Alexander is named offensive player of year

KIRKLAND — The awards are coming so fast for Shaun Alexander that he's starting to lose track of them.

One day after winning league MVP honors and three weeks after being selected to play in his third Pro Bowl, the Seahawks running back was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press.

When asked about his latest award by reporters after practice Friday, Alexander was confused.

"Wait, what did I win today?" he asked before being told of the award. "Oh, I won that, too? I didn't know that was out today."

Alexander, who rushed for a league-best 1,880 yards and scored an NFL-record 28 touchdowns, earned 34 of the 50 votes from the panel of sportswriters and broadcasters who vote on the AP's postseason awards.

Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning, who was also second in the MVP voting, was a distant second behind Alexander with eight votes. New York Giants running back Tiki Barber was third with six votes, while New England quarterback Tom Brady and Cincinnati quarterback Carson Palmer each received one vote.

Alexander is the first Seahawk to earn the award. Safety Kenny Easley won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1984, as did defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy in 1992.

"Anytime you win any award it's always a blessing to be credited for the things that your team is doing and for the records that you set," Alexander said. "It's always an honor, it's always fun and exciting to be mentioned with other greats that have won the award before."

Manning won both the MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards last year. Before that, St. Louis running back Marshall Faulk was the last player to win both awards, in 2000.

MVP's mom

One highlight for Alexander after winning the MVP award Thursday was calling home to talk to his mother, who answered the phone, "The mother of the MVP of the NFL."

Fans for a weekend

While their potential playoff opponents are beating each other up this weekend, Seahawks players will enjoy an opportunity to watch a weekend of football on television.

And even though they'll be trying to learn whatever they can about next weekend's opponent, it won't be like a film session at practice.

"When you're studying film you're rewinding it, checking things out, seeing if you can get a read on an opponent," said defensive end Grant Wistrom, who expects to gather with some teammates to watch the games. "On Sunday, I'll just pretty much watch for entertainment value. It's really nice being able to relax and watch football for a weekend."

John Boyle: 206-464-2364 or jboyle@seattletimes.com