Home > NFL Headlines > Mike Alstott Out for 07

Mike Alstott Out for 07

Chris Stout |Aug 15,2007

E-mail

Del.icio.us

Digg

Mike Alstott Out for 07

Mike Alstott has been flirting with retirement for couple of years now, but during the past two offseasons, Tampa Bay's battering ram signed one-year deals to come back to the team. In 2003, Alstott suffered a serious neck injury that limited him to only three regular season starts. Alstott bounced back from the injury, but his numbers have taken a serious dip. Tampa Bay's second-leading all-time rusher was ready to rock in training camp, but he experienced lingering soreness in his neck. Alstott held an emotional press conference on August 9th. Reports were circulating that he would announce his retirement, but instead, Alstott made it known that he was being placed on injured reserve. The 33-year old fullback will miss the entire 2007 season.

Alstott has more touchdowns than any other player in the history of the Tampa Bay Bucs. Of his 71 career touchdowns, 58 scores came on the ground. The majority of his rushing touchdowns were delivered in signature Alstott-up-the-gut style.

Alstott gave the Bucs an explosive attitude and a bruising mindset. He's smash-mouth symbol of a throwback era. Jon Gruden once called Alstott an anvil. Whether he's hammering through the trenches himself or busting open running lanes for tailbacks, Alstott is a model of tenacity and toughness. Even though his best days are behind him, the six-time Pro Bowler still brought something irreplaceable to the Bucs. The Bucs have adequate depth at the position (especially with the addition of B.J. Askew), but there is no other player on the roster who can step in and bring the type of pain that Alstott dished out.

If it were up to Alstott, he'd be playing. It's that simple. The disappointment that he expressed in his press conference was thick and genuine.

“As a professional football player, you just can't grasp the situation of not being able to put the helmet on, put your jersey on and go out there and participate with your teammates.”

Mike Alstott loves the game, but he made it clear that his lingering neck issues can't be taken lightly.

"It is a severe injury," Alstott said, "and it's a situation you don’t mess with."

Although he will certainly be missed in 2007, Bucs fans can take solace in the fact that Alstott didn’t walk away from the game. His future may be uncertain, but his status as the team's emotional and inspirational leader remains unchanged.

More NFL Headlines