Tampa Bay Buccaneers

<h2>2002-07 John Gruden Era: World Champions</h2>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-filler="true"></p><h3>Head Coaching Moves</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true">The Glazer brothers were so displeased with the selection of yet another defensive-minded coach that they overruled McKay and took control of the candidate search themselves. They made it clear that their top choice was <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jon%20Gruden%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jon%20Gruden%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJon%20Gruden%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Jon_Gruden" title="Jon Gruden">Jon Gruden</a>. The problem was that he was still under contract to the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Oakland%20Raiders%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Oakland%20Raiders%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BOakland%20Raiders%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Oakland_Raiders" title="Oakland Raiders" class="mw-redirect">Oakland Raiders</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">While talks with the Raiders were secretly under way, the Glazers publicly pursued another respected offensive mind, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22San%20Francisco%2049ers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22San%20Francisco%2049ers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSan%20Francisco%2049ers%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/San_Francisco_49ers" title="San Francisco 49ers">San Francisco 49ers</a> head coach <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Steve%20Mariucci%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Steve%20Mariucci%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSteve%20Mariucci%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Steve_Mariucci" title="Steve Mariucci">Steve Mariucci</a>. Just when initial reports indicated that Mariucci had agreed to become both the Bucs' head coach and their general manager, Raiders owner <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Al%20Davis%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Al%20Davis%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BAl%20Davis%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Al_Davis" title="Al Davis">Al Davis</a> agreed to release Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">The Glazers' shrewd move eventually paid off in acquiring Gruden, but it cost the team dearly. The team hired Gruden away from the Raiders on February 20, 2002, but the price was four <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22draft%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22NFL%20Draft%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNFL%20Draft%7Cdraft%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/NFL_Draft" title="NFL Draft">draft</a> picks, including the Bucs' first and second round picks in 2002, their first round pick in 2003, and their second round pick in 2004, along with $8 million in cash; the league as a result prohibited any further trading of draft picks for coaches. Gruden, who was frustrated by the limitation of his coaching authority by Davis, was more than pleased to return to Tampa Bay, as his parents lived nearby, and he had spent part of his childhood in Tampa in the early 1980s when his father had worked as a Bucs <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22running%20back%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22running%20back%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5Brunning%20back%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">running back</a>, coach, and director of player personnel.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2002</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"><span class="placeholder placeholder-double-brackets" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22double-brackets%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%7B%7Bmain%7C2002%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%7D%7D%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%221%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22main%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%7D" contenteditable="false">&#x200b;:*<b>Main article:</b> <i><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22wikitextIdx%22%3Anull%2C%22text%22%3A%222002%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222002%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2002_Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers" title="2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers">2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a></i>&#x200b;</span>
<!-- RTE::{"spaces":0,"type":"LINE_BREAK"} -->Upon his arrival in Tampa, Gruden immediately went to work, retooling a sluggish offense. The league's sweeping realignment sent the Bucs to the new <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22NFC%20South%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22NFC%20South%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNFC%20South%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/NFC_South" title="NFC South">NFC South</a> Division, along with the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Atlanta%20Falcons%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Atlanta%20Falcons%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BAtlanta%20Falcons%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Atlanta_Falcons" title="Atlanta Falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a>, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Carolina%20Panthers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Carolina%20Panthers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCarolina%20Panthers%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Carolina_Panthers" title="Carolina Panthers">Carolina Panthers</a> and <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22New%20Orleans%20Saints%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22New%20Orleans%20Saints%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNew%20Orleans%20Saints%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints" title="New Orleans Saints">New Orleans Saints</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">Led by the league's top defense, the 2002 campaign was the Buccaneers' most successful season to date. They won the NFC South title with the team's best ever record, 12-4, and went on to rout Gruden's former team, the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Oakland%20Raiders%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Oakland%20Raiders%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BOakland%20Raiders%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Oakland_Raiders" title="Oakland Raiders" class="mw-redirect">Oakland Raiders</a> who had the league's number 1 offense, by a score of 48-21 in <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Super%20Bowl%20XXXVII%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Super%20Bowl%20XXXVII%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSuper%20Bowl%20XXXVII%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Super_Bowl_XXXVII" title="Super Bowl XXXVII">Super Bowl XXXVII</a>.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2003</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"><span class="placeholder placeholder-double-brackets" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22double-brackets%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%7B%7Bmain%7C2003%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%7D%7D%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%221%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22main%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%7D" contenteditable="false">&#x200b;:*<b>Main article:</b> <i><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22wikitextIdx%22%3Anull%2C%22text%22%3A%222003%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222003%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2003_Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers" title="2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers">2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a></i>&#x200b;</span>
