1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
Encyclopedia
The 1977
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
season continued the losing streak that encompassed the entire 1976
season, and extended it to 26 games, which as of remains a record in the modern National Football League
. Fear of becoming the Buccaneers' first victim provided motivation to opposing teams. It took nearly two seasons for the Buccaneers to achieve their first franchise victory, a 33–14 win over the New Orleans Saints
in the second-to-last game of the year. A crowd of 8,000 celebrating fans gathered at team headquarters to greet the team on their return from New Orleans.
Coach John McKay declared the team to be "stronger at every position, with the exception of the quarterback position" than the 1976 team. Injuries, especially at quarterback and offensive line, prevented the offense from gaining any consistency, while the inexperienced line was able to provide neither adequate pass protection nor lanes for the running backs. Opponents lauded the Buccaneer defense's performance, even while posting record numbers of sacks against the Tampa Bay offense. The offense managed only six touchdowns in the entire season, and set a league record of six shutout losses that still stands.
, over ego conflicts. A perception arose that McKay was intolerant toward challenges to his authority, as he frequently cut players who argued with him, and surrounded himself with former USC players and staff. Concern that McKay preferred players who would keep their mouth shut, rather than players with talent, produced resentment among veterans who worried that their limited career spans would be spent with a losing team. Critics accused McKay of attempting a style of play that was more appropriate for the college game, and noted Don Shula
's comment that preparing for the Buccaneers was like preparing to play USC. Reporters who covered the team indicated that McKay did not respond to the losing streak with the humor that it was hoped he would, but that he became an "old grouch" who complained about his coaching assistants, game-day officiating, and opposing coaches who he accused of running up the score
. This was reflected in a bitter tone that had crept into McKay's trademark humor, with comments such as "I keep a picture of O.J. Simpson by my side at all times to remind me of the days when I knew how to coach".
Dennis Fryzel
, coach of the Buccaneers' much-criticized special teams, was replaced by USC
offensive line coach Skip Husbands, who became the fifth USC assistant to join McKay in Tampa. Head trainer Dave Kendall was replaced by Northwestern University
trainer Tom Oxley. Oxley was immediately given the task of rehabilitating the previous season's seventeen players who finished the year on injured reserve. A surprise trade brought Chicago Bears
backup quarterback and Tampa native Gary Huff
to the team, while incumbent quarterback Steve Spurrier
was placed on waivers. Spurrier and McKay had often feuded during the previous season. McKay stated that cutting Spurrier meant that he would have a choice of teams with whom to sign. A rumored attempt to make a deal for Cleveland Browns
quarterback Mike Phipps
was denied, although a trade was later made for Philadelphia Eagles
quarterback Mike Boryla
.
went to the Oakland Raiders
in return for selections in rounds 6 and 9, while guard John Miller brought a tenth round pick from the San Francisco 49ers
. Brown eventually returned to the Buccaneers after being waived from Oakland. The two sixth round picks were traded to the Chicago Bears
in return for quarterback Gary Huff, while the fifth round pick was traded to the Miami Dolphins
for the rights to linebacker Ray Nettles
. The other two selections had been traded during the previous season: the fourth round pick had gone to the Cincinnati Bengals
for running back Charlie Davis
, and the seventh round pick had been traded to the New York Jets
for linebacker Richard Wood.
, and chose Ricky Bell
of USC. This was the first time since O.J. Simpson in 1969
that a running back was taken with the first overall draft pick. Bell was signed to a contract the same day and quickly reunited with his college teammate Dave Lewis
, who was taken in the second round. Lewis became the eleventh former USC
player on the Tampa Bay roster, and when given the news that he was now a Buccaneer, said, "You mean a Trojan Buccaneer". No other NFL team had as many players from any one school, and the Buccaneers began to be called by the unwanted nickname of "USC East". Scouting services regarded Lewis poorly, but the Buccaneers rated him as the best linebacker in the draft. McKay would later call Lewis "the steal of the draft", and say that he would be a top five pick if the draft were held over again. The previous year's offensive line woes were not addressed in the draft, as the team had no picks in the middle rounds, and didn't feel that there were any linemen worth taking in the later rounds. Third round pick Charley Hannah
, brother of future Hall of Fame
tackle John Hannah, would eventually be converted from defensive end to offensive guard.
, who had less than a full year's experience due to a knee injury, and rookie Randy Hedberg
. Jeb Blount
was eventually claimed off waivers from the Oakland Raiders. Hedberg won the starting job with strong performances in the final two preseason games. Dickinson proved prone to throwing interceptions, due to trouble reading defenses and a tendency to throw late passes over the middle, and was cut from the team during training camp. The former Minot State
quarterback Hedberg's surprising rise from fourth-stringer to opening-day starter led to shouts of "Why not Minot?", sales of "RH Positive" t-shirts, and the addition of a radio affiliate in faraway North Dakota
.
A building strategy that emphasized developing young players instead of playing veterans who didn't fit into the team's future plans led the team to trade veteran offensive tackle Mike Current
to the Miami Dolphins for troubled former first-round draft pick Darryl Carlton
. McKay called Carlton "amazing", and said that "he just doesn't make mental mistakes". Dan Medlin
and Jeff Winans, a pair of guards obtained from the Raiders via trade, were touted as the first Buccaneer guards with the speed to lead running plays. The team tried to address their lack of experience at linebacker by arranging a trade for Jack 'Hacksaw' Reynolds, at the time a training camp holdout from the Los Angeles Rams
. Reynolds questioned the validity of his contract and refused to report to Tampa Bay, which his agent referred to as "Outer Mongolia
". The Buccaneers eventually negated the trade, and obtained Rik Bonness
from the Raiders. Bonness, a former Nebraska
center in only his second season as a linebacker, added depth but not experience. Former 1974
first-round draft choice Bill Kollar
came to Tampa Bay after being let go by the Cincinnati Bengals
due to injury concerns. Jeris White
came over from the Miami Dolphins to solidify the trouble spot at left cornerback.
, switched conferences with Tampa Bay and joined the AFC West
. This fulfilled the NFL's plan of having the expansion teams play each other twice and every other NFL franchise once during their first two seasons. Tampa Bay's 1977 schedule consisted of a game against each of the other thirteen NFC teams, and the Seahawks.
The improved Buccaneer lineup included such oddities as running back Anthony Davis, who entered the NFL after playing in the World Football League
and the Canadian Football League
and thus was a rookie for the third time, and Cecil Johnson
, a free-agent linebacker from Miami who chose the Buccaneers over three other teams so that he "wouldn't have a long, sad ride home" if he didn't make the squad. Progress was apparent with the defense, who allowed no 100-yard rushing performances other than Walter Payton
's. A wave of injuries to the offense forced constant lineup changes. Never able to establish any consistency, they were shut out an NFL-record six times. Their first twelve games produced a mere 53 points, some of which occurred on defense, and 23 of which came against fellow expansion team Seattle. Quarterback was the position most obviously affected, but the tight end position was struck similarly. A season-ending knee injury suffered by Bob Moore
in one game left injured rookie linebacker Dana Nafziger as the team's only player capable of taking the field at that position. McKay illustrated the team's situation with comments such as "We couldn't score against a strong wind", and "I may quarterback the team myself." Ricky Bell had some injuries to contend with, but when healthy, displayed sluggish play and a tendency to fumble on crucial drives.
Opponents were fearful of the perceived humiliation of being the first to lose to Tampa Bay, and prepared carefully for the Buccaneers. Dallas Cowboys
quarterback Roger Staubach
said, "...we didn't want to be the first. Psychologically, it could have wrecked our year". New York Giants
coach John McVay
said after a victory, "In 25 years of coaching I've never had as much pressure on me as I did this week". A popular Tampa area t-shirt depicted a sinking pirate ship with the inscription "Go for 0". The franchise finally broke through to victory in a week 13 road game against the New Orleans Saints that led Saints head coach Hank Stram
to lament, "What a nightmare. It was the worst experience of my coaching career. We're all ashamed for our people, for our fans, for our organization". Stram, an early head coaching candidate for the expansion Buccaneers, was fired the following week. The first Buccaneer home victory came in the following week's season-ending game against the St. Louis Cardinals
. Cardinals coach Don Coryell
, already feuding with team owner Bill Bidwill
, was also fired shortly after the loss. The two-game winning streak ended the Buccaneers' losing streak at 0–26. Howard Cosell
honored the Buccaneers' first victory by choosing it as the lead game for the halftime highlights of ABC TV
's Monday Night Football
broadcast, and interviewed McKay by telephone during the game. Bill Cosby
, filling in for longtime Buccaneer mocker Johnny Carson
as host of The Tonight Show
, devoted a five-minute comedy routine to the win. No Buccaneers were honored with Pro Bowl
selections following the season, although it was believed that Lee Roy Selmon
, Dave Lewis, and Dave Pear
would all have been chosen had they played on a playoff contender.
