KIRKLAND – Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson have each other’s phone numbers and like to talk – football, religion, current events, life – whenever the opportunity presents itself.
But they aren’t the only running backs from last year’s Pro Bowl who will get to meet face-to-face again this Sunday.
When Alexander’s Seattle Seahawks and Tomlinson’s San Diego Chargers square off at Qwest Field, the game will showcase the two best fullbacks in football. Mack Strong of the Seahawks and Lorenzo Neal of the Chargers are headed to their second consecutive Pro Bowl, adding another underlying story to a game already filled with theater.
“I always watch the other offenses, just to see how the backs are performing, how the other fullbacks are performing,” Strong said of going against Neal’s team. “I want to be the one they talk about when they leave – in a good way.”
Strong and Neal aren’t as close as Alexander and Tomlinson are, but they did spend some time together during the last Pro Bowl. Among other things, the 35-year-old Strong took advantage of his “youth” by teasing one of the few NFL players who is older than he is (Neal will turn 36 on Wednesday).
Strong has seen Neal on tape several times this season, mainly when the Seahawks are preparing to face an AFC West defense, and he has the utmost respect for San Diego’s bruising fullback.
“His reputation precedes him,” Strong said. “He’s a very tenacious blocker, a very unselfish guy. I definitely watch what he’s doing. He’s had a tremendous year.”
Alexander and Tomlinson were saying similar things about each other all week.
“Just the success he has had over the years and how he has been able to do that – and vice versa – I think that is how the relationship first started,” Tomlinson said.
Familiar face: After 30-year-old middle linebacker Randall Godfrey limped to the finish line at the end of the 2003 season, the Seahawks decided to save some money and go younger at that position.
It eventually worked out for both parties.
While the Seahawks hit the jackpot with 2005 second-round pick Lofa Tatupu, Godfrey signed with the Chargers and has been a key figure on one of the league’s top defenses.
He’s so popular with his San Diego teammates that Godfrey was recently voted a team captain. Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer is also a big fan.
“He’s a very physical player,” Schottenheimer said. “His ability to take people on and to shed (blocks) is probably his strongest quality.
“I just hope his head doesn’t swell up with all these sacks that he’s getting (a career-high four), because that’s really not why he’s in the game.”
Godfrey’s three seasons in San Diego haven’t been all fun and games. He has suffered two of the worst tragedies of his life since leaving the Seahawks, losing his cousin and college teammate, Brice Hunter, in 2004, as well as his younger sister, Deidra Miller, 13 months ago, to unrelated murders.
Godfrey, now 33, has been slowed by a sore hamstring this week and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Quick slants: Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Friday that guard Floyd Womack (groin) would be a game-time decision. Womack has not practiced all week and is listed as questionable on the injury report. … Tight end Itula Mili (concussion) practiced all week, but Holmgren said his status is also a game-time decision.
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