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A deadline to give the fullback a roster bonus is pushed back until after the April 20-21 draft.
By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 13, 2002
TAMPA -- As time was running out to pay running back Mike Alstott a $2-million roster bonus, the Bucs and Alstott's agent bought themselves more time to work out a deal.
Both sides agreed to postpone the bonus date from Monday to April23, three days after the NFL draft begins.
The agreement allows more time to try to work out a new contract that reduces the amount Alstott counts against this year's salary cap. Under his current deal, he would count about $4-million, which the Bucs believe is too rich for a player who is not likely to be the primary ballcarrier.
"We had to make a decision (Friday) by 4 p.m., due to the fact that the next two days are weekend days," agent Ben Dogra said. "All parties thought it was in the best interest to continue to work on the contract without the time constraints."
The Bucs would not comment on the negotiations but confirmed that the due date on the bonus had been postponed to April23. Discussions are expected to resume Monday and a new deal could be in place before the draft.
Friday's revelations raised speculation that the Bucs were waiting to see who was available in the draft or putting themselves in a position to sign, then trade Alstott on draft day. However, it is unlikely the Bucs would do the latter. Commonly if a player is to be traded, a contract would be worked out with the new team before the trade. Dogra said the new deadline should be seen as a positive step to keeping Alstott here.
"I think it is a good sign from the standpoint that we were willing to do it and the Bucs were willing to do it," Dogra said. "They have made it clear they like Mike and want to keep him in Tampa and it's a matter of trying to fit him into their salary-cap constraints.
"We're not exactly where we want to be. I would say we have outstanding issues. I think we understand their position and they understand ours. I can't say they are minor, but I wouldn't say they are issues that we can't work through. It's still an optimistic feeling."
At the heart of the issue is what value the Bucs place on Alstott, the team's leading rusher last season (680 yards, 10 TDs) and a five-time Pro Bowl player.
Though he is the team's all-time leader in touchdowns (50), Alstott's future with the Bucs became clouded the day the team hired new coach Jon Gruden.
Gruden uses multiple running backs and has virtually no ball-carrying duties for the fullback.
That, coupled with the signing of free agent Michael Pittman to a five-year, $8.75-million deal, made Alstott's salary cap hit this season high for the Bucs.
Alstott is slated to earn $6-million next season, though few players see the final year of their contract.
Considering the team's need to address some positions, namely receiver, the Bucs could not afford that payout to a fullback or part-time running back.
"We understand that," Dogra said.
After Pittman signed, Dogra and the Bucs began negotiations to keep Alstott in Tampa Bay, rather than allow the fullback to suffer the fate of former Pro Bowl cornerback Donnie Abraham, cut by the Bucs before his bonus was due.
Alstott expressed in last week's minicamp his willingness to take a pay cut and restructure his contract so he could finish his career with the Bucs.
He also said he would take on whatever role Gruden asked.
"Those are the things we are willing to do," Dogra said. "That's why we have moved the deadline back."