Shaun of the Dead

Shaun Alexander's storied fantasy football career is over and now it appears his days as a football player may be drawing to a close as well. The 2005 NFL Most Valuable Player was unceremoniously released by the Seahawks back on April 22 and has been looking for a contract ever since. Earlier this month, Alexander released a statement through his public relations firm that said: "I will be playing for another NFL team this fall, and doing everything I can to contribute... I am healthy, energized and looking forward to beginning the next chapter of my NFL career."

Sorry, Shaun... I think it's going to be a short chapter. I know fantasy owners aren't buying his PR self-hype and it appears no NFL teams are either. Alexander had visits with the Saints and Bengals (the team he rooted for as a kid) but so far no one has offered him a contract. It seems Alexander is still under the impression that he is a starting NFL running back. Barring an injury to a current starter, however, Alexander will not be used as such this season. I still think a team will take a chance on him--perhaps the Bengals or Lions--but I've written him off as a fantasy contributor. That is why you will not see his name on my cheat sheet (go ahead, take a look). I publicly stuck a fork in Alexander early last season during the "Fantasy Football Weekly" radio show that I co-host on KFAN and the FAN Radio network and nothing has transpired since to change my mind.

Alexander has missed nine games the past two seasons because of injuries to his wrist, foot, and knee. Even before the injuries started flaring up, Alexander's tip-toeing and soft running style had me very leery of his long-term value. A look at his yards-per-carry average speaks volumes: he averaged 4.6 yards-per-tote over his first six seasons in the league, but has averaged only 3.5 yards-per-attempt in the two seasons since winning the MVP hardware.

Look, I take no particular joy in dancing on Alexander's fantasy football grave. The guy was a great player in his prime and won a lot of owners fantasy championships in 2005. It's just that the guy turns 31 in August, which is past the age of usefulness for 95 percent of running backs. I'd rather see him hang up the cleats now with some of his dignity left and before some poor, inebriated saps in fantasy football drafts start wasting draft picks on him this summer.