<!-- RTE::{"spaces":0,"type":"LINE_BREAK"} -->Soon after the Super Bowl victory, a growing number of press reports indicated Gruden's lack of patience with general manager McKay. McKay was a major architect of the Bucs rebuilding effort over the previous ten years, and he, like Gruden, had long-established ties to the Tampa Bay area. However, during the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%222003%20season%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222003%20NFL%20season%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B2003%20NFL%20season%7C2003%20season%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2003_NFL_season" title="2003 NFL season">2003 season</a>, the Gruden-McKay relationship deteriorated as the Bucs struggled on the field. In November, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Keyshawn%20Johnson%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Keyshawn%20Johnson%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BKeyshawn%20Johnson%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Keyshawn Johnson (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvS2V5c2hhd25fSm9obnNvbj9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Keyshawn Johnson</a> was deactivated by the team ten games into the season for his conduct, which included sideline arguments with Bucs coaches and players. Johnson was eventually traded to the Dallas Cowboys for wide receiver <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Joey%20Galloway%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Joey%20Galloway%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJoey%20Galloway%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Joey_Galloway" title="Joey Galloway">Joey Galloway</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">In December, the Glazers allowed McKay to leave the Bucs before the end of the regular season, and he promptly joined the Falcons as president and general manager. Thus, McKay watched his first game as a Falcons executive sitting next to owner <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Arthur%20Blank%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Arthur%20Blank%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BArthur%20Blank%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Arthur Blank (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQXJ0aHVyX0JsYW5rP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Arthur Blank</a> in a Raymond James Stadium skybox. The Falcons defeated the Bucs 30-28. Despite opening the season with a <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Monday%20night%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Monday%20Night%20Football%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMonday%20Night%20Football%7CMonday%20night%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Monday_Night_Football" title="Monday Night Football">Monday night</a> win over the Eagles in Philadelphia's new stadium, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Lincoln%20Financial%20Field%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Lincoln%20Financial%20Field%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BLincoln%20Financial%20Field%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Lincoln_Financial_Field" title="Lincoln Financial Field">Lincoln Financial Field</a>, the Bucs finished the season 7-9.
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<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2004</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"><span class="placeholder placeholder-double-brackets" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22double-brackets%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%7B%7Bmain%7C2004%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%7D%7D%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%221%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22main%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%7D" contenteditable="false">&#x200b;:*<b>Main article:</b> <i><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22wikitextIdx%22%3Anull%2C%22text%22%3A%222004%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222004%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2004_Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers" title="2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers">2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a></i>&#x200b;</span>
<!-- RTE::{"spaces":0,"type":"LINE_BREAK"} -->For 2004, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Bruce%20Allen%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Bruce%20Allen%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBruce%20Allen%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Bruce Allen (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQnJ1Y2VfQWxsZW4/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Bruce Allen</a> was hired as general manager. After Allen's arrival, both <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22John%20Lynch%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22John%20Lynch%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJohn%20Lynch%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/John_Lynch" title="John Lynch">John Lynch</a> and <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Warren%20Sapp%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Warren%20Sapp%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BWarren%20Sapp%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Warren_Sapp" title="Warren Sapp">Warren Sapp</a> were released, stunning many Buccaneer fans. The distracted Buccaneers began the 2004 season with a 1-5 record, their worst start under Gruden. The fading accuracy of <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22kicker%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22kicker%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5Bkicker%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Kicker" title="Kicker" class="mw-redirect">kicker</a> <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Martin%20Gramatica%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Martin%20Gramatica%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMartin%20Gramatica%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Martin Gramatica (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTWFydGluX0dyYW1hdGljYT9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Martin Gramatica</a> did not help matters, as the team lost many close games en route to a 5-11 record.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2005</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"><span class="placeholder placeholder-double-brackets" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22double-brackets%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%7B%7Bmain%7C2005%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%7D%7D%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%221%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22main%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%7D" contenteditable="false">&#x200b;:*<b>Main article:</b> <i><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22wikitextIdx%22%3Anull%2C%22text%22%3A%222005%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222005%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2005_Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers" title="2005 Tampa Bay Buccaneers">2005 Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a></i>&#x200b;</span>
<!-- RTE::{"spaces":0,"type":"LINE_BREAK"} --><img data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22broken-image%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22Th_2pts.jpg%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BImage%3ATh%202pts.jpg%7Cframe%7Cright%7C300px%7CThe%20replay%20of%20the%20controversial%202-Point%20Conversion%20was%20deemed%20inconclusive.%20This%20proved%20to%20be%20the%20turning%20point%20of%20their%20season.%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="placeholder placeholder-broken-image" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D" type="broken-image" />