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Eagles
tight end Keith Krepfle
caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Ron Jaworski
and made a 28-yard reception that set up a second touchdown, despite playing in a cast with pins in his hand. Ricky Bell carried the ball 15 times for 53 yards for the Buccaneers, but killed a scoring drive by fumbling on the Eagles' 9-yard line. With Randy Hedberg unable to pick up the Eagles' blitzes, the Buccaneers were ineffective on offense, and had only a field goal to show for four possessions inside the Eagles' 43-yard line.
A 31-yard touchdown pass from Fran Tarkenton
to Chuck Foreman
allowed the Minnesota Vikings
to come from behind for the win. Carl Eller
sacked Randy Hedberg in the end zone to give the Vikings an early lead, but the Buccaneers answered with an 18-yard Allan Leavitt field goal. Hedberg completed 4 of 14 passes for 51 yards, and was replaced by Gary Huff late in the game. Dave Lewis injured his knee early in the game, and newly acquired ex-Steelers
linebacker Paul Harris played well in his place. Tarkenton completed 25 of 38 passes for 223 yards, but was intercepted once by Dewey Selmon, and his completions were mostly limited to dump-offs to his running backs. John McKay thought that the Buccaneers should have been given more credit for a near-upset of a perennial Super Bowl
contender, and chafed over Viking comments that the Buccaneer offense was predictable and conservative. Unwilling to give any credit to the Buccaneer defense, the Vikings blamed their poor offensive performance on the wet field. The crowd of 66,272 was the second-largest crowd yet in Tampa Stadium. Ricky Bell's 21 carries were the most yet by a Buccaneer running back, and the Vikings' 9 points were the least yet allowed by the Buccaneers.
, Irving, Texas
Gary Huff returned from injury to make his first start against the Dallas Cowboys
. Anthony Davis, who had been bothered by nagging injuries, was also inserted into the lineup. This allowed the Buccaneers to move Ricky Bell to fullback, as originally intended. While the Buccaneers were not displeased with Randy Hedberg's performance at quarterback over the first two games, they welcomed Huff's experience and ability to read defenses. The Buccaneers' offense was again held scoreless, with the Buccaneers' first touchdown of the year coming on Richard Wood's 37-yard return of a Tony Dorsett
fumble. Wood followed the play by spiking the ball over the goalposts, in apparent imitation of Cowboy Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson's similar move following a first-quarter interception, his first of two. Wood also had a 29-yard interception return. Several Cowboys complained of excessive trash-talking from the Buccaneers, with Cecil Johnson, Dorsett's college roommate, singled out particularly. Johnson, who claimed close friendship with Dorsett, nevertheless ripped Dorsett's helmet off and punched him in the nose on consecutive plays. Numerous injuries were sustained: starting tight end Bob Moore
suffered a season-ending knee injury, and Dana Nafziger, the only remaining tight end, suffered a knee and a wrist injury. Ricky Bell and Jimmy DuBose
both went out early. Gary Huff played the game in a knee brace, while starters Jeff Winans, Dave Lewis, and Jack Novak
did not play.
Ricky Bell sat out the game with a shoulder injury, and Darryl Carlton left the game early. Tampa Bay quarterbacks were sacked 10 times (still a team record as of 2009), and threw three interceptions. Eddie Brown
's 11 punt returns set an NFL single-game record, also still standing. John McKay reacted angrily to Washington tackle Bill Brundige
's postgame comments that McKay's USC offense wouldn't work in the NFL. He called Brundige an "idiot" and a "dumb tackle", and pointed out that the Redskins scored their first touchdown from the same formation. He went on to tell reporters, "none of you know anything about football", chiding them for asking why the Buccaneers were having trouble moving the ball, despite their knowledge that several starters were out with injuries. The 18th consecutive loss tied the Buccaneers with the 1972
-1973
Houston Oilers
for the third longest NFL losing streak. Washington players afterward praised the Buccaneer defense as among the best in the league.
, Seattle, Washington
Before the game, McKay expressed concern about his team's pass defense, words which proved prophetic as Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Steve Myer
passed for four touchdowns. Filling in for an injured Jim Zorn
, Myer threw two touchdowns to Steve Largent
, one to Duke Fergerson
, and one to Sherman Smith
. They still needed two late interceptions to put the game away, as the Buccaneers' offense achieved their highest point total to date. Gary Huff completed 18 of 32 pass attempts for 217 yards, but was intercepted four times. His audible to beat a Seattle blitz resulted in a 67-yard touchdown pass to Morris Owens
, and Anthony Davis had a 1-yard touchdown run. Owens' 166 yards stood for four years as the Buccaneers' single-game record. Allan Leavitt contributed three field goals. McKay blamed the letdown to his defense's tendency to stop playing pass coverage when the quarterback would roll out, and said they tackled "like a bunch of guys from a junior high school team".
The Green Bay Packers
recovered reserve linebacker Jim Gueno's block of a Dave Green
punt at the Buccaneers' 24-yard line, setting up the only touchdown of the day and a Packers victory. It was the first time since November 24, 1974
, that the Packers had held a team to a shutout. The Buccaneers saw drives end due to penalties and turnovers, with one scoring opportunity lost when Ricky Bell fumbled at the Packers' 2-yard line. Chester Marcol
kicked two field goals, and Eric Torkelson
rushed 22 times for 73 yards and the game's only touchdown. Gary Huff completed 12 of 22 passes before being pulled in the fourth quarter. Fans cheered after a sack left Huff lying on the turf with a cracked rib. Offensive line play continued to be criticized, as both Buccaneer quarterbacks suffered injuries. Huff's replacement, Randy Hedberg, played the final series with a concussion, and had to be led off of the field to be hospitalized after the game. Both injuries were due to hits by Mike Butler. Packers quarterback Lynn Dickey
was sacked three times, and knocked out of the game. The Packers and Buccaneers entered the game with the league's 26th- and 28th-ranked offenses, respectively.
Wilbur Jackson
and Delvin Williams
each ran for a touchdown, and Ray Wersching
kicked a pair of field goals to give the San Francisco 49ers a lead that the Buccaneers would not overcome. The Buccaneers rallied in the fourth quarter. Starting quarterback Jeb Blount led a drive that ended with a 5-yard Louis Carter
touchdown run, followed by an onside kick which the Buccaneers recovered. Dave Green's pass on a fake punt resulted in a 45-yard reception by Danny Reece
, but the offense stalled at the 1-yard line.
, Los Angeles, California
Rams quarterback Pat Haden
was 10 of 21 for 123 yards passing, and two touchdowns. Jeb Blount was 8 of 21 for 83 yards for the Buccaneers, with two interceptions. On one play the Rams jumped offside, but the penalty was called against the Buccaneers. The officials corrected their mistake, but angered McKay by laughing about it. The Rams lost Dennis Harrah
for the season with a knee injury, and suffered injuries to Dave Elmendorf
and Kevin McLain
.
Despite nine possessions inside the New York Giants
' 35-yard line and six inside the 12, the Buccaneers were held scoreless for the fourth time of the season. It was the Giants' first shutout since 1970
. Dan Ryczek
's high snap to punter Dave Green resulted in the Giants taking possession at the Buccaneers' 1-yard line, leading to a Bob Hammond run for the Giants' only touchdown. The Buccaneers were stopped twice when choosing to run on fourth down instead of attempting field goals. Isaac Hagins
narrowly missed returning the kickoff for a touchdown following the Giants' touchdown, but was tackled by the kicker. Danny Reece also was tackled by the last Giant during a punt return that nearly went for a touchdown. Starting quarterback Jeb Blount passed for 234 yards, and threw a touchdown pass to Louis Carter that was called back.
, Pontiac, Michigan
Detroit Lions
quarterback Joe Reed
prevented two Buccaneer touchdowns by tackling Dave Pear on a fumble return and Mike Washington
on an interception return. Dan Ryczek's high snap ruined what was potentially a game-winning field goal attempt. Detroit fans booed the home team throughout the first half, and cheered when Ricky Bell scored on a 4-yard touchdown run following Washington's interception. This was the first time all year that the Buccaneers were the team to score first in a game. Fan support turned when Gary Danielson
replaced Reed in the second half. After Dick Jauron
intercepted a Jeb Blount pass, Danielson led a 55-yard drive that ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Rick Kane
. A potential touchdown pass bounced off of Isaac Hagins' helmet at the Detroit 10-yard line, and another was fumbled by Hagins and recovered in the end zone by James Hunter
. Reggie Pinkney
's late touchdown return of a Randy Hedberg interception sealed the victory for the Lions.
