Running back getting acquainted with new teammates and old friends
New teammates ribbed him a bit, calling out his name as they walked past, as he fielded questions from reporters. Another new teammate, who happens to be the player ahead of him on the depth chart, joked about wanting to punch him the stomach. Consider it payback for his role in bumping the Redskins from the playoffs — twice.
After just one day, Shaun Alexander already felt at ease in his new home. No wonder he beamed as he walked off the practice field in his No. 35 jersey.
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“It just fits,” said Alexander, rejoining Alabama teammates Cornelius Griffin and Chris Samuels. “I’m really excited.”
The Redskins signed Alexander Tuesday to replace Ladell Betts, out for a couple weeks with a mild sprained knee. Alexander will back up starter Clinton Portis, who leads the league in carries (136) and yards (643).
But Alexander, the 2005 league MVP, is familiar with the offense having played in a similar system in Seattle. In nine seasons with the Seahawks, he rushed for 9,429 yards and caught 214 passes for 1,511 yards. He only had a combined 1,612 yards rushing the past two years, thanks to his own injuries and changes along the offensive line.
“Shaun has an interesting style of running,” said Redskins coach Jim Zorn, an assistant in Seattle when Alexander played there. “If it wasn’t there he wasn’t going to push it. That’s a different style than Ladell or Clinton. If it’s not there, they push it. Those are the things we’re hoping grow on him here.
“He has uncanny acceleration. His cuts are immediate and he has that same kind of speed. I could see it out there [Wednesday].”
Alexander and Zorn said he could contribute Sunday against Cleveland. But he’ll still sit behind Portis, giving the Redskins the most prolific backfield in the NFL. The two have combined for 17,787 yards rushing.
“You’d never think Clinton Portis and Shaun Alexander would be in the same backfield,” Portis said, “but [stuff] happens. … Two years ago they gave him $63 million. Two years later you’re telling me this man can’t play football anymore?”
Alexander, who had workouts for New Orleans, Detroit and Cincinnati earlier this season, said he hopes Portis rushes for 2,000 yards.
“We’ve always been real cool,” he said. “People who have talent and have done good things for their team always respect other guys. I have nothing but respect for Clinton; he’s an amazing player and he’s given me the same love. Any time you’ve got two guys who play hard and like to win, it always works out.”
