Pitt can't wait to Hit

[Corsair]

LAKE BUENA VISTA - The way Michael Pittman sees it, the linebackers have it coming.

After spending nine NFL seasons absorbing punishment as a running back, the guy with 19 1/2-inch biceps will enjoy being the hammer instead of the nail.

Playing fullback will have its privileges for Pittman.

"I'm going to get my revenge on these linebackers," he said. "Now I'll be running at them instead of them running at me."

Pittman, who turns 32 Tuesday, is capable of doing a lot more in the Bucs offense.

Already the backup running back and third-down receiving back, the 6-foot, 228-pound Pittman is ready and willing to add a new job title to his resume.

With Mike Alstott on injured reserve with his second neck injury since 2003, Pittman started at fullback in Friday's 13-10 preseason victory against New England. He could have company. Fourth-year player Earnest Graham and B.J. Askew, who played four seasons with the Jets, will get some long looks as well.

But Pittman's versatility gives him an edge. Coach Jon Gruden imagines Pittman and Cadillac Williams in the same huddle, a version of the "Rocket backfield" the Bucs experimented with in the previous two preseasons. Only this time, Pittman will be asked on occasion to open some holes.

"Anything I can do to get on the field, whether it's playing fullback, receiver, whatever, I just like playing," he said. "I love the game. If it's playing fullback and that's going to be my role, I'm all for it.

"Cadillac has gotten a lot better catching the ball and he's been working hard on it. It's like a rocket backfield out there. I'll be on the strong side, of course, and the strongside linebacker has to try and cover me and that's a mismatch right there because sometimes the weakside linebacker can't cover me and he's supposed to be faster. So we can create a lot of stuff, a lot of mismatches."

If Pittman has an edge, it's his experience. He has 1,248 rushing attempts and will know what the man following him is thinking.

"One of the things I can bring is that I'm going to be reading the play like I'm carrying the ball," Pittman said. "So if I'm going to see a cutback lane I know Cadillac wants to take behind me, I'm going to cut it up in there. It's going to be a lot easier for me to adjust to the fullback position and try to open some holes. That's just a little advantage I have over a natural fullback."

That kind of awareness helped Alstott, a running back at Purdue and much of his Bucs career.

"The vision you have from carrying the ball, you take it to fullback and have an edge over the guy who's just going to be a big bull and slam in there," Alstott said. "There are situations in short yardage and goal line where you want the guy to go up in there and nail a linebacker. But there are going to be some techniques and some position blocks that are going to open some holes, and the reading of your eyes and footwork will help you get up on that linebacker and be successful."

After just one game, Gruden isn't ready to award the position.

"Earnest and Mike Pittman and a cast of characters will perform that position," he said. "I was happy with B.J. Askew. I think he's a lively guy. He's athletic, being a former halfback at Michigan, and I thought he did some good things in the time he played."

But nobody looks the role more than Pittman. A workout fanatic, he has a mountain range of muscles. He also is well-rested, having averaged just 60 carries the past two seasons.

"I still feel like a young guy even though I'm 31. That isn't old, but in football years, that's getting up there," he said. "It's the way I keep my body, the vitamins I take, I don't drink, I don't smoke. I keep my body in shape. Knock on wood, I've never had any knee injuries. I feel like I could play another five years."

Rick Stroud can be reached at stroud@sptimes.com.

Just another example of how Mike has allowed his role to continually be shifted in order to help this team.

We know he can pick up the blitz, he is fast, he has strength and good hands. A bit undersized for the job, but I bet with his drive he will flourish as a FB.

Thanks, Pittman for being such a team player.

[BuccoBruceski]

Originally Posted by Corsair

Just another example of how Mike has allowed his role to continually be shifted in order to help this team.

We know he can pick up the blitz, he is fast, he has strength and good hands. A bit undersized for the job, but I bet with his drive he will flourish as a FB.

Thanks, Pittman for being such a team player.

Mike is the epitome of a team player and I am glad he plays for us.

[Raleighbucfan]

Originally Posted by BuccoBruceski

Mike is the epitome of a team player and I am glad he plays for us.

You couldn't have said that any better.

[Jack Sparrow]

i love his attitue.....he brings energy to our team....glad we have him.

[InsaneBucFan]

friends, this rocket backfield is going to be exciting to watch.

is this not what we expected when cadillac first got here? finally, now 2 dangerous weapons in the backfield at the same time, dont get me wrong, alstott was the most dangerous weapon on goal line and 3rd and ones, but seing both of them back there on 1st and 10 opens up SO MANY options....

i cant wait. Garcia also has to be happy hes got pitt watchin his back

[UMiamiBucFan]

Well, I don't think anyone ever questioned Pittman's desire to cause collisions.

[Sockapal]

I remember some interview a year or so ago, with Brian Dawkins, and he was asked who he hates tackling the most, and his answer was Michael Pittman. He said somethng to the lines of him being like a Bull and just not afraid to pop you and put his head down and go right at you.

[deltbucs]

After years of BS, it was crazy to actually see the shotgun AND the rocket backfield on Friday.