<!-- RTE::{"spaces":0,"type":"LINE_BREAK"} -->In the 2005 season, the Buccaneers celebrated their 30th season in the league, and returned to their winning ways. The Bucs selected <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Carnell%20%5C%22Cadillac%5C%22%20Williams%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Carnell%20Williams%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCarnell%20Williams%7CCarnell%20%5C%22Cadillac%5C%22%20Williams%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Carnell Williams (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQ2FybmVsbF9XaWxsaWFtcz9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Carnell "Cadillac" Williams</a> in the first round of the 2005 draft, and the rookie would provide a running game the Buccaneers had not possessed since the days of <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22James%20Wilder%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22James%20Wilder%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJames%20Wilder%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="James Wilder (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSmFtZXNfV2lsZGVyP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">James Wilder</a> in the 1980s.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">After starting 5-1, the team entered a midseason slump hampered by a season-ending injury to starting QB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Brian%20Griese%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Brian%20Griese%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBrian%20Griese%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Brian Griese (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQnJpYW5fR3JpZXNlP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Brian Griese</a>. Replacement starter <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Chris%20Simms%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Chris%20Simms%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BChris%20Simms%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Chris_Simms" title="Chris Simms">Chris Simms</a> struggled early, but came into his own leading to the team to a last-minute win over the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Redskins%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Washington%20Redskins%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BWashington%20Redskins%7CRedskins%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Washington_Redskins" title="Washington Redskins">Redskins</a>. The Bucs won the NFC South Division finishing 11-5. The season ended abruptly, however, with a 17-10 loss in the Wild Card round, in a rematch with the Redskins.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2006</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"><span class="placeholder placeholder-double-brackets" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22double-brackets%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%7B%7Bmain%7C2006%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%7D%7D%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%221%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22main%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%7D" contenteditable="false">&#x200b;:*<b>Main article:</b> <i><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22wikitextIdx%22%3Anull%2C%22text%22%3A%222006%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222006%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2006_Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers" title="2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers">2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a></i>&#x200b;</span>
<!-- RTE::{"spaces":0,"type":"LINE_BREAK"} -->After winning the division in 2005, the Bucs suffered through an abysmal 2006 season. The season was plagued by injuries, with starters such as G <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Dan%20Buenning%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Dan%20Buenning%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDan%20Buenning%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Dan Buenning (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvRGFuX0J1ZW5uaW5nP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Dan Buenning</a>, WR <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Michael%20Clayton%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Michael%20Clayton%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMichael%20Clayton%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Michael Clayton (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTWljaGFlbF9DbGF5dG9uP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Michael Clayton</a>, RB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Carnell%20Williams%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Carnell%20Williams%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCarnell%20Williams%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Carnell Williams (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQ2FybmVsbF9XaWxsaWFtcz9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Carnell Williams</a>, DE <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Simeon%20Rice%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Simeon%20Rice%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSimeon%20Rice%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Simeon Rice (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvU2ltZW9uX1JpY2U/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Simeon Rice</a>, CB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Brian%20Kelly%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Brian%20Kelly%20%28football%20player%29%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBrian%20Kelly%20%28football%20player%29%7CBrian%20Kelly%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Brian Kelly (football player) (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQnJpYW5fS2VsbHlfKGZvb3RiYWxsX3BsYXllcik/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Brian Kelly</a>, and QB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Chris%20Simms%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Chris%20Simms%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BChris%20Simms%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Chris_Simms" title="Chris Simms">Chris Simms</a> all being placed on injured reserve at some point in the season. The season also saw a lot of rookies starting for the Bucs, such as QB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Bruce%20Gradkowski%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Bruce%20Gradkowski%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBruce%20Gradkowski%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Bruce Gradkowski (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQnJ1Y2VfR3JhZGtvd3NraT9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Bruce Gradkowski</a>, T <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jeremy%20Trueblood%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jeremy%20Trueblood%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJeremy%20Trueblood%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Jeremy Trueblood (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSmVyZW15X1RydWVibG9vZD9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Jeremy Trueblood</a>, and G <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Davin%20Joseph%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Davin%20Joseph%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDavin%20Joseph%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Davin Joseph (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvRGF2aW5fSm9zZXBoP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Davin Joseph</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">The Bucs started off the season 0-3, with QB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Chris%20Simms%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Chris%20Simms%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BChris%20Simms%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Chris_Simms" title="Chris Simms">Chris Simms</a> throwing only 1 touchdown to 7 interceptions. In the third game of the season, a last-minute loss to the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Panthers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Carolina%20Panthers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCarolina%20Panthers%7CPanthers%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Carolina_Panthers" title="Carolina Panthers">Panthers</a>, Simms' spleen was ruptured, and