McKay's thoughts on Alstott revealing

The Bucs GM is not confident a new deal can be worked out.

Bucs GM Rich McKay says he isn't overly optimistic that the team can work out a deal with FB Mike Alstott, who wants to stay in Tampa Bay.

By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 6, 2002

TAMPA -- Bucs general manager Rich McKay said the team still has a little more than a week to make a decision on the contract status of Mike Alstott, but didn't sound overly optimistic that things would work out.

"No, I don't necessarily feel comfortable that we'll get it done," McKay said after the Bucs completed their second workout of Friday's opening day of minicamp. "I think it's one of those things where you have to see what you can do and hope it works out. I would like it to work out, but we really haven't made a lot of progress, haven't started down the path. Usually these deals happen at the end, not at the beginning."

But McKay and Alstott's two agents, Ben Dogra and Jim Steiner, are scheduled to have a conference call this morning. The call, according to Dogra, will attempt to further negotiations.

Dogra said the apparent lack of optimism is more from the uncertainty of the situation than of Alstott's willingness to restructure his deal.

"There isn't a lot of optimism because we haven't really gone down that road," Dogra said. "It would be a concern to us if we had had extensive talks and still not gotten any closer. But we haven't had extensive talks."

Due a $2-million roster bonus on April 15 and another $2-million during the season and unsure of how he fits in with the new offense, Alstott has been the subject of heated speculation over his future with the Bucs.

With the signing of free agent Michael Pittman, who new coach Jon Gruden has described as an every-down back, Alstott's $4-million appears too much for a fullback or a part-time running back.

His agents have been in discussions with the Bucs over possibly restructuring his deal.

McKay said Alstott's popularity, work ethic and production over the past six years make deciding what to do with him more difficult.

"It's harder for me and it's harder for us who have been here because we drafted Mike and we saw what Mike did," McKay said. "So certainly there are other factors, but there still is a system in place that requires us to deal with making the best 53 (players) we can and that's what makes these decisions hard in figuring our how they fit. But, Mike's been a good football player for us and a loyal soldier and a tough guy. Hopefully the situation will resolve itself in the way we would all like it to."

Asked if the Bucs would release Alstott if things didn't work out, McKay responded: "I'll say no comment."

Alstott made it clear he is prepared to do whatever the Bucs want and doesn't want to leave Tampa Bay. So much so, Alstott hinted he even would compromise on his salary situation.

"I'm a Buccaneer," Alstott said. "Right now, I'm here and I plan on being a Buccaneer and I want to play for Coach and want to be here. All the contract situations, I'm not going to get into that because they have to work out a lot of things. I'm willing to work with (the contract) and help the team. Obviously, I love it here, love the situation I'm in and I want to finish my career as a Buccaneer."

At the heart of the issue is whether new coach Jon Gruden can find a way to use Alstott's unique talents and use Pittman as well.

"I'm a Mike Alstott fan, I'm not going to deny that. The guy's a good football player," Gruden said. "A lot of people say he's a fullback and not going to carry the ball in our offense. Mike never carried the ball in Tampa as a fullback. He carried the ball as a halfback and in the two-back set. He's been a halfback here when he's carried the ball. There's going to be plenty of things for him to do as a runner and a receiver. I'm not going to guarantee carries, I'm not going to guarantee anything."

Alstott, in the meantime, appears to be focused on playing.

"I want to be on the field," he said. "Fullback, halfback, run the ball, catch the ball, block. I want to be on the field. I tell Coach that, I tell everybody that. I want to be in the huddle, I want to see my boys, look them in the eye and say, 'Let's get it done.' I want to win a Super Bowl."

FITTING IN: Pittman, running back Byron Hanspard, receiver Keith Poole, guard Kerry Jenkins and tight end Marco Battaglia made their debuts.

Battaglia said it'll take a short while for the newcomers to adapt.

"You just have to get the kinks out," said Battaglia, a free agent from the Redskins. "You get in your playbook like a rookie again. And get that information, process it and get on the field. Once you know it, you'll be playing the way you're capable of playing."

Added Poole: "I'm just trying to learn where to park and get a meal."

BEEN THERE: Pittman, who came from the Cardinals, figures he'll pick up Gruden's interpretation of the West Coast offense quicker than expected because the Cardinals used a version of it briefly under offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, who later worked under Gruden in Oakland.

"I'm pretty familiar with this offense," Pittman said. "The plays are sort of similar, so it's coming easier to me than for other players."

BUCS BITS: The Bucs had 100 percent participation in minicamp, though defensive tackle Warren Sapp (left shoulder) and outside linebacker Derrick Brooks (left foot) sat out nursing injuries.

-- Times staff writer Darrell Fry contributed to this report.

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