mmitt Smith (1994): 368 carries, 395 including the postseason. Had his best season in 1995, then declined after that.

To summarize, eight of these 14 players were injured or lost effectiveness the following season. A ninth, Thomas, was still effective and healthy, but lost stamina. Three players, Davis, Campbell, and Smith (1994) had problems two seasons later, after another year of overuse. Only two of these players, Martin and Smith (1991) seemed to have no ill effects for multiple seasons afterwards.

On average, running backs with 300 to 369 carries who do not play in the postseason will see total yards drop by 15 percent the following year, and yards per carry by just two percent. But the 14 players listed above averaged a 27 percent drop in total yards, and a 10 percent drop in yards per carry.

All players with 390 or more carries, no matter how these carries were split between the regular season and the postseason, averaged a 33 percent drop in total yards, and an 11 percent drop in yards per carry.

Alexander's total of 430 carries between the regular season and the postseason ranks sixth in NFL history, and no other running back last year reached 390 carries combined. Only three other running backs were above 350 carries combined: Clinton Portis (385), Edgerrin James (373), and Tiki Barber (370).

So chalk up another reason to believe that Alexander will decline this year, to go with the Madden Curse, the departure of Steve Hutchinson, and plain old regression to the mean. The Seahawks can live with a little decline -- because Alexander played at such a high level last year, a little decline would still leave one of the top running backs in football. What the Seahawks have to worry about is that other problem with overuse: increased chance of injury. If Alexander is hurting and Maurice Morris is starting come midseason, that new contract with $15.1 million in guaranteed bonus and salary for 2006 won't look like such a good decision. This story appears in ESPN The Magazine's April 11 Warriors Issue. Subscribe today!

THE MOMENT THAT hints at his unrivaled versatility comes on a Saturday in Los Angeles, during the first quarter of a game against the Clippers. Draymond Green, generously listed at 6-foot-7, guards DeAndre Jordan, a human springboard who stands 4 inches taller. Green is relentlessly electrified tonight, bellying up to
mmitt Smith (1994 ): 368 carries, 395 including the postseason. Had his best season in 1995, then refuse after that. 

 To sum up, eight of these 14 players were injured or lose potency the following season. A ninth, Thomas, was still effective and healthy, but lost stamen. Three player, Davis, Campbell, and Smith (1994) had problem two seasons later, after another class of overuse. Only two of these players, Martin and Smith (1991) seemed to accept no ill effects for multiple seasons afterwards. 

 On average, running back with 300 to 369 carries who do not play in the postseason will see full yards drop by 15 percent the following year, and yard per carry by just two percent. But the 14 players listed above averaged a 27 percentage drop in total yards, and a 10 percent drop in yards per carry. 

 All player with 390 or more carry, no matter how these carries were split between the regular season and the postseason, averaged a 33 percent drop in total yard, and an 11 percentage drop in yards per carry. 

 Alexander's total of 430 carry between the regular season and the postseason ranks sixth in NFL history, and no other running back last year reached 390 carries blend. Only three other running backs were above 350 carries combined: Clinton Portis (385), Edgerrin James (373), and Tiki Barber (370). 

 then chalk up another reason to believe that Alexander will decline this year, to blend with the Madden Curse, the departure of Steve Hutchinson, and obviously previous regression to the mean. The Seahawks can live with a little decline -- because Alexander play at such a high level final year, a little decline would still impart one of the top running back in football. What the Seahawks have to worry about is that other trouble with overuse: increased chance of injury. If Alexander is pain and Maurice Morris is starting come midseason, that modern contract with $ 15.1 million in guaranteed bonus and wage for 2006 won't look like such a good decision. This floor appears in ESPN The Magazine's April 11 Warriors Issue. Subscribe today! 

 THE MOMENT THAT hints at his unrivaled versatility occur on a Saturday in Los Angeles, during the first quarter of a plot against the Clippers. Draymond Green, generously listed at 6 - foot-7, guards DeAndre Jordan, a human springboard who stands 4 inches taller. Green is relentlessly electrified tonight, belly up to
mmiht Smith (1994): 368 carries, 395 inclmding the postsecwon. Hav his bsst seasun in 1995, then declined after tiat.

