East Coast vs West Coast bias

[>>Spearhead>>]

Help me out, I have a buddy in Seattle who constantly cries about the lack of love that Shawn Alexander gets.
He claims that it is because he is out in Seattle as a geographic issue, saying that if he were in an east coast market like NY or Wash that he would get his due.
I disagree because its not like the guy doesnt make the highlite films and hasnt gotten props on his NFL record of 15TDs in 5 straight seasons. I think you have to win some big games before your taken seriously. Seattle hasn't been around as long as Chicago, NY, Wash, etc, but more than that they have never accomplished anything in the postseason. Look at Tom Brady in New England or Tim Duncan in San Antonio. They could be all stars but if their teams weren't winning they would get less than half the hype.
Chime in and tell me if I am missing something - I know there are EXTREMESKINers that are all over the place.

[SkinsNut73]

I would tend to disagree with your buddy. I think Shaun Alexander gets due respect from the media. Hell, I think Tiki Barber, who plays in a major market doesn't get the respect he deserves.

[Destino]

Defensive ranking against the run...

NFC East
New York ranked #6 88.7 ypg
Dallas #10 99.3 ypg
Philly #15 111.3 ypg
Washington #17 113.2 ypg

NFC West
Seattle #11 102.1ypg
Arizona #21 117ypg
San Francisco #25 125.7ypg
St. Louis #27 132.3ypg


Is noticing that the teams in his division have really crappy run defenses considered bias? (not to mention two of them really suck overall)

[BlueTalon]

Help me out, I have a buddy in Seattle who constantly cries about the lack of love that Shawn Alexander gets.
He claims that it is because he is out in Seattle as a geographic issue, saying that if he were in an east coast market like NY or Wash that he would get his due.
I disagree because its not like the guy doesnt make the highlite films and hasnt gotten props on his NFL record of 15TDs in 5 straight seasons. I think you have to win some big games before your taken seriously. Seattle hasn't been around as long as Chicago, NY, Wash, etc, but more than that they have never accomplished anything in the postseason. Look at Tom Brady in New England or Tim Duncan in San Antonio. They could be all stars but if their teams weren't winning they would get less than half the hype.
Chime in and tell me if I am missing something - I know there are EXTREMESKINers that are all over the place.

If you read your post carefully, you can see that you're making your friend's point for him.

If Shaun Alexander was doing what he's doing on a team that east coast writers were enamored with (Patriots, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, etc.) you'd never hear the end of it. Up until after this last game when SA established some new records, about 70% of the running-back-phenom talk was about San Diego's LT, and I was getting tired of hearing about it. So now he and the Seahawls are getting some coverage. Good. I don't care either way, and I'd just as soon stay under the radar. But SA's accomplishments are getting harder to ignore, which is why he's finally getting props.

[>>Spearhead>>]

If you read your post carefully, you can see that you're making your friend's point for him.

If Shaun Alexander was doing what he's doing on a team that east coast writers were enamored with (Patriots, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, etc.) you'd never hear the end of it. Up until after this last game when SA established some new records, about 70% of the running-back-phenom talk was about San Diego's LT, and I was getting tired of hearing about it. So now he and the Seahawls are getting some coverage. Good. I don't care either way, and I'd just as soon stay under the radar. But SA's accomplishments are getting harder to ignore, which is why he's finally getting props.

Nah- LT is getting the pub because he is the best in the league, if he were playing in Seattle or New Mexico this would be the case. My point is you have to have some lineage, some history of success. If Seattle wasn't 7-2 SA wouldn't even be getting the limited props you believe he is receiving and it has nothing to do with where he plays, IMO

[BlueTalon]

Nah- LT is getting the pub because he is the best in the league, if he were playing in Seattle or New Mexico this would be the case. My point is you have to have some lineage, some history of success. If Seattle wasn't 7-2 SA wouldn't even be getting the limited props you believe he is receiving and it has nothing to do with where he plays, IMO

You continue to prove your friend's point. Your "lineage" or "history of success" requirement really is superfluous, since we're discussing this season. But even if it was relevant, how much more stellar has San Diego's history been than Seattle's? Keep in mind we would probably be talking about the last five or six years, since that's the timeframe for LT's and SA's carreers so far.

Your argument doesn't make any sense. And your claim that LT is the best in the leage is certainly not above challenge, as SA compares favorably in a number of areas.


Bias.

[>>Spearhead>>]

since we're discussing this season

nobody said that, unless you would say that there has only been east coast biased this year, it did take SA 5 years to break the record

But even if it was relevant, how much more stellar has San Diego's history been than Seattle's

c'mon they were one of the original 10 AFL teams to form- Air Coryell, Fouts, Winslow, Joiner, Lance Alworth, and hmmmm a Super Bowl appearance
you have Largent and what- Jim Zorn... Curt Warner

your claim that LT is the best in the leage is certainly not above challenge, as SA compares favorably in a number of areas

perhaps- would you take SA over LT, honestly?

Your argument doesn't make any sense

Look, I have no discontent for Seattle, I like the Sonics too(who are also known for #1 seed early exits in the what?? 'PLAYOFFS') my argument is simply if there were more quality Ws under their belt whatever geographical bias there may or may not be wouldn't be an issue

I respect your views becuase you live there, but winning cures everything my blue/green friend, can we agree on that?

As a side, I would also dare suggest that SA is playing for $ not recognition, we are talking about a guy from a small town in KY who has wanted out pretty much since he got there. Perhaps the bias is on his part

[jrockster21]

perhaps- would you take SA over LT, honestly?

I would take Portis over both of them, because Portis is physical! More physical than either of those guys!!

[>>Spearhead>>]

I would take Portis over both of them, because Portis is physical! More physical than either of those guys!!

congrats on padding your post count yet again with more irrelevance, now next time raise your hand and wait to be called on

[Destino]

congrats on padding your post count yet again with more irrelevance, now next time raise your hand and wait to be called on

Oh come on, there was nothing wrong with this post in the context of a skins forum.

[LegionOfDoom]

If SA was in a bigger market he would have had his mega-contract and all of the praise....When this guy retires Canton will be up next for him...first ballot.... As a running back he is #1 as far as consistency....season after season he produces....

[GrapeApe]

I see a bias in some sports, but the NFL isn't one of them. The NFL is the most over covered league in all of sports. It's so bad I can name the favorite food of the practice squad guys on the Arizona Cardinals (sarcasm).

[chomerics]

Maybe if Seattle didn't suck so much, there would be more love fo Alexander

[chomerics]

If SA was in a bigger market he would have had his mega-contract and all of the praise....When this guy retires Canton will be up next for him...first ballot.... As a running back he is #1 as far as consistency....season after season he produces....

Wait and see what his career brings. . . Look at Priest Holmes, is he Canton bound? There have been a NUMBER of backs who were great for a few seasons, only to crap out, that's why the great backs all have over 10K yards.

[Beaudry]

00 313 4.9 2
01 1318 4.3 14
02 1175 4.0 16
03 1435 4.4 14
04 1696 4.8 16
05 1114 5.4 17 (9 games)
7051 4.5 88

Those are damn impressive numbers, particularly the 88 rushing TD's (10 receiving).

I don't see how the east coast bias (which I believe is real in many other areas) can effect Alexander without getting Tomlinson. Seattle and San Diego are pretty comparable cities, imho.