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Focus on Michael Pittman has kept Pro Bowl fullback on sideline.
By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published October 10, 2002
TAMPA -- He always has had trouble looking for a way into the starting lineup at tailback.
He always has struggled to locate his role in the passing game.
But until now, Mike Alstott never has had a problem finding a place in the huddle.
Even as Tampa Bay's rushing attack chugs, clangs, hisses and burps its way to among the league's worst, the A-Train rarely leaves his station on the sideline.
The low point came in the Bucs' 20-6 win at Atlanta when Alstott participated in significantly less than half the 59 offensive plays. Lately, the five-time Pro Bowl starter is splitting time with Jameel Cook at fullback.
"It's an adjustment for any professional football player, especially for someone of Mike's stature with the success he's had over the years and the quality snaps he's always been a part of," running backs coach Kirby Wilson said. "But he has to buy into, this is our team. ... We're all just a part of the system and we all have different roles that we play. I'm sure it's difficult.
"He's doing a nice job of keeping his head up. There are some times when he gets a little down; that's natural. But he fights his way out of it, which is what you want to see from a pro."
Alstott is not alone. Sixty-five percent of the rushing attempts by Bucs running backs have been given to free agent Michael Pittman (74 carries, 256 yards, 3.5 average, no touchdowns), who also leads the team in receptions with 24.
"I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing," Pittman said. "I've got to try to make bigger plays, break tackles, whatever I've got to do."
Running back Aaron Stecker, who led the Bucs in rushing in the preseason, has seven carries for 27 yards. Rookie Travis Stephens, who has been inactive the past two games and did not play in two others, has one reception for 7 yards.
"One time we were in practice and something happened and (coach Jon Gruden) said, 'I hate rookies,' " Stephens said. "I was like, 'C'mon coach, why do you hate rookies?' He was like, 'Did I say that?'
"I don't know what their game plan is as far as me. I'm not too down about it. I understand I'm in my first year. But soon enough, I'm going to be in there and I want to make the best of it."
Alstott's rushing attempts peaked at 11 in Week 2 against Baltimore. Since then, he has had five, seven and four. He hasn't been involved in the passing game, with one reception in each of the past three games.
"It's frustrating, but at the same time I've been involved in something like this before, and when your time comes, they'll find you," Alstott said. "So I'm just going to be patient and work every day on the field and practice and keep that positive attitude and be optimistic about things, and when my chance comes I'll make the best of it."
He always has. Whenever the Bucs have turned to Alstott to be their lead ballcarrier, either because of injury or ineffectiveness, he has produced.
Last season, he took over for injured tailback Warren Dunn against Green Bay and had 77 yards on 15 attempts, including a winning 39-yard touchdown run. Two weeks later he rushed for 128 yards in a win over Minnesota.
"I say with Mike, it's early because I've been around Mike enough to know I've seen years where he didn't do anything for six weeks and then he finishes off the season with a bang," general manager Rich McKay said. "I've seen him start eight weeks, be unbelievable, then get nicked and Warrick came in. So I'm happy to have Mike Alstott. Because I believe the talents he brings are unique, and I think as time goes on you can always have an injury, you can always have a situation, you can become a team that needs to close games and the red zone is an important area."
Alstott looked down at his heavily taped sprained ankle shortly before practice Wednesday and tried to explain why coaches have trouble making use of his talents.
"I don't know. It's tough," Alstott said. "Maybe it's how do they identify my role? Can he be halfback, can he be fullback, can he be both? Can he be involved in the passing game? It takes time, especially now because there's a lot of new players and it's a whole new philosophy. Every year, there's been a new coordinator but it's pretty much the same philosophy. Especially now, he's trying to get everybody in, get everybody the ball. It'll take some time.
"It's very tough and we've had some conversations. (Gruden) is going to be more creative in getting some things for me and he'll be getting me more involved. When the time comes, you'll see me do a lot more things. Until then, I'm going to be patient."
McKay has no doubt the A-Train will be up and running again.
"Mike will find his way; he always has," McKay said. "I've had this thought with Mike before that, 'Jeez, I don't know if we're ever going to get Mike going again.' And then, boom, here he comes. I'm not as concerned about it. I still say it's an offense that has to find its identity, find its way. And to be 4-1 as it's growing is a good thing."
-- Staff writer Roger Mills contributed to this report.