The Atlanta Falcons
allowed a franchise-low 78 yards of offense while holding the Buccaneers to their fifth shutout of the season. Coach McKay called the Buccaneers' play "our worst effort in two years". Gary Huff started at quarterback, throwing three interceptions in his second return from injury of the season. This marked the Buccaneers' 12th change in starting quarterbacks in less than two seasons. Neither the 62 yards rushing or 16 yards passing were team lows, but the combined effort was the Buccaneers' worst to date. The injured Ricky Bell was held to 11 yards on 6 carries. Fans threw soft drinks at McKay and son Richie
, while Bell and Anthony Davis had to be restrained from going into the stands after a heckler. The Falcons intercepted the Buccaneers four times and recovered one fumble, and continued to pursue the league record for least points allowed in a season. They finished the game having held opponents to only 83 points, keeping them on pace to break the 1969
Minnesota Vikings
record of 133.
Chicago Bears
running back Walter Payton entered the game with hopes of surpassing O. J. Simpson's 2,003-yard season, but was held to 101 yards on 33 carries. Ricky Bell set new franchise rushing records with 94 yards on 24 carries. Payton scored the game's only touchdown, a three-yard run that was set up by a 32-yard pass to Steve Schubert from punter Bob Parsons. Lee Roy Selmon sacked quarterback Bob Avellini
twice, blocked one of his passes, and hurried him several times. The Buccaneers' only serious offensive threat ended with a missed field goal in the first quarter.
, New Orleans, Louisiana
The New Orleans Saints did not get a first down until midway through the second quarter, and did not get past midfield until nearly the end of the half. The Buccaneers began their first five drives in Saints territory, scoring on two Dave Green field goals, and a five-yard pass from Gary Huff to Morris Owens that capped off a 71-yard drive. Mike Washington made it 20–0 early in the second half, returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. The Buccaneers also recovered a fumble, and had six interceptions in all. Richard Wood and Greg Johnson also returned interceptions for touchdowns. Before the game, John McKay had read the team an article in which Saints quarterback Archie Manning
stated that it would be disgraceful to lose to Tampa Bay. Inspired by the statements, the Buccaneer defense yelled, "It's disgraceful! It's disgraceful!" at him as the clock wound down.
The Buccaneers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals
, only recently eliminated from playoff contention, for their first home victory. Gary Huff completed 7 of 12 passes, including 61- and 62-yarders to Morris Owens, the first of which went for a touchdown. The improved offensive line allowed no sacks. Huff's average of 14.3 yards per pass attempt is the third-best in Buccaneer history, and stood as the record until broken by Vinny Testaverde
in 1992
. Said Coach McKay following the victory: "I'm going to go home, take a shower, and tell myself what a great coach I am". Fans tore down the goalposts after the game, and a vendor outside the stadium began stamping the word "Don't" at the top of the "Throw McKay in Tampa Bay" t-shirts he had been selling.
1977 NFL season
The 1977 NFL season was the 58th regular season of the National Football League. The Seattle Seahawks were placed in the AFC West while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were slotted in the NFC Central....
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
season continued the losing streak that encompassed the entire 1976
1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers played their debut season in 1976, making league history as the first team to play an entire 14-game season without winning or tying a single game. They did not score until their third game and did not score a touchdown until their fourth. They lost by a touchdown or...
season, and extended it to 26 games, which as of remains a record in the modern National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. Fear of becoming the Buccaneers' first victim provided motivation to opposing teams. It took nearly two seasons for the Buccaneers to achieve their first franchise victory, a 33–14 win over the New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
in the second-to-last game of the year. A crowd of 8,000 celebrating fans gathered at team headquarters to greet the team on their return from New Orleans.
Coach John McKay declared the team to be "stronger at every position, with the exception of the quarterback position" than the 1976 team. Injuries, especially at quarterback and offensive line, prevented the offense from gaining any consistency, while the inexperienced line was able to provide neither adequate pass protection nor lanes for the running backs. Opponents lauded the Buccaneer defense's performance, even while posting record numbers of sacks against the Tampa Bay offense. The offense managed only six touchdowns in the entire season, and set a league record of six shutout losses that still stands.
Offseason
Rumors began to circulate alleging that the Buccaneers were a disorganized and confused organization, and returning veterans were promised that changes were forthcoming. It was pointed out that none of the team's administrative staff had any experience in their position, at the same time that a team of rookie players and coaches was being fielded. These problems were addressed with the firings and resignations of six coaches and administrators at the beginning of the year. Head Coach John McKay used the opportunity to take control of more aspects of the organization, and selected replacements of his choosing. McKay was criticized over his handling of the players, and was accused of cutting veterans who could have helped the team, such as Ira GordonIra Gordon
Ira Lawrence Gordon is a former professional American football player who played offensive tackle for six seasons for the San Diego Chargers. He was a starter for the last two. Left unprotected in the 1976 NFL Expansion Draft, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
, over ego conflicts. A perception arose that McKay was intolerant toward challenges to his authority, as he frequently cut players who argued with him, and surrounded himself with former USC players and staff. Concern that McKay preferred players who would keep their mouth shut, rather than players with talent, produced resentment among veterans who worried that their limited career spans would be spent with a losing team. Critics accused McKay of attempting a style of play that was more appropriate for the college game, and noted Don Shula
Don Shula
Donald Francis "Don" Shula is a former American football cornerback and coach.He is best known as coach of the Miami Dolphins, the team he led to two Super Bowl victories, and to the National Football League's only perfect season. Shula was named 1993 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated....
's comment that preparing for the Buccaneers was like preparing to play USC. Reporters who covered the team indicated that McKay did not respond to the losing streak with the humor that it was hoped he would, but that he became an "old grouch" who complained about his coaching assistants, game-day officiating, and opposing coaches who he accused of running up the score
Running up the score
In North American sports, "running up the score" occurs when a team continues to play in such a way as to score additional points after the outcome of the game is no longer in question and the team is assured of winning...
. This was reflected in a bitter tone that had crept into McKay's trademark humor, with comments such as "I keep a picture of O.J. Simpson by my side at all times to remind me of the days when I knew how to coach".
Dennis Fryzel
Dennis Fryzel
Dennis Fryzel was the last head football coach at the University of Tampa. He was the captain of the football team at Garfield Heights High School, where he lost his teeth to on-the-field injuries. He attended Denison University, where he played football and ran track...
, coach of the Buccaneers' much-criticized special teams, was replaced by USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
offensive line coach Skip Husbands, who became the fifth USC assistant to join McKay in Tampa. Head trainer Dave Kendall was replaced by Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
trainer Tom Oxley. Oxley was immediately given the task of rehabilitating the previous season's seventeen players who finished the year on injured reserve. A surprise trade brought Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
backup quarterback and Tampa native Gary Huff
Gary Huff
Gary Earl Huff , who graduated from Leto Senior High School in Tampa, Florida and played college football and baseball at Florida State University, was a professional football quarterback. He was an All-American at FSU, where he led the nation in touchdown passes in 1971 and 1972...
to the team, while incumbent quarterback Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach...
was placed on waivers. Spurrier and McKay had often feuded during the previous season. McKay stated that cutting Spurrier meant that he would have a choice of teams with whom to sign. A rumored attempt to make a deal for Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback Mike Phipps
Mike Phipps
Michael Elston Phipps is a former professional American football quarterback who played collegiately for the Purdue University Boilermakers , and professionally for both the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears .-College career:After playing high school for Columbus High School in Columbus,...
was denied, although a trade was later made for Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback Mike Boryla
Mike Boryla
Michael Jay Boryla was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 1970s. He played college football at Stanford University, where he was the team's MVP during his senior season...
.
