Window shopping for Shaun’s successor

I compare Shaun Alexander to Willie Mays.

Once an elite player by anyone’s estimation, Alexander has regressed to the point where it’s painful to watch him. He’s slow. He’s easy to bring down. The burst he used to have no longer exists.

Mays held on too long, as many in big-time sports have. Once the greatest defensive outfielder in baseball history, Mays’ skills eroded so sharply in his last years that he barely could correctly judge a routine fly ball.

Alexander is approaching that kind of futility.

He will be 31 by the time the Seahawks open the 2008 season. Few at his position are productive after age 30. Frankly, I would be shocked if the team doesn’t let him go before fall camp.

Some say he got fat and satisfied after he signed a contract in 2006 that paid him in excess of $15 million annually. Others say his downturn is because of age and age-related injuries.

Still others blame a below-par offensive line for Alexander’s career-low 3.5 yards per carry in 2007. Mo Morris and Leonard Weaver ran behind the same line. Morris averaged 4.5, Weaver 4.4.

Whatever the reason, Alexander has been a fraction of himself the past two seasons, which doesn’t represent a fluke as much as it does a trend.

Alexander simply isn’t the same player as the one who was among the league’s best for five straight seasons, including this MVP year of 2005, when he gained 1,880 yards and scored a then-record 27 touchdowns.

Does anyone believe Alexander can approach those numbers anymore?

Clearly, the Seahawks must bring in a top-flight running back in the offseason, whether it’s in the draft or through free agency. Forget Morris. A solid backup, he wears down when asked to carry the ball as frequently as a full-time starter.

Who, then? Glad you asked.

Among free agents:

Michael Turner, Chargers: If the name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, it’s because Turner is LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup. At 26, Turner has avoided the punishment a starter his age normally endures. In the past three seasons, he’s averaged better than 5.0 yards a carry. The Seahawks will be only one of many teams to swarm him.

Marion Barber, Cowboys: We jest here, because there’s no way the Cowboys will let him go, barring circumstances we can’t imagine. Yet, Barber’s continued success in Dallas makes someone else more expendable, namely …

Julius Jones, Cowboys: Jones’ role figures to be reduced as Barber emerges. He already is better than anyone the Seahawks currently have. He gained better than 1,000 yards in 2006. The Cowboys may want to keep both, but it’s Jones’ call. How badly does he want to be the primary back?

Jamal Lewis, Browns: Although he hasn’t duplicated his 2,066-yard 2003 season with the Ravens, Lewis had his best year since, with 1,304 yards with the Browns. It may be difficult to pry him out of Cleveland (read: unless the Seahawks break the bank on him), but it appears Lewis still has some life in those legs.

Justin Fargas, Raiders: Fargas had his best year in 2007, with 1,009 yards. Coach Lane Kiffin says he wants to keep Fargas, but there will be a few teams outside of Oakland that will make a bid for him.

Others available: Derrick Ward, Giants; Vernand Morency, Packers; Chris Brown, Titans; T.J. Duckett, Lions.

The draft will be loaded. The Seahawks will draft in the mid-20s in the first round, depending on the way the playoffs shake out, which means they’ll have to trade up if they want Darren McFadden of Arkansas, considered a top-five pick. Still, the draft is deep:

Jonathan Stewart, Oregon: A great mix of size and speed. He’s the best big back in the draft at 5-11 and 230 pounds. Has been hit with injuries, but may be too tempting to pass up.

Rashard Mendenhall, Illinois: Another guy with both speed and power. He blew away Indiana with 214 yards on 27 carries. Potential galore here.

Felix Jones, Arkansas: McFadden’s teammate. Averaged better than 7.0 yards a carry in 2006.

Kevin Smith, Central Florida: Think he took advantage of a weak schedule? He burned Texas for 149 yards and two TDs on 27 carries. He’s durable and strong, but doesn’t have great speed. Could be in the league for 10 years.

Jamaal Charles, Texas: Breakaway guy who, with some good workouts at the combines, could work himself up to the first round.

Others: Ray Rice, Rutgers; Chris Johnson, East Carolina; Steve Slaton, West Virginia; Mike Hart, Michigan.

Sports columnist John Sleeper: sleeper@heraldnet.com. To reach Sleeper’s blog, go to www.heraldnet.com/danglingparticiples.