Alstott's career could be over

The A-Train may have made his last run.

Bucs fullback Mike Alstott, arguably the most popular player in franchise history, was placed on injured reserve today, ending his season and most likely his career.

A news conference with Alstott and general manager Bruce Allen was held at the team's facility at 2 p.m.

Alstott, 33, has been absent for the past three days from training camp in Lake Buena Vista. Coaches have said he had a 'sore body' and needed some rest. He was not expected to play in Friday's preseason opener against the New England Patriots.

Alstott has complained recently of a sore neck. He had surgery to replace a vertebrae in his neck in 2003.

The Bucs signed Jets free agent fullback B.J. Askew and apparently intend to make him the starter.

The 6-foot-1, 248-pound Alstott became known for his bruising style of running shortly after he was drafted in the second round by the Bucs in 1996. He helped transform the Bucs from the league's laughingstock to a perennial Super Bowl contender.

He was named to six straight Pro Bowls, a streak that ended following the 2002 season, his first under  Gruden.

Alstott has seen his role reduced almost every season since the Bucs won Super Bowl XXXVII in Jan. 2003. He has never had more than 67 carries in a season since that world championship.

But Alstott, who was entering his 12th NFL season, opted to sign a 1-year, $1.5-million contract after contemplating retirement in the off-season.

Just a few weeks ago, Alstott said he still had a burning desire to play.

"When you are on a one year at a time contract, you never know what's going to happen,'' Alstott said after checking into the Celebration Hotel July 26.

"But after sitting back for a couple weeks, I knew that fire was still burning inside me, that I wanted to play football and I can play football.''

But Alstott was becoming more of a bystander as the team began to increase its use of Askew as the fullback during team drills.

Whether it was injury or inactivity, something changed Alstott's perspective.

"He worked as hard as he ever had this off-season,'' said former Bucs tight end Dave Moore.

Moore, who works as the color commentator for the Bucs radio network, said Alstott complained of a stiff neck recently.

"Every time he got up or turned around, he said his neck felt stiff,'' Moore said. "He didn't say too much about retiring or being hurt.''

According to Moore, Alstott's career was complete but he didn't want to go out after a 4-12 season.

"Just as a player, he's done it all,'' Moore said. ""He's gone to Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl and got to start and finish his career in one city. For a guy to be a fullback and do what he's done, what else is there to prove?

"He came in Tony Dungy's first year and when you meet a guy at the Winghouse to get something to eat, every one of those guys see a piece of themselves. He's not going to break land speed records, not overly tall, but was always able to get the crowd pumped up and into the game. He was a good player to come in at a very important time in this franchise's history. We were able to turn it into a winner and he was a big reason for that.''

If he chooses to retire, Alstott will finish his career as the Bucs all-time leader in total touchdowns with 71 and in rushing touchdowns with 58. He is the team's second all-time leading rusher with 5,088 yards and third in scoring with 432 points, the first non-kicker surpass 400 points.

Two other members of the Bucs' Super Bowl championship team ended their careers with the Bucs this year. Linebacker Shelton Quarles retired and took a position as an advance scout with the club. Defensive end Simeon Rice was released.

(Times photo - Bill Serne. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Krystal]

I didn't say he was the best in the league...just that he deserves some respect.

[Jimbo]

Wayoverated, who are those 3 guys, are they on your flag football team?

[timothy]

Krystal,
Alstott called and said he lost your number.

[Don]

M. Alstott 6 Pro Bowls, 1 Superbowl.

W. Dunn ZERO Superbowls.

Enough said!

[Chris]

There are things bigger than playing ball. Stats can be looked at in many different ways. Mike's role may have been diminished but he never went to the media about it.

Here is a guy who fell in love with the area, has invested in it and will probably grow old here. He'll see his kids grow up and be able to be an active part of their lives (see Jim Otto having half of his leg removed last week). At least Mike is able to go out mobile and not on a stretcher. He avoided bad press, unlike Pacman and Vick, NEVER turned down a kid for an autograph, and hosted handicapped kids at training camp and supported local charities.

Maybe you can just be thankful that we got to see him play, enjoy his highlights and stop pissing over stats that everyone of you wish you could have earned.

[Krystal]

Sorry Timothy...I don't get it. I am a true and tried Bucs fan - alwasy have been always will be and the players that made the Bucs who they are don't deserve to be talked s*** about because an injury caused some recent bad plays. Give me a break - Even Brett Favre has lost it and he still has fans.

[Will]

WAYOVERRATED's comment on three better fullabcks...You are a idoit...You cant sit there and say that Justin Griffith, Mack Strong, Lorenzo had a better career than Alstottt or did more for one team than Alstott

[WILLISNOTSMART]

THE PAST 4-5 YEARS ALSTOTT HAS DONE NOTHING GENIUS. THE 3 FULLBACKS ARE BETTER RIGHT NOW. AND ALSTOTT FUMBLES WAY WAY WAY WAY TO MUCH.

[Krystal]

RIGHT NOW IS NOT A CAREER. THEY COULD GET HURT TOMORROW AND NO ONE WILL EVEN KNOW THERES NAMES. IT SOUNDS LIKE NO ONE DOES NOW...GENIUS!

[Krystal]

This will be my last blog...I didn't come here to argue and thats what these blogs all turn into. I just wanted to stand up for a good man. The Bucs and the city of Tampa are both lucky to have such a person invest his life to them. He has had a great career and is a great role model, more players should follow in his foot steps. Players like Alstott and coaches like Tony Dungy make the game worth watching. Everyone is entitled to their opinion...that is mine =)

[me]

I'm glad this your last blog Krystal, because you seem to only know players on the Bucs squad and nothing else. People will remember Mack Strong and Lorenzo Neil as the best full backs in their respective conference in the last 15 years.

Alstott is only a Tampa Bay hero. The rest of the country sees him as an average back.