The Buccaneers

According to the Pewter Report, Mike Alstott plans to return in 2007.  I think this is great news for all Bucs fans!  I just hope that if the Bucs DO resign The A Train, that Chucky uses him to his full potential instead of just having him ride the bench.

From The Pewter Report:

 Although he hasn’t made a final decision yet, Tampa Bay fullback Mike Alstott is leaning toward playing in 2007. Alstott, 33, has contemplated retirement for the past two years. Although he wants to return, the Bucs’ interest in re-signing him will play a key role in determining whether or not he plays again this season.

After contemplating retirement for the first part of the offseason, the “A-Train” appears to be onboard for the 2007 season.

Tampa Bay fullback Mike Alstott, who has flirted with retirement for the past two years, is leaning toward putting off retirement and returning to the football field this season.

“Mike is giving serious consideration to playing in ’07,” Alstott’s agent Jim Steiner told PewterReport.com.

Alstott, 33, originally entered the NFL in 1996 as a second-round draft pick out of Purdue. He immediately became a fan favorite en route to producing 5,088 career rushing yards, which ranks second best in team history. He has also hauled in 305 career receptions.

The “A-Train’s” 71 career touchdowns and 58 rushing touchdowns rank first in Tampa Bay history.

Although his role as a ball carrier has been limited under Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden, who views the “A-Train” as more of a fullback, Alstott hopes to return for his 12th season with the Buccaneers.

In fact, Alstott’s final decision regarding his future weighs heavily on the Bucs’ interest level in re-signing him.

Alstott is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on Mar. 2. He was in a similar situation during the 2006 offseason, but wound up signing a one-year deal worth $1.5 million with the Bucs.

“He just needs to take a look at the landscape with the Buccaneers,” Steiner said of Alstott. “We haven’t had any conversations with [the Bucs] yet. Mike just needs to see how it all shakes out before he makes any final decisions.”

Tampa Bay is approximately $24 million under the NFL-mandated salary cap of $109 million. Steiner told Pewter Report that he anticipates talking with Bucs general manager Bruce Allen in the next few weeks.

All I can say is “C’mon Gruden, do the right thing!”