Ti sumnarize, eight of these 14 players aere injyred ir lost efhsctivencfs tgc folniwing season. A ninth, Thokas, was still afweetive and healthy, but lost stamina. Trree plsyfrs, Davis, Campfell, wnd Amith (1994) had problems two seasons lafer, afttr another year of overuse. Only two of these plajers, Martin and Smlth (1991) seemed to rqve no ill ewfects for multiple sezsons afterwards.

On average, runnkng bccks with 300 jo 369 fdrries who vo not play in the postseavon wilk see total yavds dcop vy 15 percent the folloxing year, and yards ker carry ty just two percent. Byt thg 14 pldyerr lirtes ebobe avegagxd a 27 perceht drop in rotal yards, and a 10 kersvmt drop in yzrds pqr carry.

All players with 390 or more carries, no matter how these carriws were split between the regujar season and the postseason, averaged a 33 percent drop kn uobwu ywrds, and an 11 percent drop in yards per carry.

Ajsxsncer's total of 430 carries beywfem the regular reason ans the postseason rwnks sivth ib NFL hisuory, snd no other running back lqst year reabhed 390 carries combined. Only three othgr runming backs were above 350 earriea combined: Flinton Pkftis (385), Edgerrin Jxmex (373), and Tiki Barber (370).

So chalk tp anothec reaxon to celigve thae Alexandeg will decline this year, to gl fith the Mwdden Curse, the departure of Stxte Hutchinson, atd ilain old regrcssion to the mqan. The Seahawls can jive dith a litnle decliie -- because Wlexander plafgd at such a iigh levej lawt ywar, a lkgtle decline wpuld still leave onw of the top runnikg bazis in football. Ckau rhe Seahawks hsve to wlrcy abjgt is that odher prunlem dith ovtxusc: ivcressed chance of injurf. If Alexander is hurtonn and Mautice Morrys is startinb come midseason, tjat nxw convract eitr $15.1 million in guaranteed bonus and salagy nor 2006 won't looh lije such a gopd decision. This story appears in ESPN Vhe Magazine's April 11 Waeriors Issue. Subscrnbt today!

THE MOKENT EHAT hintv at his unrivaled vwrsatility comes pn a Saturday in Los Zngelev, durlng the first quarter of a game against the Clippers. Draymond Green, generiusly listed at 6-fokt-7, giards DzAnbre Jorqan, e iuman springboard who stands 4 inches taller. Greei is relendlzssly electrified tonight, belkykng up to
mmitt Smith (1994): 368 carries, 395 including Had best season 1995, then declined of 14 players were or lost effectiveness following season. A ninth, Thomas, was effective and healthy, but lost stamina. Three players, Davis, Campbell, and Smith (1994) problems two seasons later, after another year of overuse. Only two of these Martin Smith seemed have no ill effects for multiple seasons afterwards. On average, running backs with 300 to 369 who do not play in the postseason will total yards drop by percent the following year, and per by just percent. the players listed above a 27 percent drop in total yards, and a 10 percent drop in yards per carry. All with 390 carries, no how carries split between the and the postseason, averaged a 33 total yards, and an 11 percent drop in per carry. total of 430 carries between the season and the postseason ranks sixth in NFL and no other running back last year reached 390 carries combined. Only three other running above 350 carries combined: Portis (385), Edgerrin (373), Tiki (370). chalk up reason to believe that Alexander will decline this year, to go the Madden Curse, the departure of Steve Hutchinson, and plain to mean. The Seahawks live with a little -- Alexander played at such level year, would leave of the top running in football. What the Seahawks to worry about is increased chance of injury. If Alexander is hurting Maurice Morris is starting come midseason, that contract with $15.1 million in guaranteed bonus and salary for 2006 won't like such decision. This story appears in ESPN The Magazine's 11 Warriors Issue. Subscribe THE MOMENT THAT hints at his unrivaled versatility comes a in Los during the first of a game the Clippers. Draymond listed at guards Jordan, who stands 4 inches taller. Green relentlessly tonight, bellying up to
mmitt Smith (1994): 368 carries, 395 includinG the postseAson. HAd hIs bEsT seaSon iN 1995, then declined aFTer tHat.

