivation. In 2006 he rushed for a career low 3.6 ypc and only 896 yards, his worst mark since his rookie campaign. He also missed his first game of his NFL career... when he broke a bone in his foot and missed 6 games. He did however score 7 touchdowns, but as a whole his 2006 season was a disaster by any account. His career seemed to only get worse though, as last season he was only able to play in 13 games last year due to an injured wrist. Even when he was healthy enough to play, he seemed to be very unproductive and seemed to have lost a step. Alexander only ran for 716 yards and 4 tds, by far the lowest totals of his career since his rookie season. He averaged only 3.5 ypc and was often times considered to be too slow and too indecisive throughout the year.
However, once rewarded for his effort it seemed Alexander had little motivation. In 2006 he rushed for a career low 3.6 ypc and only 896 yards, his worst mark since his rookie campaign. He also missed his first game of his NFL career... when he broke a bone in his foot and missed 6 games. He did however score 7 touchdowns, but as a whole his 2006 season was a disaster by any account. His career seemed to only get worse though, as last season he was only able to play in 13 games last year due to an injured wrist. Even when he was healthy enough to play, he seemed to be very unproductive and seemed to have lost a step. Alexander only ran for 716 yards and 4 tds, by far the lowest totals of his career since his rookie season. He averaged only 3.5 ypc and was often times considered to be too slow and too indecisive throughout the year.
To me both teams are making wise decisions. DeShaun Foster's replacement, DeAngelo Williams is a better running back than Foster is, with a much higher ceiling. Foster has never been all that productive and really is a pretty average running back at best. Look for him to get minor interest from a team like the Houston Texans who do not even have an average running back on their roster, or from a team like the Arizona Cardinals who could use a replacement for the aging and declining Edgerrin James.
Alexander's release may come as more of a surprise around the league, as he is only 2 years removed from his MVP season. However, Alexander, who has never been considered to be a fast back seems to have lost what little step he ever had and has become more of a pussy when trying to hit holes that his line creates. His ypc has dropped the last 2 years for a few reasons. First, obviously, because he isn't a good running back. 2nd, because his line, which was one of the best in the NFL back in 2005 is not nearly as good anymore. After his MVP season, the Vikings signed all pro guard Steve Hutchinson away from the Hawks, drastically hurting the line. It is no coincidence that Alexander's numbers have declined with the loss of one of the best guards in the NFL.
In the end, this is proof that in the nfl running backs grow on trees. Each year a back seems to break out and become an NFL star, exemplified by Adrian Peterson's break out rookie season. Year in and year out new running backs enter the league and take over for aging veterans who are no longer serviceable. With the amount of hits an nfl rb takes its no surprise that a 28 year old running back is considered to be old and no longer useful to his current team, and that a 30 year old, ex MVP, running back has "lost a step." In the NFL, no job is harder to keep than the position of running back.
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