Seahawks lock up Alexander

[Displaced Flames fan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...x.html?cnn=yes

8 years, $62 M

[burn_baby_burn]

How much will his production go down now that he has his money?

[pekka]

How much will his production go down now that he has his money?

Thats nice thing about non-gauranteed contracts. It looks like of that 62mil only around 15 is gauranteed if his production drops off much in year 3 -8 he would likely be dropped and then only certain parts of the contract would count against their cap.

So at his age and position he benefits by putting up large numbers and continuing with this contract because if he drops off that money wont be put on the table by another team.

[Displaced Flames fan]

I don't see his production dropping off anytime soon. It's not like he came out of nowhere and had one monster season in a contract year. He's been solidly great from day 1.

[Lurch]

Almost all NFL contracts are moot after year 3 or 4 anyway, as they usually have absurd roster bonuses, etc. that force renegotiation or a cut (for example, Steve McNair this year). There is no way Alexander will play out this contract - 100% guaranteed. At 29 this season (I think) Alexander could have 3 to 4 years left in him (with some luck), and will be cut at that point, IMO.

As for whether he will drop off, that is the beauty/tragedy of the NFL. Look at Marshall Faulk, Priest Holmes, Robert Smith, Terrell Davis, etc - no indication of a drop off, one or two injuries - career is off the rails. Age 30 is the magic # at RB - generally, any production after that is what gets you in the HOF. Year 2 or 3 is when the stats really take off (generally), year 5 or 6 is the peak, and the end can come in a hurry for even the best from there. If Alexander holds up for 3 more years, he HOF material - if not, he joins a long list of guys good enough, but not durable enough.