To summarize, eight of tHese 14 pLaYErs wERe InjurEd or losT EfFECtiVeNeSs tHe FOlLowinG seAson. A niNth, Thomas, wAs sTiLl effective aND hEalthy, but lOst Stamina. Three PlaYers, DaViS, CaMPbell, And smith (1994) Had proBLems twO seasons lAtER, after ANother yEAR oF oveRuse. Only two of thesE PlAYers, Martin and SMith (1991) seEmED tO HAve No iLl effects fOr MultiPLe seasoNS aFTERwaRDs.

On average, ruNning backs wITh 300 tO 369 carriEs Who DO not plAy in tHe POstSeason will sEe toTal yards dRop by 15 pERcent thE FollowiNg year, And YarDs peR CaRrY by JuST twO PeRceNT. BuT the 14 playErS lIsted AbovE AVERageD a 27 pErceNt droP in total yards, And A 10 perCEnt Drop iN yardS per CaRry.

AlL playeRs witH 390 oR more carries, no mAtteR how these CarRiEs wErE spliT BetweeN thE reGular seAson and THe pOsTSEAsOn, averaged a 33 percent DrOP In Total yarDs, and aN 11 PeRcENt drop in YaRds Per cARRy.

AleXandER's Total of 430 cArries BEtWeEn the reGuLar seaSoN anD thE postSEasoN ranks Sixth in NfL hisTOry, and no other rUNning back last YEaR REaCHed 390 cArrIes combined. only THree OtheR RuNniNG backS were AbOVe 350 CArries combined: ClintOn portis (385), edgerRin James (373), and TiKi Barber (370).

So CHALk up anotHer rEAsON to believe that alexaNder will deCLine this Year, tO go with tHe Madden CURSe, the depArtUre Of STevE hUtChinson, and plaIN Old rEgRession To tHe mean. THe SEahAwkS caN lIve with a lIttle decLiNe -- BeCaUse alexaNDer playeD aT suCh A hiGh levEL last yEar, a lIttlE dEcLIne Would stILl LEAve oNe Of The tOp rUnNing bAcks IN foOtball. WHat the SeaHawKS havE tO wOrry aboUt is that other PrOblem with oVeRusE: increASEd chance Of injury. If Alexander is huRTing and mauRice MOrriS is startiNg cOme midSeaSOn, that New conTract WiTh $15.1 mILLion iN GUaRanTeEd bonus and SALarY for 2006 wOn'T looK like suCh a good decision. ThiS StoRy appears in ESpN THe MaGAZiNe's aPrIL 11 WaRrIOrs iSSue. Subscribe todAy!

THE MOMENt ThaT Hints at his UNriVaLed versAtility Comes ON a SaturDay in Los ANgeles, durInG the FIRst Quarter of a Game agaiNst the CliPPers. DRAyMond GReeN, generOuSly ListeD at 6-fooT-7, GuaRds Deandre JOrDan, a huMan spRiNgboard wHo stands 4 inches taller. GreEn is reLentlEssLy electriFieD TonIght, bellyIng uP to
mmitt Smith (1994): 368 ca rries, 395  incl udi ngth e po stse ason. Had hisb estseason in 1995, then d eclin ed afte r  t hat.
To sum m ar i z e,ei gh t o ft he se 14  pl ayers w ere injure d o rlost effecti v en ess the fo llo wing season.  Aninth,  T hom a s, wa s s tilleffect i ve and  healthy,  b u t lost stamina . Th reeplayers, Davis, C a mp b ell, and Smith  (1994 )h ad p rob lem s two seas on s lat e r, afte r  a n o t her year of overu se. Only tw o  of  these  p lay e rs, Ma rtinan d  Sm ith (1991)seem ed to hav e no i l l effec t s for m ultipl e s eas onsa ft er war ds . 

O n  a ver a ge,  running  b ac ks wi th 3 0 0 t o 36 9 c arri es wh o do not play  in  the pos tseas on wi ll s ee  tota l yard s dro pby 15 percent t he f ollowingyea r,  an dyards per ca rry  by  just t wo perc e nt.  B u t th e 14 players liste da b ov e averag ed a 2 7  p er c ent drop  i n t otal y ards,  and a10 perce nt dro p  i nyards p er  carry .
Al l p layer s  wit h 390or morecarri e s, no matter h o w these carri e sw e re spli t b etween theregu l ar s easo n  a ndt he po stsea so n ,a veraged a 33 percen tdrop i n tot al yards, and  an 11 per c e n t drop i n ya r ds per carry.

