Alstott on IR

More followup on Mike Alstott and it's bad.

Alstott Done for 2003

Full article:
http://www.buccaneers.com/news/newsdetail.aspx?newsid=3360

Clipped from the official Buccaneer website:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be without their all-time leading
touchdown-maker for the rest of the 2003 season.

The team announced early Tuesday evening that it had placed fullback Mike Alstott on injured reserve as a result of the neck injury he aggravated Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Players placed on injured reserve may not return to action at any point during that season.

Alstott has been dealing with neck soreness for much of the regular season. He received a battery of tests over the weekend prior to Monday's game but was cleared medically to play. He then re-aggravated the injury against the Colts and by Tuesday morning had already been ruled out for next weekend's contest against the Washington Redskins.

Now the Bucs have determined that they will not have the services of the league's most decorated fullback, a six-time Pro Bowler who owns 4,607 rushing yards, 230 receptions and 59 total touchdowns, for the rest of the year. Those totals rank second, eighth and first, respectively in franchise history.

"It's unfortunate that I suffered an injury and will be unable to help my teammates defend another championship this year," said Alstott. "I am going to turn all of my attention to getting better, and the doctors and everyone that I have consulted with, fully expect me to be back in a Buccaneer uniform next season. I truly appreciate all of the support and encouragement from our fans."

"This is a terrible blow to our football team," said Head Coach Jon
Gruden. "Mike Alstott is a great leader and a great player. We are
counting on him coming back even better next year. We will miss him, but we have to step up."

This season, Alstott has 77 rushing yards, 83 receiving yards and the Bucs' only two rushing touchdowns. He is also the NFL's leader in third-and-one rushing, succeeding on all seven of his tries in that situation.

The loss of Alstott didn't prompt a reciprocal addition at his position because he is somewhat of a unique player. The Bucs already have two other more traditional fullbacks on the roster in Jameel Cook and Darian Barnes, and three other ballcarriers in Michael Pittman, Aaron Stecker and Thomas Jones.

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Wow. Tough 48 hours for Tampa Fans. Our best wishes to Alstott as he's a Footballguys.com favorite. This will put more pressure than ever on running back Michael Pittman as he'll be asked to carry more of the load. He'll miss the blocking of Alstott but will likely see an increase in short yardage and goal line opportunities.

 

I probably missed it if it's sunk back to page 2 or so. I haven't been home long. I'll look for it.

 

Nope. Wasn't here. What probably happened was someone merged them, and it gave somebody else's title.

Ciurciu isn't that good. That smacks of spitefulness.

 

But he's quick and played some FB in college, you never know.

 

well, it looks like a true fullback might actually make the pro-bowl this year.

 

hoover

 

I always liked Alstott. I thought that the Bucs kinda fucked him by making him a FB/RB. He absolutely punished defenses.

 

Kinda fucked him? He got to the Pro Bowl every year because he had RB stats at the FB position. He benefited pretty nicely from them Fucking him.

 

I meant that he should have played RB more - yeah you are right about the pro bowl. I just liked watching him run right the fuck over people.

 

I freaking wish, but nah. I think it'll end up being Henderson.