The top 5 plays

By TOM JONES
Published August 10, 2007

Jan. 15, 2000

The box score read as if was nothing special:

Alstott 2-yard run.

But anyone who saw it will tell you that not only was it one of the best runs in Bucs history, it might be one of the best runs in NFL history. From north to south, it was 2 yards. But Alstott seemingly ran miles to get into the end zone in this home playoff game against the Redskins.

Taking a handoff from Shaun King, the 260-pound fullback rumbled to his right and spun out of tackles by linebacker Derek Smith and defensive end Marco Coleman. He reversed field and tried the middle, but was met by linebacker James Francis. So Alstott bolted left, where defensive end Ndukwe Kalu was waiting for him.

Alstott easily shed that tackle and cruised into the end zone to spark the Bucs' come-from-behind 14-13 victory.

Humble as always, Alstott said, "They did a good job stretching the play, forcing it outside, forcing it outside, and there was nothing there. I tried cutting it up so I wouldn't lose any yardage, and they didn't wrap up. I kept on breaking tackles, breaking tackles, and I just looked backside and there it was."

Jan. 26, 2003

Again, it's Alstott's trademark, the phrase that should probably be engraved on his tombstone:

Alstott 2-yard run.

But again, this is not just another 2-yard run. It was a 2-yard run into history. It was the Bucs' first Super Bowl touchdown against the Raiders. How fitting. Probably the best-loved player in franchise history will forever be in the books as scoring the Bucs' first touchdown in a Super Bowl.

And how fitting that it was ... a 2-yard run.

Nov. 13, 2005

In the official statistics, Alstott doesn't even get credit for this 2-yard plunge into the end zone.

He doesn't get credit for a carry. He doesn't get credit in his final statistics for these 2 yards.

But, naturally, there seems to be nothing ordinary about the A-Train rumbling the ball 2 yards into the end zone.

With 58 seconds left and the Bucs having just scored to cut a Redskins lead to 35-34, coach Jon Gruden makes the daring decision to go for two. Everyone in Raymond James Stadium is expecting the ball to go to Alstott.

And even though "everybody" includes the Washington defense, Alstott is not denied. He sneaks under the pile, lunging backward at the end to land at the goal line, and, though there is great debate as to whether or not he scored, the officials raise their arms and the Bucs escape with a 36-35 win.

Oct. 13, 2002

The Alstott aficionados will tell you this is the greatest run of Alstott's storied career. It wasn't a touchdown. It came during a relatively easy 17-3 home victory over Cleveland. But it was the epitome of Alstott's bulldog mentality and bulldozer style.

With the Bucs at their 32, Alstott takes a handoff from Brad Johnson and is nearly tripped up by linebacker Earl Holmes. As he keeps moving, Alstott is hit under the left shoulder by cornerback Corey Fuller, who slides down Alstott's body, as Times staff writer Rick Stroud described, as if he was "sliding down a firefighter's pole." Fuller grabs Alstott's ankle, forcing him to hop twice and break free. Next, he is hit by linebacker Dwayne Rudd. Holmes rises to his feet, hits Alstott and it looks as if the play is over. But Alstott somehow stays inches above the ground by propping himself up with his left arm.

Bang, bang, bang, three more Browns take shots at Alstott. He drags several players and is finally hauled down at the 49. The remarkable run lasts a mere 13 seconds, but gains 19 yards during which Alstott was hit nine times by six defenders.

Sept. 14, 1997

This is the play that defines Alstott, the first play everyone thinks of when they think of the A-Train.

It was a mere 1-yard run at Minnesota, but it was pure Alstott.

Taking the handoff, Alstott took a few running steps and looked to make his patented leap over the pile and into the end zone.

But the Vikings, led by defensive end Chris Doleman, were waiting and it appeared Alstott would be shut down. But Alstott simply bounced backward then started another charge toward the goal line.

He darted left, danced around one tackler as he was hit by another. Spun around and now facing the other direction, Alstott threw his head back and started running backward as Viking players started to pile on him. He kept pumping his legs and eventually plowed into the end zone.

Vote for your favorite Mike Alstott play at bucs.tampabay.com

[Last modified August 9, 2007, 23:33:05]