Sunday, February 27, 2000Alexander: No place like home
Alabama RB would like to play for Bengals
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerINDIANAPOLIS — Shaun Alexander, the Alabama running back who runs the stadium stairs like the rest of us climb our front porch, can see the final step.
“The Bengals, Ravens, Arizona and the Giants,” Alexander said on Saturday of the teams that attracted him during his stay at this weekend's NFL scouting combine. “I definitely see some teams I would like to play for and a lot of teams would be great for me to play at.”
Alexander's smile is as thick as his 6-foot, 217-pound frame. Bengals coach Bruce Coslet already knows him because Alexander grew up in Florence, Ky., went to Boone County High School and made his way to Spinney Field a few times to watch the Bengals work.
“He passes the lobby test,” Coslet said. “He looked good standing in the lobby.”
Alexander also passes the character test. He works out more than some guys sleep — five hours a day is routine — and has great political instincts. Take what he says of “tons” of conversations with Bengals President Mike Brown:
“He's a great person. We rapped,” Alexander said. “When you're talking about your hometown team, you look at things a little differently. It's just like when I was talking with (Bengals running backs coach Jim) Anderson. I was telling him playing in Cincinnati would be exciting. Just knowing your family and friends are definitely going to be there every week.”
Of course, Alexander said playing in a big city would also be great. Baltimore, picking a slot behind the Bengals at five, Arizona at seven, and the New York Giants at 11, qualify and have shown more than casual interest.
That could make it tough for Alexander to come home, because if the Bengals get an extra first-round pick for the departure of Corey Dillon, it wouldn't be before the Giants select.
Plus, the market is dwindling for Dillon. The Chiefs bowed out Friday. On Saturday, an NFL source said the Ravens were withdrawing interest.
“I'll be lying if I didn't think I was the best running back in the country,” Alexander said. “I just think whatever team I go to, I'll help raise the whole bar for their teams.”
Alexander's candor and glibness provided one of the best interview sessions of the top picks. He thinks his ability to catch and run a 4.48-second 40-yard dash give defenses matchup problems.
“You start handing me the ball and after awhile I'll make some plays and you have to bring the safeties up,” Alexander said. “Then you run me in motion and the linebacker has to come out of the box and has to cover me out there one on one ... Teams can do a lot with me. I just hope I can do it at the next level.”
Some NFL personnel people wonder. They don't think Alexander is particularly effective getting tough inside yards.
“But if you put him with the right team, like Minnesota that spreads it out with three receivers and moves him around and gets him into space, that would be good for him,” said an NFC scout.
Alexander hopes he's doused the worries about his speed. His three fourth-quarter touchdowns in the Orange Bowl showed he can break open a game. And there's been the countless hours of work with Northern Kentucky strength guru Dave Guidugli in the past eight years.
Guidugli has him doing footwork in a boxing gym, running the stadium steps at the University of Cincinnati's Nippert Stadium and running while pulling weight. Guidugli says Alexander can run the 20-yard shuttle drill in 3.75 seconds, the best of any back here.
None of the top backs ran here Saturday, saving it for their workouts on campus.
“March 21. 1 p.m.,” Alexander said.
Bengals Stories
Burress intrigues Bengals
Alexander: No place like home
Prentice: Miami background shouldn't matter
Redskins pick twice ahead of Bengals
Bichette walks softly, carries a big stick
Five Questions With: Deion Sanders
Santiago wants to compete
Old Left-hander should have day
Johnson back to face Louisville
Louisville on guard vs. UC shooters
Caring coach made difference with Johnson
Harper: We hardly knew 'ya
Riled-up Muskies seek revenge
Second local boxer makes Olympic team
Kentucky 60, Arkansas 55
Streaky Allison comes up empty
UK in race for Princeton High Daniels
Miami 67, Buffalo 58
NKU women win 16th straight
Southern Indiana 75, NKU 60
Packer out of line in criticism of Vitale
Penn's last home game a big showdown
Relieved Cremins ready to take break
Trenton 116, Stuff 88
White second in Olympic tune-up
Cyclones 3, Milwaukee2
Mighty Ducks 1, Kentucky 1
No single file at new Speedway
Now, Mariners turn to Rodriguez
St. X, Ursuline win state swim titles
St. X swimmers set three state marks
Ursuline trio bring home five titles
West Hi eliminates defending champ Moeller
Cincinnati boys basketball roundup
Graves leads Lakota East to 1st tournament victory
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
District Wrestling: Division I
District Wrestling: Division II
District Wrestling: Division III
N.Ky. girls basketball roundup
State or bust for Schwegmann, Bishop Brossart