Seahawks front-office officials decided by the middle of the season that Shaun Alexander was worth a huge long-term investment, and they embarked on a serious effort to sign the running back to a big contract extension. Still no deal. NFL execs around the league wonder why Alexander hasn't already agreed to a contract, especially with such uncertainty looming regarding the league's labor situation. Alexander gambled that he'd gain increased leverage by playing out his deal and becoming an unrestricted free agent after the season. In some respects, the gamble paid off, because he turned in an MVP performance during the regular season and has helped the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl. But with the increased likelihood that the NFL and the NFL Players Association will be unable to strike a deal on a collective-bargaining agreement extension, Alexander may have unwittingly priced himself out of the deal he might have received. Here's the problem: If the league and the players' union don't agree on a CBA extension, and if Alexander doesn't sign with Seattle before the March 3 free-agency period begins, he will enter a very uncertain labor market. Without a CBA extension, any signing bonus Alexander agrees to can be prorated over only four years, which puts a heavy strain on the salary cap of any team that signs him, including the Seahawks. Had he signed during the season, Seattle could have spread the bonus money over five seasons.

Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson, who has been bothered by soreness to his right knee and lower back, returned to practice Friday to prepare for next week's Super Bowl. Jackson didn't practice last week, but caught six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown in Seattle's 34-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers last Sunday. He missed nine games this season after undergoing surgery on his right knee Oct. 12, returning to play in two of the Seahawks' final three regular-season games. He was inactive for the team's regular-season finale in Green Bay. He was hit in the back after catching a pass in Seattle's 20-10 playoff win over the Washington Redskins on Jan. 14.

Seattle Seahawks center Robbie Tobeck and rookie linebacker Lofa Tatupu were added to the NFC's Pro Bowl roster Wednesday as replacements for Chicago's Brian Urlacher and Olin Kreutz. The duo join guard Steve Hutchinson, offensive tackle Jones, running back Shaun Alexander, fullback Mack Strong and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who were chosen as starters for the Feb. 12 game in Honolulu. The seven total selections tie the franchise record set after the 1984 season when Seattle went 12-4. "It's a real honor and a humbling thing to reach that goal," said Tobeck, now in his sixth season with the Seahawks. "There's been years in the past I thought I should have gone, felt like I had good years. Part of it is being on a good team and being surrounded by good guys. ... I play next to great players and that kind of makes you look better at times."

To coach Bill Cowher, the Pittsburgh Steelers simply look right in white. The Steelers will buck years of tradition and wear their white away uniforms in the Super Bowl against Seattle, even though they are designated by the NFL as the home team and could wear their more imposing black jersey tops. The black jerseys and gold pants are the Steelers' traditional look, and numerous sports teams have switched to black uniforms in recent years because they believe it creates a more intimidating presence. Cowher made the choice by himself and without consulting with ownership, saying, "We're not playing at Heinz Field so, in my mind, it's an away game." The Steelers' unprecedented success as a road team no doubt factored into Cowher's decision to wear white for the fourth consecutive game. The Steelers are the only sixth-seeded team to reach the Super Bowl and the first to knock off the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 teams in a conference to get there. They have won in successive weeks at Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Denver. Their choice will put the Seahawks in their metallic blue "home" jerseys. Seattle was 10-0 in the regular season and playoffs while wearing blue at home. But they were 0-2 away from Qwest Field with them, losing at Jacksonville in Week 1 and at Washington in Week 4.

Seattle wide receivers Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram both will play in Sunday's NFC championship game against Carolina -- despite still being listed as questionable. The Seahawks' top two receivers both practiced Friday for the first time this week. Jackson, who had surgery Oct. 12 on his right knee, has had only one full week of practice in the last 11 weeks. But Seattle's leading receiver did play Dec. 18 at Tennessee and Dec. 24 against Indianapolis. His latest pain was from a bruised lower back, the result of a hit during last Saturday's win over Washington. Engram, who led the Seahawks with 67 catches, also has a bruised back. "I'm not worried at all about Bobby. I'm not worried at all about Darrell," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "In the past, Darrell hasn't practiced at all with the team and come out and had the best games of his career."

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren removed all doubt Wednesday: NFL MVP Shaun Alexander will play in Sunday's conference championship game against Carolina. The league rushing champion sustained a concussion last Saturday in the first quarter of Seattle's win over Washington. Alexander later said he was unconscious initially and then "out" of it for about 20 minutes. But Holmgren said Wednesday the All-Pro back will be ready for the Panthers. "Shaun's full go," the coach said. "He passed some tests we gave him yesterday. He participated in our walkthrough this morning. He's going to be fine." Alexander, who rushed for a team-record 1,880 yards in the regular season, joked he learned something about himself over a four-day battery of doctors' tests.

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said tackle Sean Locklear will play Sunday in the NFC title game against the Carolina Panthers. Holmgren told KIRO Radio that Locklear's domestic-violence arrest "is not what it appears to be." Locklear was charged with one count of assault and released without bail after pleading not guilty during an initial court appearance Tuesday. At the hearing at a King County Jail courtroom, Municipal Court Judge Edsonya Charles ordered Locklear to have no contact with his girlfriend, who lives with him. He also must abstain from alcohol and other drugs while the case is pending. A second court date was set for Feb. 13.

Shaun Alexander expects to be more than a cheerleader in the NFC championship game. Two days after a concussion knocked him out of Seattle's playoff win over Washington, a smiling Alexander was looking and feeling better, talking optimistically about being ready to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. But when someone asked if he felt as good as he looked, the NFL MVP wouldn't go that far. "Um, no," Alexander said, jokingly running his hand against the side of his shaved head. "I wish."

Carolina running back DeShaun Foster broke his right ankle in the third quarter Sunday against the Chicago Bears, ending his season before the Panthers go to Seattle next week to play for the NFC championship. "It's disappointing. DeShaun was doing so well. But he'll be back," Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme said. Nick Goings replaced Foster and will be called upon next week. Foster was injured early in the second half on a tackle by Chicago linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer. "Nick and DeShaun are similar. He can get it done," Delhomme said.

NFL MVP Shaun Alexander did not help the Seattle Seahawks win their first playoff game in 21 years. Alexander suffered a concussion after being tackled for a one-yard loss by defensive tackle Cornelius Griffin with 4:29 left in the first quarter of the Seahawks' 20-10 victory over the Washington Redskins in the NFC divisional playoffs. The top-seeded Seahawks (14-3) will host the Carolina-Chicago winner in the NFC championship game next weekend. Alexander's status is uncertain for next weekend, but Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren is optimistic. "They (the trainers) seem to think that he's going to be fine for next week," Holmgren said. "They will do more tests on him, but I think he's going to be fine."