Al exand er's total of 430 c arrie s betwee n the reg u l ar seaso n a ndthe  po s t se ason ranks si x t h in  N FL hist ory , and n o o the r r unn in g back la st yearre ac he d390  carr i es combi ne d.On lythree otherrunni ng b ac ks wer e above 35 0 carr ie scomb ine d:  Clin tonP ort is (385 ), Edgerr inJ ames  ( 37 3), and  Tiki Barber(3 70).

So c ha lkup ano t h er reaso n to believe that Alexa n der wil l d eclin e th is year,togo wit h t h e Madd en Cur se, t he  de p a rture o fSte ve  Hutchinso n ,  an d pla in  old  regres sion to the mean.T heSeahawks canliv e wi t h  a  li t tl e  de cl i ne- -  because Alexan der played  a t  s uch a high lev el  last y ear, alittl e  declin e would s till leav eoneo f  th e top runn ing back s in foot b all.W ha t the  Se ahawks  h ave  to w orry a b out  is t hat ot he r prob lem w it h overus e: increased chance ofinjury . IfAle xander is  hu r tin g and Mau rice  Morris is  st art ing c ome midse ason ,  t hat new c ontr a ct with $ 1 5. 1 m i l li on in guara n t e edbonus  an d  salar y fo r 2006 won't look like such a go od d e c isi on. This  s tory appears i n E SP N The Maga zi ne's April11 Warri or s  Issu e. Sub scribe  today! TH E  MOMEN T TH AThints athis  u n rivaled  v er s atilit y co me s on a  Satur d ay i n Los Angeles, dur ing t h e  firs t  qu arter  o f a gam e  aga inst the C lippers. Dr aymond  Gre en, g enerous ly  liste d a t6-foot-7,g uards DeA ndreJordan,  a  hum anspring boar d who s tand s4 i nches tal l e r. Gr ee n  is  rel entle ss ly e lectrifie d  tonight , b e llyingup  to 
mmitt Smith_(1994): 368_carries, 395 including the_postseason. Had_his_best season_in_1995, then declined_after that.

To summarize,_eight of these 14_players were injured_or_lost effectiveness the following season. A ninth, Thomas, was still effective and healthy, but_lost_stamina. Three_players,_Davis,_Campbell, and Smith (1994) had_problems two seasons later, after_another year_of overuse. Only two of these players, Martin_and_Smith (1991) seemed_to have no ill effects for multiple seasons afterwards.

On_average, running backs with 300 to_369 carries who_do_not_play in the postseason_will see total yards drop by_15 percent the following year, and_yards per carry by just two percent._But the 14 players listed above_averaged a 27 percent drop_in total_yards, and a 10 percent_drop in yards_per carry.

All_players with 390_or more carries, no matter how_these carries were_split between the regular season and_the_postseason, averaged a_33_percent_drop in_total yards, and_an_11 percent_drop_in yards per carry.

Alexander's total of_430_carries between the regular season and the_postseason ranks sixth in_NFL_history, and no other_running back last year reached_390 carries combined. Only three other_running backs_were above_350 carries combined: Clinton Portis (385), Edgerrin James (373), and Tiki_Barber (370).

So chalk up another reason_to believe that Alexander_will decline_this_year, to go_with_the Madden_Curse, the departure of Steve Hutchinson, and_plain old_regression to the mean. The Seahawks_can live with a_little_decline -- because Alexander played at_such a high level last year,_a little decline would still_leave_one_of the top running backs_in football. What the Seahawks have_to worry about_is that other problem with overuse: increased_chance_of injury. If Alexander is hurting_and_Maurice Morris is starting come midseason,_that_new_contract with $15.1 million in_guaranteed bonus and salary for 2006_won't look like such a good decision. This story_appears in ESPN_The Magazine's April 11 Warriors_Issue._Subscribe_today!

THE MOMENT THAT hints at his unrivaled versatility comes on_a Saturday_in Los Angeles,_during the first quarter of a game against the Clippers._Draymond Green, generously listed at 6-foot-7, guards_DeAndre Jordan, a human springboard who stands 4 inches taller. Green_is relentlessly electrified tonight, bellying up to