Alstott facts

By JOANNE KORTH
Published August 10, 2007

Mike Alstott A look back

Born: Michael Joseph Alstott, Dec. 21, 1973, in Joliet, Ill.

Family: He and wife Nicole have three children, son Griffin and daughters Hannah and Lexie.

Before the Bucs: After graduating from Joliet Catholic High, near Chicago, Alstott starred at Purdue, where he became the first Boilermaker named MVP in each of his final three seasons. He finished as Purdue's all-time leading rusher with 3,635 yards.

1996: Drafted by Bucs in the second round, he had 377 rushing yards and three TDs on 96 attempts, plus 557 receiving yards and three TDs on 65 catches. He was a first-alternate selection for the Pro Bowl, second-team All-Pro and NFC offensive rookie of the month in November.

1997: Started all 15 games in which he played, producing 843 total yards from scrimmage. He went to the first of six Pro Bowls as the NFC's leading vote-getter at fullback and was named AP All-Pro.

1998: Played in consecutive Pro Bowls and received AP All-Pro honors.

1999: Started all 16 games, earning AP All-Pro honors and a third straight trip to the Pro Bowl after rushing for a career-best and team-high 949 yards on 242 carries and all of Tampa Bay's seven rushing TDs.

2000: Earned a fourth consecutive trip to the Pro Bowl at fullback despite missing three games with a left knee injury.

2001: Set a team record for offensive players with his fifth Pro Bowl appearance after starting 16 games, plus a playoff game at Philadelphia. Set a personal best with 11 total touchdowns.

2002: Named to sixth and final Pro Bowl, third straight as a starter. Played in all 16 regular-season games with nine starts, plus three playoffs as the Bucs beat the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII. In the postseason, rushed 44 times for 100 yards and a team-high four TDs, and caught eight passes for 70 yards.

2003: Played in four games before being placed on injured reserve because of a neck injury that required surgery. At a tearful news conference, Alstott vowed to return to the Bucs in 2004.

2004: After receiving a clean bill of health, returned to training camp and successfully participated in his first contact drill in 10 months. Already playing in a limited role, his season was interrupted by a knee injury that forced him to miss two games.

2005: Healthy for the first time in three years, he enjoyed a resurgence as the Bucs' short-yardage and goal-line running back. He also was effective catching passes as the Bucs enjoyed an 11-5 record and won the NFC South.

2006: Despite playing a limited role in a disappointing 4-12 season, he reached two important milestones. He recorded his 300th career reception, joining RB James Wilder and WR Mark Carrier as the only Bucs to reach that plateau, and surpassed 5,000 career rushing yards.

What else?

Alstott was more than just a bruising runner. He also returned a total of five kickoffs for 43 yards, including a long of 14. He also attempted two passes, both incomplete.

The decade club

In the Bucs' 30 seasons, only nine players have played with the team for 10 seasons or more.

Dave Moore (1992-2001, 2004-06) 13

Paul Gruber (1988-99) 12

Derrick Brooks (1995-2006) 12

Mike Alstott (1996-2006) 11

John Lynch (1993-2003) 11

Tony Mayberry (1990-99) 10

Steve Wilson (1976-85) 10

Ronde Barber (1997-2006) 10

Shelton Quarles (1997-2006) 10

Bucs all-time rushing yards

1. James Wilder (1981-89) 5,957

2. Mike Alstott (1996-06) 5,088

3. Warrick Dunn (1997-01) 4,200

4. Reggie Cobb (1990-93) 3,061

5. Ricky Bell (1977-81) 3,057

Bucs all-time receptions

1. James Wilder (1981-89) 430

2. Mark Carrier (1987-92) 321

3. Mike Alstott (1996-06) 305

4. Keyshawn Johnson (2000-03) 298

5. Kevin House (1980-86) 286

Bucs all-time scoring

1. Martin Gramatica (1999-2004) 591

2. Michael Husted (1993-98) 502

3. Mike Alstott (1996-2006) 432

4. Donald Igwebuike (1985-89) 416

5. James Wilder (1981-89) 276

[Last modified August 9, 2007, 23:53:23]