[deltbucs]

Originally Posted by UMiamiBucFan

Well, I don't think anyone ever questioned Pittman's desire to cause collisions.

ZING!

[sapp is da man]

It's ridiculous he isn't given the ball more.

[The12thMan]

Pittman is a great, great Buccaneer. I hope he retires here.

[Amity 3]

Originally Posted by deltbucs

ZING!

yep, that one went over my head the first time....

I'm a lot more comfortable with him lighting up linebackers when he is not carrying the ball.

Great idea to have them both in the backfield, should be really interesting.

[IronDog]

Originally Posted by sapp is da man

It's ridiculous he isn't given the ball more.

Give Mike the ball!!!!!

See it still works.

[Audiophile897]

Putting aside his previous marital problems, I have always been a fan of pittman and I never thought he got the credit he deserved on the field. Yes it looks like he trips on blades of grass occasionally but he's still a heck of a guy to bring down.

[Urbanswashbuckler]

"Putting aside his previous marital problems, I have always been a fan of pittman and I never thought he got the credit he deserved on the field. Yes it looks like he trips on blades of grass occasionally but he's still a heck of a guy to bring down."


i couldnt agree more,

i was one of the first to jump on his back after said incident, but hes kept his nose clean unlike other players) and has been a terrrific player for us...

not to mention he was a really nice guy when came for SF to see a game last year...he took time to sign everthing and take pics, that says alot, esp. after a loss.

[Jack Sparrow]

i love the guy...i love his attitue.....he is also a very complete player....he can run, block, catch, return kicks...i mean...i think that people underestimate the guy....im really happy that even though he isnt the starting RB..he is willing to contrubute....i love it...

I dont know if I can really remember seeing him run block enough to have an opinion on it. He can pass block, but pass blocking is a different animal than run blocking.

He can chop a DE with the best of em though!

[YZF]

Ah the old "Rocket Backfield". Still waiting for that one.

[Monty'sCircus]

Originally Posted by UMiamiBucFan

Well, I don't think anyone ever questioned Pittman's desire to cause collisions.

zing!

*and if I would have scrolled down, I would have read that delt was quicker then me this evening...

[MrBeef]

Pitt could have been a real !@#$ when we drafted Caddy but he understands and realizes his role for the team. I hope he will be returning KOs this season and (in my quietest voice) Break the KO curse.
I liked it when we 1st signed Pitt and will continue to enjoy watching him play.

[BucMania81]

Originally Posted by Sockapal

I remember some interview a year or so ago, with Brian Dawkins, and he was asked who he hates tackling the most, and his answer was Michael Pittman. He said somethng to the lines of him being like a Bull and just not afraid to pop you and put his head down and go right at you.

Is this serious...

I am all for the players on this team, but I am not sold on Pittman's ability to break tackles or hit someone...

I would much rather seem him line up as a wideout...

[hotboxd]

Originally Posted by BucMania81

Is this serious...

I am all for the players on this team, but I am not sold on Pittman's ability to break tackles or hit someone...

I would much rather seem him line up as a wideout...

trippman cant break tackles because he has terrible balance, but he'll hit a man for sure...he wont be the primary runner from the rocket so its alright...probly be catching most of the passes, and all of the leadblocking...if gruden makes this rocket backfield work ill give him big props for once, it could be dangerous special with garcia at the helm *knock wood*

i remember reading that dawkins quote when it came out, its true.

[Cadillac559]

He'll be the next Lorenzo Neal.

[Patrick McIrish]

Originally Posted by UMiamiBucFan

Well, I don't think anyone ever questioned Pittman's desire to cause collisions.

Amazing the kind of men some choose to look up to. Sigh. With role models like that who can wonder why some of these guys fall so ridiculously short in life.

[Corsair]

Spare us the "High Road" speech, Irish.

Thanks in advance. Feel free to use a catch phrase if it makes you feel better.

[IckeyShuffle]

Originally Posted by Patrick McIrish

Amazing the kind of men some choose to look up to. Sigh. With role models like that who can wonder why some of these guys fall so ridiculously short in life.

People are admiring his willingness to be a team player. I don't think anybody means they want to make some of the the same choices in their personal lives that Mike did. It's amazing to me how some people can size up another person they don''t personally know and dismiss them as a bad person. I've never met Michael Pittman, but I bet he's not the monster you make him out to be just because he had a bad night. Cut the guy a little slack, he's trying to make the team better. That IS still what we want around here, isn't it? Hard to tell sometimes. Having said that... Go Bucs!

Originally Posted by Cadillac559

He'll be the next Lorenzo Neal.

Thats a bold prediction.

[Cadillac559]

Originally Posted by NoStatusQuo

Thats a bold prediction.

[BucBallFan]

When Pittman gets the ball, I hold my breath till the whistle blows.
I'm still not over his bad year of holding onto the football, however
I have to give him all the credit in the world for his receiving abilities.

On a side note, my visit to TC last week made me actually believe that
Cadillac has been working on his pass catching abilities. He looked
smooth and as if he knew what he was doing when the ball was in the
air. I hope it translates to the regular season, as there should be nothing
better than to see Cadillac with the ball in the open field.