Mack Strong says Lynch > Alexander

[Seeker]

Did Strong really say any of that?? I would love to see or hear a direct quote. Not calling OP a liar, but them's some strong words.

word for word on the pregame show on kiro with no provocation. im not shaun hater and always stayed out of the debate until I heard someone who played with one of them made a comment.

You don't get a much more credible opinion than one of the most storied FB's in team history, compounded with the fact that he played with shaun during the 05 superbowl year. He even said Lynch is the one guy that makes him wish he could play again.

 

[HawkWow]

If I were to compare these two great backs to fighters, Lynch would be Julio Caesar Chavez and Alexander would be Pernell Whittaker.

Chavez was notorious for pounding away at an opponents body, wearing him down, setting him up for the KO. This is what Lynch does with his style. He punishes tacklers, wears them down, then breaks the long gainer. Sometimes causing earthquakes.

Alexander, like Whittaker, preferred a safety first approach to his craft. He'd subject the tackler, or opponent, to a plethora of angles, then attack the opponents weakness, or opening, with speed, grace and fluid movement.

Apples to oranges.

I much prefer the style of Lynch, but appreciate Alexanders philosophy. SA was never apologetic about his running style and his reasoning hard to argue "I have a responsibility to stay healthy for this team. Fighting for an extra yard is unimportant in the bigger picture".

Both great backs and both deserve ring of honor (IMO).

 

[Lonnie]

Says if we would have had him in 2005 we would have had 2500 yards.
says Shaun was good but sometimes, the field got a little "slippery" and the sidelines played good linebacker.

I was never an Alexander fan, but I enjoyed what he did for the Hawks. Back in '05 I bought an SA jersey and promptly gave it away to a friend of mine. A week later my wife took pity on me and bought me another. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to be a good guy. It is still hanging in my closet. On gamedays I breakout my Mack Strong jersey and my wife asks why I don't wear the Alexander jersey. I told her that there is something itchy about it...

 

[kf3339]

SA was a great RB for the Hawks. You have to give him credit for what he accomplished. But the reality is that once Hutch left the O-Line wasn't the same and he never came close to being that SA his last few years; injuries or not.

Lynch hasn't had a truly settled O-Line like our 2005 version since he came to the Hawks. Yet he has stilled put up two straight 1000+ seasons, while making both Pro Bowls and named an All-Pro last season. Even this season with a really inconsistent line with multiple injuries he is still averaging towards a 1400+ yard rushing season and already has nearly as many pass receiving yards as last year. He is well on his way to another Pro Bowl and All Pro year.

If you look at both RB's results just through their respective O-lines or lack thereof it is pretty clear Lynch is the better RB. Last, watching Lynch the last three years and remembering SA's running style I will say I never have seen Lynch tackle himself when nearing physical contact that SA did all too often in his day.

So while I will always be fond of SA as a Hawk, I would easily pick Lynch to build my team around. Just saying.

 

[hawk45]

The comment isn't really even that controversial to me. Lynch over SA any day of the week. Mack knows what it's like to throw himself into a wall time after time and I'm sure he loves a guy like Lynch who really honors the sacrifice, not just in the red zone or on Monday Night. Lynch is a guy who will save your butt even if you missed your block, by dragging guys to the LOS.

SA was a fantastic talent, unstoppable in the red zone or under bright lights, or when he got all-world blocking. But if you needed a guy to block for your QB, fight for yards to stop a drive being stalled by a TFL, or run hard outside the red zone, he wasn't your dude. I am unapologetic for loving Lynch for being everything Shaun wasn't.

 

[SalishHawkFan]

How about we just toast to having two great running backs play with our franchise?

:thirishdrinkers:

Agreed. A toast to Marshawn Lynch and Curt Warner! :th2thumbs:

 

[Lords of Scythia]

What pisses people off about Alexander was how he got his big contract, then switched to the take-a-knee-and-wait-for-contact technique of being tackled.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

Betcha SA feels stabbed in the back right now.

I personally agree that it's apples to oranges. Honestly, we need to see how long Lynch lasts before crowning him the best of all time.

 

[HawkWow]

How about we just toast to having two great running backs play with our franchise?

:thirishdrinkers:

Agreed. A toast to Marshawn Lynch and Curt Warner! :th2thumbs:

Good stuff. But as much as I love 'em, I'd take John L. over both.

 

[HawkWow]

Betcha SA feels stabbed in the back right now.

I personally agree that it's apples to oranges. Honestly, we need to see how long Lynch lasts before crowning him the best of all time.

Haha...I didn't catch the SA quote the first time I read it. Good stuff!

 

[drrew]

Love Marshawn Lynch, maybe my favorite player to watch all time, but using him to denigrate SA is nonsense.

Shaun Alexander in '05 had the greatest ever season by any Seahawk at any position. Look up his numbers that year, they were absolutely obscene.

 

[SalishHawkFan]

Bevell says Lynch cannot have the ball.

 

[JSeahawks]

We should hire Mack as our new offensive coordinator.

 

[imnKOgnito]

Lynch would have been frustrated behind that line because the holes were so big there wasn't anyone to hit.