1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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. The very next week, the Bucs earned their first home victory, over the St. Louis Cardinals.

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 Gordon, 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.

NFL Draft

 * 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 Brown 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.

Draft selections
The Buccaneers held the first pick in the 1977 NFL Draft, 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.

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 Dickinson, 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.

Regular season
The Buccaneers took their place in the NFC Central Division, while the other 1976 expansion team, the Seattle Seahawks, 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.

Schedule
Notes:
 * All times in North American Eastern Time. (UTC–4 and UTC–5 during Standard Time)

Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
September 18, 1977 at Veterans Stadium, 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.

Week 2: vs Minnesota Vikings
September 24, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

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.

Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys
October 2, 1977 at Texas Stadium, 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.

Week 4: vs Washington Redskins
October 9, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

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.

Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks
October 16, 1977 at the Kingdome, 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".

Week 6: vs Green Bay Packers
October 23, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

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.

Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers
October 30, 1977 at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

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.

Week 8: at Los Angeles Rams
November 6, 1977 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, 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.

Week 9: vs New York Giants
November 13, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

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.

Week 10: at Detroit Lions
November 20, 1977 at the Pontiac Silverdome, 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.

Week 11: vs Atlanta Falcons
November 27, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

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.

Week 12: vs Chicago Bears
December 4, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

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.

Week 13: at New Orleans Saints
December 11, 1977 at Louisiana Superdome, 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.

Week 14: vs St. Louis Cardinals
December 18, 1977 at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida

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.

Awards and honors

 * Dave Pear, United Press International Second Team All-NFC
 * Lee Roy Selmon, United Press International Second Team All-NFC
 * Pear and Selmon were named Pro Bowl 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 Sapp (16.5) and tied by Marcus Jones, both in 2000.
 * Richard Wood's 2 defensive touchdowns stood as a record until broken by Cedric Brown in 1981.