Fansided

Every NFL team’s most overrated player of all time

By Jarrett Bailey

22 Oct 2000: Quarterback Steve Beuerlein #7 of the Carolina Panthers scrambles with the ball during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 34-16.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport
22 Oct 2000: Quarterback Steve Beuerlein #7 of the Carolina Panthers scrambles with the ball during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers defeated the 49ers 34-16.Mandatory Credit: Craig Jones /Allsport /
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Seattle’s #37 Shaun Alexander works to pick up yardage against the Titans December 18, 2005, at the Coliseum, in Nashville, Tennessee. Seattle defeated Tennessee 28-24. (Photo by Rex Brown/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Seattle’s #37 Shaun Alexander works to pick up yardage against the Titans December 18, 2005, at the Coliseum, in Nashville, Tennessee. Seattle defeated Tennessee 28-24. (Photo by Rex Brown/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

Seattle Seahawks: Shaun Alexander

Shaun Alexander looked like he was going to be one of the game’s great running backs of all time. In the early-mid 2000s, he was one of the best running backs in football. He led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2001 with 14, and he had five consecutive seasons in which he ran for over 1,000 yards.

The Seahawks rode Alexander in that time span, both literally and figuratively. He carried the ball over 300 times on four occasions, including 370 carries in 2005 when he was named the NFL MVP. He also led the NFL with 1,880 yards and a then-NFL record 27 touchdowns. This would be the last season of 1,000 yards rushing for Alexander, and he would be out of the league three years later.

So what happened? Alexander was used a ton, so it could have been just a mileage issue where he was just burnt out. He also ran behind an amazing offensive line that constantly opened up holes for him. Having Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson on the same offensive line made it easy for Alexander to constantly find holes. His peak was very brief and the falloff was even quicker.

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