NFL Draft
| Pick | Round | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 1 | Ricky Bell Ricky Bell (running back) Ricky Lynn Bell younger brother of recording artist Archie Bell, was an American professional football player who played running back in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1982... |
Running Back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... |
USC USC Trojans The USC Trojans are the athletic teams representing the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. While the men's teams are nicknamed the Trojans, the women's athletic teams are referred to as either the Trojans or Women of Troy... |
| 29 | 2 | Dave Lewis Dave Lewis (American football player) David Rodney Lewis is a retired National Football League linebacker.-High school career:Prior to that he played at San Diego City College and Abraham Lincoln High School where Marcus Allen, Akili Smith and Terrell Davis have since played.-College career:Lewis played college football at the... |
Linebacker | USC |
| 57 | 3 | Charley Hannah Charley Hannah Charley Hannah is a former American football offensive guard and defensive end who played in the National Football League from 1977 to 1988. Charley played six years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and six years for the Los Angeles Raiders... |
Defensive End | Alabama Alabama Crimson Tide football |TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team... |
| 196 | 8 | Randy Hedberg Randy Hedberg Randolph R. Hedberg is a American football coach and a former player. He is currently the quarterbacks coach at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a position he has held since 2008. Hedberg played as a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL in 1977. He served as the head... |
Quarterback | Minot State Minot State Beavers football The Minot State Beavers football team is a NAIA program that competes in the Dakota Athletic Conference. The current head coach is Paul Rudolph.-Head coaches:-External links:**... |
| 224 | 9 | Byron Hemingway | Linebacker | Boston College Boston College Eagles football The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division... |
| 251 | 9 (from Oakland) | Larry Mucker Larry Mucker Larry Donnell Mucker is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the ninth round of the 1977 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State.-References:... |
Wide Receiver | Arizona State Arizona State Sun Devils football The Arizona State Sun Devils' football program represents Arizona State University in college football, and competes in NCAA Division I FBS as a member of the Pacific-12 Conference.... |
| 252 | 10 | Robert Morgan | Running Back | Florida Florida Gators football The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference... |
| 267 | 10 (from San Francisco) | Aaron Ball | Linebacker | Cal State-Fullerton Cal State Fullerton Titans football The Cal State Fullerton Titans football team represented California State University, Fullerton from the 1970 through 1992 seasons. The Titans originally competed as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association from 1970-1973 before moving to the Pacific Coast Athletic Association in... |
| 280 | 11 | Chuck Rodgers | Defensive Back | North Dakota State North Dakota State Bison football The North Dakota State Bison football program represents North Dakota State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level and competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. From 2004 to 2007, the Bison were members of the Great West Football... |
| 308 | 12 | Chip Sheffield | Wide Receiver | Lenoir-Rhyne |
- Charley Hannah played defensive end in college, but was converted to offensive guard in the pros.
Draft trades
A pair of trades gained three picks for the team, which helped compensate for the lack of selections in rounds 4-7. Cedric BrownCedric Brown
Cedric Brown , is a former American professional football player who played in 9 NFL seasons from 1976-1984 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Brown was a very solid and underrated free safety for the Bucs, seldom making errors but capable of big plays also....
went to the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in return for selections in rounds 6 and 9, while guard John Miller brought a tenth round pick from the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. Brown eventually returned to the Buccaneers after being waived from Oakland. The two sixth round picks were traded to the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in return for quarterback Gary Huff, while the fifth round pick was traded to the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for the rights to linebacker Ray Nettles
Ray Nettles
Ray Nettles was a football linebacker at the University of Tennessee who played professional Canadian football from 1972-1980. He was a five-time Canadian Football League All-Star and Hall of Famer.-Early years:...
. The other two selections had been traded during the previous season: the fourth round pick had gone to the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
for running back Charlie Davis
Charlie Davis (running back)
Charles Douglas "Charlie" Davis is a former American football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League...
, and the seventh round pick had been traded to the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for linebacker Richard Wood.
Draft selections
The Buccaneers held the first pick in the 1977 NFL Draft1977 NFL Draft
The 1977 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held May 3–4, 1977...
, and chose Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell (running back)
Ricky Lynn Bell younger brother of recording artist Archie Bell, was an American professional football player who played running back in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Diego Chargers from 1977 to 1982...
of USC. This was the first time since O.J. Simpson in 1969
1969 NFL season
The 1969 NFL season was the 50th regular season of the National Football League, and the last one before the AFL-NFL Merger. To honor the NFL's 50th season, a special anniversary logo was designed and each player wore a patch on their jerseys with this logo throughout the season.As per the...
that a running back was taken with the first overall draft pick. Bell was signed to a contract the same day and quickly reunited with his college teammate Dave Lewis
Dave Lewis (American football player)
David Rodney Lewis is a retired National Football League linebacker.-High school career:Prior to that he played at San Diego City College and Abraham Lincoln High School where Marcus Allen, Akili Smith and Terrell Davis have since played.-College career:Lewis played college football at the...
, who was taken in the second round. Lewis became the eleventh former USC
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are the athletic teams representing the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. While the men's teams are nicknamed the Trojans, the women's athletic teams are referred to as either the Trojans or Women of Troy...
player on the Tampa Bay roster, and when given the news that he was now a Buccaneer, said, "You mean a Trojan Buccaneer". No other NFL team had as many players from any one school, and the Buccaneers began to be called by the unwanted nickname of "USC East". Scouting services regarded Lewis poorly, but the Buccaneers rated him as the best linebacker in the draft. McKay would later call Lewis "the steal of the draft", and say that he would be a top five pick if the draft were held over again. The previous year's offensive line woes were not addressed in the draft, as the team had no picks in the middle rounds, and didn't feel that there were any linemen worth taking in the later rounds. Third round pick Charley Hannah
Charley Hannah
Charley Hannah is a former American football offensive guard and defensive end who played in the National Football League from 1977 to 1988. Charley played six years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and six years for the Los Angeles Raiders...
, brother of future Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
tackle John Hannah, would eventually be converted from defensive end to offensive guard.
Preseason
The expected preseason quarterback battle between Mike Boryla and Gary Huff failed to occur, as both suffered knee injuries in the first two preseason games. This left the team with just two healthy quarterbacks: Parnell DickinsonParnell Dickinson
Parnell Dickinson is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for one season...
, who had less than a full year's experience due to a knee injury, and rookie Randy Hedberg
Randy Hedberg
Randolph R. Hedberg is a American football coach and a former player. He is currently the quarterbacks coach at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a position he has held since 2008. Hedberg played as a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL in 1977. He served as the head...
. Jeb Blount
Jeb Blount
John Eugene Blount is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tulsa, where he completed 320 of 588 passes for 4,372 yards and 35 touchdowns in three...
was eventually claimed off waivers from the Oakland Raiders. Hedberg won the starting job with strong performances in the final two preseason games. Dickinson proved prone to throwing interceptions, due to trouble reading defenses and a tendency to throw late passes over the middle, and was cut from the team during training camp. The former Minot State
Minot State Beavers football
The Minot State Beavers football team is a NAIA program that competes in the Dakota Athletic Conference. The current head coach is Paul Rudolph.-Head coaches:-External links:**...
quarterback Hedberg's surprising rise from fourth-stringer to opening-day starter led to shouts of "Why not Minot?", sales of "RH Positive" t-shirts, and the addition of a radio affiliate in faraway North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
.
A building strategy that emphasized developing young players instead of playing veterans who didn't fit into the team's future plans led the team to trade veteran offensive tackle Mike Current
Mike Current
Michael Current was a college and professional offensive lineman in the 1960s and '70s.Current played left tackle for the Ohio State Buckeyes under head coach Woody Hayes. After backing up All American Jim Davidson as a sophomore, Current became a starter as junior in 1965...
to the Miami Dolphins for troubled former first-round draft pick Darryl Carlton
Darryl Carlton
Darryl Marvin Carlton was a former professional American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He was a 1st round selection in the 1975 NFL Draft out of the University of Tampa by the Miami Dolphins. He would go on to play for the Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ....
. McKay called Carlton "amazing", and said that "he just doesn't make mental mistakes". Dan Medlin
Dan Medlin
Daniel Ellis Medlin is a former American football Guard who played for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League between 1974 and 1976 and again in 1979. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers between 1977 and 1978. He played 76 games in 6 seasons in the NFL...
and Jeff Winans, a pair of guards obtained from the Raiders via trade, were touted as the first Buccaneer guards with the speed to lead running plays. The team tried to address their lack of experience at linebacker by arranging a trade for Jack 'Hacksaw' Reynolds, at the time a training camp holdout from the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
. Reynolds questioned the validity of his contract and refused to report to Tampa Bay, which his agent referred to as "Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia
Outer Mongolia was a territory of the Qing Dynasty = the Manchu Empire. Its area was roughly equivalent to that of the modern state of Mongolia, which is sometimes informally called "Outer Mongolia" today...
". The Buccaneers eventually negated the trade, and obtained Rik Bonness
Rik Bonness
Richard Kyes "Rik" Bonness is a former professional football player, a linebacker for four seasons in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
from the Raiders. Bonness, a former Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers football
The Nebraska Cornhuskers represent the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in college football. The program has established itself as a traditional powerhouse, and has the fourth-most all-time victories of any NCAA Division I-A team. Nebraska is one of only six football programs in NCAA Division I-A...
center in only his second season as a linebacker, added depth but not experience. Former 1974
1974 Cincinnati Bengals season
The 1974 Cincinnati Bengals season was the team's seventh year in professional football and its fifth with the National Football League.Cincinnati traded Bill Bergey to Philadelphia for two first-round draft choices and a third-round pick in 1977. Jim LeClair replaced Bergey at middle linebacker...
first-round draft choice Bill Kollar
Bill Kollar
William Wallace "Bill" Kollar was a National Football League defensive lineman from 1974 through 1981. He has been an NFL assistant coach for 17 years. He has coached the Defensive Line of the Rams, Falcons and Bills...
came to Tampa Bay after being let go by the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
due to injury concerns. Jeris White
Jeris White
Jeris Jerome White is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League for nine seasons for the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins. He played football at Radford High School, Honolulu, Hawaii and at the University of Hawaii...
came over from the Miami Dolphins to solidify the trouble spot at left cornerback.
