Marshawn Lynch vs. Shaun Alexander

[RussB]

Was he better than lynch and would you start him over lynch.

 

[Basis4day]

Swap the respective o-lines they played for and i think it's pretty clear who to choose.

 

[Rat]

Apples and oranges. We are fortunate to have one and have had the other.

 

[Hollandhawk]

Is this even up for debate? How many times would Alexander run into the secondary untouched and then go down on first contact? If Lynch had those opportunities he'd put entire secondaries on IR.

 

[sutz]

No. Not on this team in this era.

Now, I always loved Shaun and I think he gets a bad rap around here sometimes. Some of the criticism is justified, TBS. But his greatest accomplishment is winning the rushing title (almost twice) on a Mike Holmgren coached team. I remember saying definitely when he first got here, relax guys. Holmgren passes 60-65% of the time, Alexander will never win a rushing title here. I was wrong about that.

But it was a different time, a different situation, team, and attitude. Shaun would do well here, I'm sure, but I prefer 'Shawn over Shaun in the here and now.

 

[Sac]

I'd prefer Shaun's O-Line.

 

[northseahawk]

Is this a joke?? Lynch gets his yards while Alexander was given his yards. That oline with Lynch, there wouldnt have been a need for a qb or a passing game.

 

[acer1240]

This has been discussed many times here and it seems the vast majority would go with Lynch. I would take Lynch in a heartbeat. Alexander always had that home run threat but he never exactly wore down a defense the way Lynch is able to. Alexander had better vision and quicker feet but Lynch is just about that action, boss. He'll run a fool's ass over all game long.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Must be a slow day at work.

 

[IndyHawk]

Lynch earns his yards.Shaun had his given to him

 

[12thbrah]

Lynch would run for over 2000 yards behind walter Jones and Hutch

 

[Chapow]

Ugh.

I realize you're new here, but we've had this debate countless times on .net. This is going to devolve in to an Alexander bashing thread. It always does.

For some reason there are people that just can't see, or won't admit, that we were very blessed to be able to watch a great RB playing behind a great O Line. Many will give all the credit to the O Line and none to Alexander. After all, "So and so's Grandma could've run for 1000 yards behind that offensive line" :roll:

Whatever, it's lame. I love Alexander and what he did for this team and I love Lynch and what he's done for this team. They are both great backs IMO.

 

[kearly]

I don't think it's as simple as saying that Lynch would have 2000 yards and 30 TDs behind the 2005 O-line. Shaun's vision and burst complimented the Holmgren era perfectly. As much as we malign Tom Cable's offensive lines, they've been pretty good at run blocking from 2012-2014 (ranking 4th, 9th, and 4th in run blocking by FO), and Lynch never sniffed records during that time. (Seattle ranked 6th in run blocking in 2005).

Lynch is the better back overall. But like a WR or QB who excels in a system, you have to respect a guy who fits his environment and puts up huge numbers. For example, Lynch is way more talented than LeVeon Bell, but would he put up better production in that offense? I kinda doubt it. Lynch is one of the best tough backs ever, but he's more of a 'hidden yardage' guy who makes plays to help you win games than someone who puts up #1 yardage.

 

[pmedic920]

Must be a slow day at work.

This is exactly the type of comment we could do without.
Feel free to PM me, if you want me to explain why.

 

[Hawkstorian]

Lynch gets his yards while Alexander was given his yards.

I'm sorry you never got to see Shaun play. He was an incredible cut-back runner. He earned every yard he got.

 

[RastaHawk12!]

I loved Shaun. He was a class act and a good Seahawk.

But... Lynch behind Hutch and Walt is every 12's wet dream.

 

[TwistedHusky]

This is the Emmit vs Barry Sanders debate all over again.

Back in the day, everyone knew that Smith was getting 3-4 yards before he was even touched. While Barry would lose yards all the time, but somehow break free to take over games repeatedly.

Of course, Barry had no FB and his QB was the biggest loser. (literally)

E. Smith was still a fantastic if not transcendent runner but there is no way that Barry Sanders would not have broken every record in the book behind that line.

Same thing with Lynch. Alexander was a great RB at getting behind his blockers and just bursting free. But you could knock the guy over with a can of compressed air. And he had one of the best OT to EVER play blocking for him, as well as one of the best guards in the league (Who was so good he made half of the Seahawk fans hate the Vikings for half a decade or more. The Vikings, a team that has done nothing since the 1960s.).

Lynch behind that line would be ridiculous.

It shouldn't even be a debate, Lynch is tiers better of a runningback than Alexander. Alexander is nowhere near an HOF type back. Lynch at his prime is arguably the match for many RBs in the HOF. There is only a longevity issue and I think even that will be offset by the sheer visibility of his successes on the field. He is the engine that powers the success of the Seahawks team, along with that defense.

Given how strong some of the teams in the SB chase were, including one of the best offenses ever, I don't think we would have even made it to the SB with Shaun instead of Lynch. But Lynch on that old Seahawk team with that line would have PWNED what turned out to be one of the weakest SB winners ever, that Steeler team. They would have lost by 14+ minimum, even with our safety getting beaten up by a street sign.

Lynch by miles and miles.(not even close)

 

[Decimation]

I loved Shaun Alexander and his tenure with the Seahawks. He was something special as a running back and I will always be thankful for what he did for the Hawks in the Holmgren era. His 2005 season was spectacular and was one of the huge reasons he got us to the Super Bowl.

Our offensive line was undeniably amazing that year too with Hutch, Big Walt, etc. Shaun and Marshawn are both different type of backs, but both are/were special in their own ways. At the end of the day I would obviously chose Lynch because he's a huge game changer even behind our mediocre offensive line.

 

[Sealake80]

I would take Lynch. But... remember when as soon as we got in the red zone it seemed like handing the ball to Shaun Alexander assured a touchdown? I haven't seen any running back who was a given TD from anywhere inside the 20 yard line the way he was for a time. At least it felt that way. And I liked the feeling. God that was fun to watch.

I was there for Beast Quake though and that elevates the Beast over any other back in my mind. All time greatest!!! :0190l:

Oh yeah. I don't think any back in the NFL would start over Lynch on this team.

 

[hawknation2015]

Is this even up for debate?

No.