Regular season
The Buccaneers took their place in the NFC Central Division, while the other 1976 expansion team, the Seattle SeahawksSeattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
, switched conferences with Tampa Bay and joined the AFC West
AFC West
The AFC West is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference, currently comprising the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Oakland Raiders.-History:...
. This fulfilled the NFL's plan of having the expansion teams play each other twice and every other NFL franchise once during their first two seasons. Tampa Bay's 1977 schedule consisted of a game against each of the other thirteen NFC teams, and the Seahawks.
The improved Buccaneer lineup included such oddities as running back Anthony Davis, who entered the NFL after playing in the World Football League
World Football League
The World Football League was a short-lived gridiron football league that played in 1974 and part of 1975. Although the league's proclaimed ambition was to bring American football onto a worldwide stage, the farthest the WFL reached was placing a team – the Hawaiians – in Honolulu, Hawaii. The...
and the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and thus was a rookie for the third time, and Cecil Johnson
Cecil Johnson
Cecil Johnson is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for nine seasons for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
, a free-agent linebacker from Miami who chose the Buccaneers over three other teams so that he "wouldn't have a long, sad ride home" if he didn't make the squad. Progress was apparent with the defense, who allowed no 100-yard rushing performances other than Walter Payton
Walter Payton
Walter Jerry Payton was an American football running back who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League for thirteen seasons. Walter Payton was known around the NFL as "Sweetness". He is remembered as one of the most prolific running backs in the history of American football...
's. A wave of injuries to the offense forced constant lineup changes. Never able to establish any consistency, they were shut out an NFL-record six times. Their first twelve games produced a mere 53 points, some of which occurred on defense, and 23 of which came against fellow expansion team Seattle. Quarterback was the position most obviously affected, but the tight end position was struck similarly. A season-ending knee injury suffered by Bob Moore
Bob Moore (American football)
Robert Moore is a former American football tight end, who played eight seasons in the National Football League. He played college football at Stanford University....
in one game left injured rookie linebacker Dana Nafziger as the team's only player capable of taking the field at that position. McKay illustrated the team's situation with comments such as "We couldn't score against a strong wind", and "I may quarterback the team myself." Ricky Bell had some injuries to contend with, but when healthy, displayed sluggish play and a tendency to fumble on crucial drives.
Opponents were fearful of the perceived humiliation of being the first to lose to Tampa Bay, and prepared carefully for the Buccaneers. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
quarterback Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys'...
said, "...we didn't want to be the first. Psychologically, it could have wrecked our year". New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
coach John McVay
John McVay
John McVay is a former American football coach who rose through the coaching ranks from high school, through the college level, and to the NFL...
said after a victory, "In 25 years of coaching I've never had as much pressure on me as I did this week". A popular Tampa area t-shirt depicted a sinking pirate ship with the inscription "Go for 0". The franchise finally broke through to victory in a week 13 road game against the New Orleans Saints that led Saints head coach Hank Stram
Hank Stram
Henry Louis "Hank" Stram was an American football coach. He is best known for his 15-year tenure with the American Football League's Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs and the Chiefs of the NFL. Stram won three AFL Championships and Super Bowl IV with the Chiefs...
to lament, "What a nightmare. It was the worst experience of my coaching career. We're all ashamed for our people, for our fans, for our organization". Stram, an early head coaching candidate for the expansion Buccaneers, was fired the following week. The first Buccaneer home victory came in the following week's season-ending game against the St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Cardinals coach Don Coryell
Don Coryell
Donald David Coryell was an American football coach, who coached in the NFL first with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1973–1977 and then the San Diego Chargers from 1978-1986. He was well known for his innovations to football's passing offense. Coryell's offense was commonly known as "Air Coryell"...
, already feuding with team owner Bill Bidwill
Bill Bidwill
William V. "Bill" Bidwill, Sr. is the principal owner and chairman of the board of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was part-owner from 1962 to 1972 with his brother Charles, Jr. and has been sole owner since 1972.-Education:Bidwill went to Georgetown Preparatory School,...
, was also fired shortly after the loss. The two-game winning streak ended the Buccaneers' losing streak at 0–26. Howard Cosell
Howard Cosell
Howard William Cosell was an American sports journalist who was widely known for his blustery, cocksure personality. Cosell said of himself, "Arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, a showoff. I have been called all of these...
honored the Buccaneers' first victory by choosing it as the lead game for the halftime highlights of ABC TV
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
broadcast, and interviewed McKay by telephone during the game. Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. is an American comedian, actor, author, television producer, educator, musician and activist. A veteran stand-up performer, he got his start at various clubs, then landed a starring role in the 1960s action show, I Spy. He later starred in his own series, the...
, filling in for longtime Buccaneer mocker Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
as host of The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
, devoted a five-minute comedy routine to the win. No Buccaneers were honored with Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selections following the season, although it was believed that Lee Roy Selmon
Lee Roy Selmon
Lee Roy Selmon was a Hall of Fame NFL football defensive lineman.-Early life:Selmon was the youngest of nine children of Lucious and Jessie Selmon, raised on a farm near Eufaula, Oklahoma...
, Dave Lewis, and Dave Pear
Dave Pear
David Pear is a retired American football defensive tackle. He was the first Tampa Bay Buccaneers player to be selected to the Pro Bowl and played in Super Bowl XV for the winning Oakland Raiders....
would all have been chosen had they played on a playoff contender.
Schedule
| Regular season | ||||||||
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Kickoff | Game site | TV | Record | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 18, 1977 | at Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 13–3 | 1:00 | Veterans Stadium Veterans Stadium Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex... |
CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
0–1 | 63,132 |
| 2 | September 24, 1977 | Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
L 9–3 | 8:00 | Tampa Stadium | CBS | 0–2 | 66,272 |
| 3 | October 2, 1977 | at Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
L 23–7 | 1:00 | Texas Stadium Texas Stadium Texas Stadium was a football stadium in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The stadium opened on September 17, 1971.Built to replace the aging Cotton Bowl, it was the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and had a seating capacity of 65,675... |
CBS | 0–3 | 55,316 |
| 4 | October 9, 1977 | Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
L 10–0 | 4:00 | Tampa Stadium | CBS | 0–4 | 58,571 |
| 5 | October 16, 1977 | at Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team... |
L 30–23 | 4:00 | Kingdome Kingdome The Kingdome was a multi-purpose stadium located in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. Owned and operated by King County, the Kingdome opened in 1976 and was best known as the home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League , the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball , and the... |
CBS | 0–5 | 54,783 |
| 6 | October 23, 1977 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
L 13–0 | 1:00 | Tampa Stadium | CBS | 0–6 | 47,635 |
| 7 | October 30, 1977 | at San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
L 20–10 | 4:00 | Candlestick Park | CBS | 0–7 | 34,700 |
| 8 | November 6, 1977 | at Los Angeles Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,... |
L 31–0 | 4:00 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team... |
CBS | 0–8 | 45,493 |
| 9 | November 13, 1977 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 10–0 | 1:00 | Tampa Stadium | CBS | 0–9 | 46,518 |
| 10 | November 20, 1977 | at Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and... |
L 16–7 | 2:00 | Pontiac Silverdome Silverdome The Silverdome is an indoor sporting and entertainment venue located in Launceston, Tasmania built in 1984. The Silverdome was built at an estimated cost of A$4 million, as the Tasmanian Government "proposed a world class facility" to replace the run down velodrome in the Launceston suburb of St... |
CBS | 0–10 | 49,751 |
| 11 | November 27, 1977 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 17–0 | 1:00 | Tampa Stadium | CBS | 0–11 | 43,592 |
| 12 | December 4, 1977 | Chicago Bears Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 10–0 | 1:00 | Tampa Stadium | CBS | 0–12 | 48,948 |
| 13 | December 11, 1977 | at New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
W 33–14 | 2:00 | Louisiana Superdome | CBS | 1–12 | 40,124 |
| 14 | December 18, 1977 | St. Louis Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 17–7 | 1:00 | Tampa Stadium | CBS | 2–12 | 56,922 |
Standings
| NFC Central | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA | STK | |
| Minnesota Vikings 1977 Minnesota Vikings season 1977 was the 17th year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 58th regular season of the National Football League. The Vikings finished with a record of nine wins and five losses. Quarterback Fran Tarkenton was injured with a broken leg in week 9 and missed the rest of the... |
9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | 231 | 227 | W-1 |
| Chicago Bears 1977 Chicago Bears season The 1977 Chicago Bears season was their 58th regular season and 13th postseason completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 9-5 record earning them a wild card spot against the Dallas Cowboys, who eventually beat the Bears en route to a Super Bowl victory.Walter Payton was the star... |
9 | 5 | 0 | .643 | 255 | 253 | W-6 |
| Detroit Lions 1977 Detroit Lions season The 1977 Detroit Lions season was their 48th in the league. The team matched their previous season's output of 6-8. The team missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:... |
6 | 8 | 0 | .429 | 183 | 252 | L-1 |
| Green Bay Packers 1977 Green Bay Packers season The 1977 Green Bay Packers season was their 57th season in the National Football League. The club posted a 4-10 record under coach Bart Starr, earning them a fourth-place finish in the NFC Central division.-NFL Draft:... |
4 | 10 | 0 | .286 | 134 | 219 | W-1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 12 | 0 | .143 | 103 | 223 | W-2 |
1977 Roster
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1977 roster | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
|
Offensive Linemen
Dave Reavis David Craig Reavis was a National Football League offensive lineman from 1974 through 1983.... * LT Dan Ryczek Daniel Stanley Ryczek is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at the University of Virginia and was drafted in the thirteenth round of the 1971 NFL... * C Steve Wilson (offensive lineman) Steve Wilson is a former American football center in the National Football League who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976 to 1985. He was the last original Buccaneer to retire and the only original Buc player to be a starter in each of the first 10 seasons of the franchise... * C Dan Medlin Daniel Ellis Medlin is a former American football Guard who played for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League between 1974 and 1976 and again in 1979. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers between 1977 and 1978. He played 76 games in 6 seasons in the NFL... * RG Darryl Carlton Darryl Marvin Carlton was a former professional American football offensive tackle in the National Football League. He was a 1st round selection in the 1975 NFL Draft out of the University of Tampa by the Miami Dolphins. He would go on to play for the Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .... * RT Howard Fest Howard Arthur Fest is a former American football offensive lineman who played in the American Football League and in the National Football League . He was an original member of the AFL Cincinnati Bengals, playing with them for 9 years. He began his career at tackle, but later moved to guard. He... G-T Charley Hannah Charley Hannah is a former American football offensive guard and defensive end who played in the National Football League from 1977 to 1988. Charley played six years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and six years for the Los Angeles Raiders... G/T/DE Defensive Linemen
|
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Special Teams
|
Reserve Lists
Rookies in italics * = starters |
|||||
Coaching staff
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1977 coaching staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
|
|||||
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
September 18, 1977 at Veterans StadiumVeterans Stadium
Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
tight end Keith Krepfle
Keith Krepfle
Keith Robert Krepfle is a former American football tight end who played for eight seasons in the National Football League. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1975–1981 and the Atlanta Falcons in 1982. He was selected by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 1974 NFL Draft...
caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Ron Jaworski
Ron Jaworski
Ronald Vincent "Ron" Jaworski is a former American football quarterback and currently an NFL analyst on ESPN. He is also CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf Management, Inc., based out of Blackwood, New Jersey, and manages golf courses in southern New Jersey, northeast Pennsylvania, and West Virginia...
and made a 28-yard reception that set up a second touchdown, despite playing in a cast with pins in his hand. Ricky Bell carried the ball 15 times for 53 yards for the Buccaneers, but killed a scoring drive by fumbling on the Eagles' 9-yard line. With Randy Hedberg unable to pick up the Eagles' blitzes, the Buccaneers were ineffective on offense, and had only a field goal to show for four possessions inside the Eagles' 43-yard line.
Week 2: vs Minnesota Vikings
September 24, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
A 31-yard touchdown pass from Fran Tarkenton
Fran Tarkenton
Francis Asbury "Fran" Tarkenton is a former professional football player, TV personality, and computer software executive....
to Chuck Foreman
Chuck Foreman
Chuck Foreman is a retired NFL football player.He was a running back during his NFL career, although he often caught passes out of the backfield.-Early career:...
allowed the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
to come from behind for the win. Carl Eller
Carl Eller
Carl Eller is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played from 1964 through 1979. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and attended the University of Minnesota...
sacked Randy Hedberg in the end zone to give the Vikings an early lead, but the Buccaneers answered with an 18-yard Allan Leavitt field goal. Hedberg completed 4 of 14 passes for 51 yards, and was replaced by Gary Huff late in the game. Dave Lewis injured his knee early in the game, and newly acquired ex-Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
linebacker Paul Harris played well in his place. Tarkenton completed 25 of 38 passes for 223 yards, but was intercepted once by Dewey Selmon, and his completions were mostly limited to dump-offs to his running backs. John McKay thought that the Buccaneers should have been given more credit for a near-upset of a perennial Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
contender, and chafed over Viking comments that the Buccaneer offense was predictable and conservative. Unwilling to give any credit to the Buccaneer defense, the Vikings blamed their poor offensive performance on the wet field. The crowd of 66,272 was the second-largest crowd yet in Tampa Stadium. Ricky Bell's 21 carries were the most yet by a Buccaneer running back, and the Vikings' 9 points were the least yet allowed by the Buccaneers.
Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys
October 2, 1977 at Texas StadiumTexas Stadium
Texas Stadium was a football stadium in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The stadium opened on September 17, 1971.Built to replace the aging Cotton Bowl, it was the home field of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, and had a seating capacity of 65,675...
, Irving, Texas
Irving, Texas
Irving is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas within Dallas County. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city population was 216,290. Irving is within the Dallas–Plano–Irving metropolitan division of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area, designated...
Gary Huff returned from injury to make his first start against the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
. Anthony Davis, who had been bothered by nagging injuries, was also inserted into the lineup. This allowed the Buccaneers to move Ricky Bell to fullback, as originally intended. While the Buccaneers were not displeased with Randy Hedberg's performance at quarterback over the first two games, they welcomed Huff's experience and ability to read defenses. The Buccaneers' offense was again held scoreless, with the Buccaneers' first touchdown of the year coming on Richard Wood's 37-yard return of a Tony Dorsett
Tony Dorsett
Anthony "Tony" Drew Dorsett is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos.-Early years:...
fumble. Wood followed the play by spiking the ball over the goalposts, in apparent imitation of Cowboy Thomas "Hollywood" Henderson's similar move following a first-quarter interception, his first of two. Wood also had a 29-yard interception return. Several Cowboys complained of excessive trash-talking from the Buccaneers, with Cecil Johnson, Dorsett's college roommate, singled out particularly. Johnson, who claimed close friendship with Dorsett, nevertheless ripped Dorsett's helmet off and punched him in the nose on consecutive plays. Numerous injuries were sustained: starting tight end Bob Moore
Bob Moore (American football)
Robert Moore is a former American football tight end, who played eight seasons in the National Football League. He played college football at Stanford University....
suffered a season-ending knee injury, and Dana Nafziger, the only remaining tight end, suffered a knee and a wrist injury. Ricky Bell and Jimmy DuBose
Jimmy DuBose
Jimmy DeWayne DuBose is a former American college and professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League for three seasons in the 1970s...
both went out early. Gary Huff played the game in a knee brace, while starters Jeff Winans, Dave Lewis, and Jack Novak
Jack Novak
Jack Novak was a player in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1975 to 1977 as a tight end. Novak was drafted by the Bengals in the twelfth round of the 1972 NFL Draft by the Bengals...
did not play.
Week 4: vs Washington Redskins
October 9, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
Ricky Bell sat out the game with a shoulder injury, and Darryl Carlton left the game early. Tampa Bay quarterbacks were sacked 10 times (still a team record as of 2009), and threw three interceptions. Eddie Brown
Eddie Brown (safety)
Paul Edward Brown is a former American football safety in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns, the Washington Redskins, and the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.Brown attended Marion County High School in Jasper and graduated in 1970...
's 11 punt returns set an NFL single-game record, also still standing. John McKay reacted angrily to Washington tackle Bill Brundige
Bill Brundige
William Glenn Brundige is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins for eight seasons between 1970 and 1977. He is currently sixth on the Redskins all-time sack list...
's postgame comments that McKay's USC offense wouldn't work in the NFL. He called Brundige an "idiot" and a "dumb tackle", and pointed out that the Redskins scored their first touchdown from the same formation. He went on to tell reporters, "none of you know anything about football", chiding them for asking why the Buccaneers were having trouble moving the ball, despite their knowledge that several starters were out with injuries. The 18th consecutive loss tied the Buccaneers with the 1972
1972 Houston Oilers season
The 1972 Houston Oilers season was the 13th season the team was with the league. The team failed to improve on their previous season's output of 4–9–1, winning only one game. They missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season....
-1973
1973 Houston Oilers season
The 1973 Houston Oilers season was the 4th season in league and the 14th overall. The team matched their previous season's output of 1–13. They missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...
Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
for the third longest NFL losing streak. Washington players afterward praised the Buccaneer defense as among the best in the league.
Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks
October 16, 1977 at the KingdomeKingdome
The Kingdome was a multi-purpose stadium located in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. Owned and operated by King County, the Kingdome opened in 1976 and was best known as the home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League , the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball , and the...
, Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
Before the game, McKay expressed concern about his team's pass defense, words which proved prophetic as Seattle Seahawks backup quarterback Steve Myer
Steve Myer
Steve Paul Myer is a former professional American football player who played in 4 NFL seasons from 1976-1979 for the Seattle Seahawks.-Notes:Steve once met Jeff Widmyer at a Barbeque....
passed for four touchdowns. Filling in for an injured Jim Zorn
Jim Zorn
James Arthur "Jim" Zorn is an American quarterbacks coach in the National Football League. He was formerly the quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens and now holds that same position with the Kansas City Chiefs...
, Myer threw two touchdowns to Steve Largent
Steve Largent
Steven Michael "Steve" Largent is a retired American football player, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a former U.S. Congressman, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma from 1994 until 2002...
, one to Duke Fergerson
Duke Fergerson
Duke Fergerson is a former professional American football wide receiver who played in four National Football League seasons from 1977-1980 for the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills...
, and one to Sherman Smith
Sherman Smith
Sherman Smith is the running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks. He is a former offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. He is also a former professional American football running back for eight seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers...
. They still needed two late interceptions to put the game away, as the Buccaneers' offense achieved their highest point total to date. Gary Huff completed 18 of 32 pass attempts for 217 yards, but was intercepted four times. His audible to beat a Seattle blitz resulted in a 67-yard touchdown pass to Morris Owens
Morris Owens
Morris Owens , is a former professional American football player who was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading receiver in 1976, their first season in the National Football League. He is also Hilly Hicks' uncle....
, and Anthony Davis had a 1-yard touchdown run. Owens' 166 yards stood for four years as the Buccaneers' single-game record. Allan Leavitt contributed three field goals. McKay blamed the letdown to his defense's tendency to stop playing pass coverage when the quarterback would roll out, and said they tackled "like a bunch of guys from a junior high school team".
Week 6: vs Green Bay Packers
October 23, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
The Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
recovered reserve linebacker Jim Gueno's block of a Dave Green
Dave Green (American football)
Dave Green is a former punter and placekicker in the National Football League. He played for the Houston Oilers, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
punt at the Buccaneers' 24-yard line, setting up the only touchdown of the day and a Packers victory. It was the first time since November 24, 1974
1974 Green Bay Packers season
The 1974 Green Bay Packers season was their 54th season in the National Football League. The club posted a 6-8 record under coach Dan Devine, earning them a third-place finish in the NFC Central division...
, that the Packers had held a team to a shutout. The Buccaneers saw drives end due to penalties and turnovers, with one scoring opportunity lost when Ricky Bell fumbled at the Packers' 2-yard line. Chester Marcol
Chester Marcol
Czesław "Chester" Marcol is a former American Football Placekicker for the Green Bay Packers. He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1987.-Early years:...
kicked two field goals, and Eric Torkelson
Eric Torkelson
Eric Grove Torkelson is a former American football running back who played seven seasons for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League from ....
rushed 22 times for 73 yards and the game's only touchdown. Gary Huff completed 12 of 22 passes before being pulled in the fourth quarter. Fans cheered after a sack left Huff lying on the turf with a cracked rib. Offensive line play continued to be criticized, as both Buccaneer quarterbacks suffered injuries. Huff's replacement, Randy Hedberg, played the final series with a concussion, and had to be led off of the field to be hospitalized after the game. Both injuries were due to hits by Mike Butler. Packers quarterback Lynn Dickey
Lynn Dickey
Clifford Lynn Dickey is a retired National Football League quarterback, who played for the Houston Oilers and the Green Bay Packers in the 1970s and 1980s.-High school:...
was sacked three times, and knocked out of the game. The Packers and Buccaneers entered the game with the league's 26th- and 28th-ranked offenses, respectively.
Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers
October 30, 1977 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
Wilbur Jackson
Wilbur Jackson
Wilbur Jackson is a former American football running back for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft out of University of Alabama by the 49ers. He played five seasons for San Francisco, and then three years with the...
and Delvin Williams
Delvin Williams
Delvin Williams , is a former professional American football player who was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2nd round of the 1974 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 197-lb. running back from the University of Kansas, Williams played for the 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Green Bay Packers in eight NFL...
each ran for a touchdown, and Ray Wersching
Ray Wersching
Raimund "Ray" Wersching is an Austrian former placekicker in the National Football League . He played in the NFL for a span of 15 years, stretching from 1973 through 1987.-NFL career:...
kicked a pair of field goals to give the San Francisco 49ers a lead that the Buccaneers would not overcome. The Buccaneers rallied in the fourth quarter. Starting quarterback Jeb Blount led a drive that ended with a 5-yard Louis Carter
Louis Carter
Louis Edward Carter is a former running back in the National Football League. He played for the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
touchdown run, followed by an onside kick which the Buccaneers recovered. Dave Green's pass on a fake punt resulted in a 45-yard reception by Danny Reece
Danny Reece
Danny Reece is a retired American football cornerback.-Childhood:Danny grew up with 8 siblings -- 5 brothers and 3 sisters, most of them younger. His brothers also played football, but Danny was the only one who played professionally. His father, Lyoud Reece, served on the USS Arizona during the...
, but the offense stalled at the 1-yard line.
Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams
November 6, 1977 at Los Angeles Memorial ColiseumLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a large outdoor sports stadium in the University Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, at Exposition Park, that is home to the Pacific-12 Conference's University of Southern California Trojans football team...
, Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
Rams quarterback Pat Haden
Pat Haden
Patrick Capper "Pat" Haden is the athletic director at the University of Southern California. He played quarterback for the USC Trojans before playing professionally in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976 to 1981...
was 10 of 21 for 123 yards passing, and two touchdowns. Jeb Blount was 8 of 21 for 83 yards for the Buccaneers, with two interceptions. On one play the Rams jumped offside, but the penalty was called against the Buccaneers. The officials corrected their mistake, but angered McKay by laughing about it. The Rams lost Dennis Harrah
Dennis Harrah
Dennis Wayne Harrah is a former NFL Offensive Lineman who played 13 seasons in the National Football League for Los Angeles Rams. He played college football for the University of Miami.- University of Miami :...
for the season with a knee injury, and suffered injuries to Dave Elmendorf
Dave Elmendorf
David Cole Elmendorf was an American football player. He played as a safety for nine seasons in the NFL. He was a part of the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl XIV team. In 1997 he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.David attended and graduated, in 1967, from Westbury High School in...
and Kevin McLain
Kevin McLain
Kevin Wayne McLain is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was a 1st round selection in the 1976 NFL Draft out of Colorado State University. McLain played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976-1979....
.
Week 9: vs New York Giants
November 13, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
Despite nine possessions inside the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
' 35-yard line and six inside the 12, the Buccaneers were held scoreless for the fourth time of the season. It was the Giants' first shutout since 1970
1970 New York Giants season
The 1970 New York Giants was the 46th season for the professional American football franchise. This was the first season for the Giants after the AFL-NFL merger, in which ten American Football League teams joined the National Football League. The team was led by second-year head coach Alex Webster...
. Dan Ryczek
Dan Ryczek
Daniel Stanley Ryczek is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at the University of Virginia and was drafted in the thirteenth round of the 1971 NFL...
's high snap to punter Dave Green resulted in the Giants taking possession at the Buccaneers' 1-yard line, leading to a Bob Hammond run for the Giants' only touchdown. The Buccaneers were stopped twice when choosing to run on fourth down instead of attempting field goals. Isaac Hagins
Isaac Hagins
Isaac Ben Hagins is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern....
narrowly missed returning the kickoff for a touchdown following the Giants' touchdown, but was tackled by the kicker. Danny Reece also was tackled by the last Giant during a punt return that nearly went for a touchdown. Starting quarterback Jeb Blount passed for 234 yards, and threw a touchdown pass to Louis Carter that was called back.
Week 10: at Detroit Lions
November 20, 1977 at the Pontiac SilverdomePontiac Silverdome
The Silverdome is a domed stadium located in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, USA, which sits on . It was the largest stadium in the National Football League until FedEx Field in suburban Washington, D.C...
, Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
quarterback Joe Reed
Joe Reed (American football)
Joe Reed is a former professional American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions . He recorded an album of standards with the 49ers' cheerleading squad, then known as the Niner Nuggets, in 1974.-External links:*...
prevented two Buccaneer touchdowns by tackling Dave Pear on a fumble return and Mike Washington
Mike Washington
Mike Washington , is a former American professional football player who played in 9 NFL seasons from 1976-1984 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mike was selected in the in 3rd round of 1975 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts....
on an interception return. Dan Ryczek's high snap ruined what was potentially a game-winning field goal attempt. Detroit fans booed the home team throughout the first half, and cheered when Ricky Bell scored on a 4-yard touchdown run following Washington's interception. This was the first time all year that the Buccaneers were the team to score first in a game. Fan support turned when Gary Danielson
Gary Danielson
Gary Danielson is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League . He played for the Detroit Lions from 1976 to 1984 and for the Cleveland Browns in 1985, 1987, and 1988...
replaced Reed in the second half. After Dick Jauron
Dick Jauron
Richard Manuel Jauron is the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was the head coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2006 until November 2009. Jauron has previously held head coaching positions with the Chicago Bears and, on an interim basis, with the...
intercepted a Jeb Blount pass, Danielson led a 55-yard drive that ended in a 1-yard touchdown run by Rick Kane
Rick Kane
Richard James Kane was an American football running back in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins. Kane rushed for 1,486 yards during his NFL career. He played college football at the University of Oregon and San Jose State University. Following his...
. A potential touchdown pass bounced off of Isaac Hagins' helmet at the Detroit 10-yard line, and another was fumbled by Hagins and recovered in the end zone by James Hunter
James Hunter (American football)
James Edward Hunter was an American football defensive back who played for the Detroit Lions in the National Football League. Hunter was the 10th player picked in the 1976 NFL Draft. He led the Lions in interceptions in 1976, 1977, and 1980. Hunter is 7th all-time for interceptions in Lions...
. Reggie Pinkney
Reggie Pinkney
Vernon Reginald Pinkney is a former American football defensive back. He played five seasons in the National Football League, two with the Detroit Lions and three with the Baltimore Colts. Pickney was drafted 166th overall in the 1977 NFL Draft after an All-Conference career at East Carolina...
's late touchdown return of a Randy Hedberg interception sealed the victory for the Lions.
Week 11: vs Atlanta Falcons
November 27, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
The Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
allowed a franchise-low 78 yards of offense while holding the Buccaneers to their fifth shutout of the season. Coach McKay called the Buccaneers' play "our worst effort in two years". Gary Huff started at quarterback, throwing three interceptions in his second return from injury of the season. This marked the Buccaneers' 12th change in starting quarterbacks in less than two seasons. Neither the 62 yards rushing or 16 yards passing were team lows, but the combined effort was the Buccaneers' worst to date. The injured Ricky Bell was held to 11 yards on 6 carries. Fans threw soft drinks at McKay and son Richie
Rich McKay
Rich McKay is the president, CEO, and former general manager of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII.-Early years:...
, while Bell and Anthony Davis had to be restrained from going into the stands after a heckler. The Falcons intercepted the Buccaneers four times and recovered one fumble, and continued to pursue the league record for least points allowed in a season. They finished the game having held opponents to only 83 points, keeping them on pace to break the 1969
1969 Minnesota Vikings season
1969 was the ninth year of season play for the Minnesota Vikings and the 50th regular season of the National Football League. The Vikings again won the NFL Central Division title, as finished with a record of 12 wins and two losses, plus playoff wins over the Los Angeles Rams in the Western...
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
record of 133.
Week 12: vs Chicago Bears
December 4, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
running back Walter Payton entered the game with hopes of surpassing O. J. Simpson's 2,003-yard season, but was held to 101 yards on 33 carries. Ricky Bell set new franchise rushing records with 94 yards on 24 carries. Payton scored the game's only touchdown, a three-yard run that was set up by a 32-yard pass to Steve Schubert from punter Bob Parsons. Lee Roy Selmon sacked quarterback Bob Avellini
Bob Avellini
Robert Hayden Avellini was a quarterback in the NFL. For most of his career, he played for the Chicago Bears before finishing with the New York Jets. His nickname was "Slow-Mo".-Pro career:...
twice, blocked one of his passes, and hurried him several times. The Buccaneers' only serious offensive threat ended with a missed field goal in the first quarter.
Week 13: at New Orleans Saints
December 11, 1977 at Louisiana SuperdomeLouisiana Superdome
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...
, New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
The New Orleans Saints did not get a first down until midway through the second quarter, and did not get past midfield until nearly the end of the half. The Buccaneers began their first five drives in Saints territory, scoring on two Dave Green field goals, and a five-yard pass from Gary Huff to Morris Owens that capped off a 71-yard drive. Mike Washington made it 20–0 early in the second half, returning an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. The Buccaneers also recovered a fumble, and had six interceptions in all. Richard Wood and Greg Johnson also returned interceptions for touchdowns. Before the game, John McKay had read the team an article in which Saints quarterback Archie Manning
Archie Manning
Elisha Archibald "Archie" Manning III is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League, playing for the New Orleans Saints from 1971 to 1982, then for the Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings...
stated that it would be disgraceful to lose to Tampa Bay. Inspired by the statements, the Buccaneer defense yelled, "It's disgraceful! It's disgraceful!" at him as the clock wound down.
Week 14: vs St. Louis Cardinals
December 18, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FloridaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
The Buccaneers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, only recently eliminated from playoff contention, for their first home victory. Gary Huff completed 7 of 12 passes, including 61- and 62-yarders to Morris Owens, the first of which went for a touchdown. The improved offensive line allowed no sacks. Huff's average of 14.3 yards per pass attempt is the third-best in Buccaneer history, and stood as the record until broken by Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde
Vincent Frank Testaverde is a former NFL quarterback. Testaverde last played for the Carolina Panthers and had previously played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. Testaverde holds the NFL record for having...
in 1992
1992 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The 1992 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on a 3–13 season. It was the first season of Sam Wyche's four-year spell as Buccaneer head coach. Wyche said before the season that he believed he could turn Vinny Testaverde into a great player. Tampa Bay had lop-sided wins...
. Said Coach McKay following the victory: "I'm going to go home, take a shower, and tell myself what a great coach I am". Fans tore down the goalposts after the game, and a vendor outside the stadium began stamping the word "Don't" at the top of the "Throw McKay in Tampa Bay" t-shirts he had been selling.
Awards and honors
- Dave PearDave PearDavid Pear is a retired American football defensive tackle. He was the first Tampa Bay Buccaneers player to be selected to the Pro Bowl and played in Super Bowl XV for the winning Oakland Raiders....
, United Press InternationalUnited Press InternationalUnited Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
Second Team All-NFCNational Football ConferenceThe National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,... - Lee Roy SelmonLee Roy SelmonLee Roy Selmon was a Hall of Fame NFL football defensive lineman.-Early life:Selmon was the youngest of nine children of Lucious and Jessie Selmon, raised on a farm near Eufaula, Oklahoma...
, United Press InternationalUnited Press InternationalUnited Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
Second Team All-NFCNational Football ConferenceThe National Football Conference is one of the two conferences of the National Football League . This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference , currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.-Current teams:Since 2002, the NFC has comprised 16 teams,... - Pear and Selmon were named Pro BowlPro BowlIn professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
alternates
Records
- The defense's 3,926 yards allowed is the lowest in team history.
- 223 points allowed is the second-lowest in team history, although it is the third-lowest point average because of the 14-game schedule.
- 106 passing first downs allowed is a team record.
- Lee Roy Selmon's 13 sacks is fifth-best in Buccaneer history, and stood as first-place until broken by Warren SappWarren SappWarren Carlos Sapp is a retired American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year professional career, and college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was then...
(16.5) and tied by Marcus Jones, both in 20002000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers seasonThe 2000 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on a 11-5 season. In week 15 they won one of the greatest games in the history of Monday Night Football against the St. Louis Rams...
. - Richard Wood's 2 defensive touchdowns stood as a record until broken by Cedric Brown in 19811981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers seasonThe 1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on an 5-10-1 season. The team was considered to be superior to the 1979 team that finished the season one game shy of the Super Bowl. With the running game and special teams ineffective, the Buccaneers depended heavily on...
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