he was placed on injured reserve for the balance of the season. After their bye week, the Bucs elected to start rookie quarterback <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Bruce%20Gradkowski%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Bruce%20Gradkowski%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBruce%20Gradkowski%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Bruce Gradkowski (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQnJ1Y2VfR3JhZGtvd3NraT9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Bruce Gradkowski</a>, a 6th-round pick from Toledo. After nearly beating the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Saints%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22New%20Orleans%20Saints%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNew%20Orleans%20Saints%7CSaints%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints" title="New Orleans Saints">Saints</a>, Gradkowski lead the team to last-minute wins over the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Bengals%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Cincinnati%20Bengals%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCincinnati%20Bengals%7CBengals%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Cincinnati_Bengals" title="Cincinnati Bengals">Bengals</a> and <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Eagles%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Philadelphia%20Eagles%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BPhiladelphia%20Eagles%7CEagles%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Philadelphia_Eagles" title="Philadelphia Eagles">Eagles</a>. The success was short-lived, however, and the Bucs lost five of the next six games. <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Tim%20Rattay%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Tim%20Rattay%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BTim%20Rattay%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Tim_Rattay" title="Tim Rattay">Tim Rattay</a> replaced Gradkowski as quarterback late in the season, and the team finished 4-12. The aged defense, with 5 starters who had played there for a decade or more, was ranked 17th overall, the first time a Tampa defense was not ranked in the top ten since 1996.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2007</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"><span class="placeholder placeholder-double-brackets" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22double-brackets%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%7B%7Bmain%7C2007%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%7D%7D%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%221%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22main%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%7D" contenteditable="false">&#x200b;:*<b>Main article:</b> <i><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22wikitextIdx%22%3Anull%2C%22text%22%3A%222007%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222007%20Tampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2007_Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers" title="2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers">2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a></i>&#x200b;</span>
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">After a disappointing 4-12 effort in 2006, the Buccaneers for the first time in several seasons had money to spend in free agency. They brought in quarterback <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jeff%20Garcia%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jeff%20Garcia%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJeff%20Garcia%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Jeff_Garcia" title="Jeff Garcia">Jeff Garcia</a>, offensive tackle <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Luke%20Petitgout%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Luke%20Petitgout%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BLuke%20Petitgout%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Luke Petitgout (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTHVrZV9QZXRpdGdvdXQ/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Luke Petitgout</a>, defensive end <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Kevin%20Carter%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Kevin%20Carter%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BKevin%20Carter%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Kevin_Carter" title="Kevin Carter">Kevin Carter</a>, and linebacker <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Cato%20June%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Cato%20June%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCato%20June%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Cato_June" title="Cato June">Cato June</a>. On April 28, the Buccaneers drafted Clemson defensive end <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Gaines%20Adams%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Gaines%20Adams%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BGaines%20Adams%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Gaines_Adams" title="Gaines Adams">Gaines Adams</a> with the 4th overall pick in the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%222007%20NFL%20Draft%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222007%20NFL%20Draft%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B2007%20NFL%20Draft%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2007_NFL_Draft" title="2007 NFL Draft">2007 NFL Draft</a>. After the draft the Buccaneers picked up tight end <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jerramy%20Stevens%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jerramy%20Stevens%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJerramy%20Stevens%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Jerramy Stevens (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSmVycmFteV9TdGV2ZW5zP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Jerramy Stevens</a> and defensive tackle <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Ryan%20Sims%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Ryan%20Sims%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BRyan%20Sims%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Ryan Sims (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvUnlhbl9TaW1zP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Ryan Sims</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">The offseason changes resulted in the Buccaneers winning the NFC South title, finishing with a 9-7 record, and the 4th seed in the NFC. The division crown is the 2nd one in three seasons while under Gruden. In the Wild Card round of the playoffs held on January 6, 2008, the Buccaneers lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22New%20York%20Giants%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22New%20York%20Giants%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNew%20York%20Giants%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/New_York_Giants" title="New York Giants">New York Giants</a> by a final score of 24-14.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">On December 16, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Micheal%20Spurlock%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Micheal%20Spurlock%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMicheal%20Spurlock%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Micheal Spurlock (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTWljaGVhbF9TcHVybG9jaz9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Micheal Spurlock</a> returned a kickoff 90 yards for the first kickoff return touchdown (1,865 tries with 140 different players in 498 regular season games) in Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise history, as the Bucs went on to clinch the NFC South.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2008</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true">The turnaround from 2007 helped convince Bucs ownership to re-sign head coach <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jon%20Gruden%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jon%20Gruden%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJon%20Gruden%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Jon_Gruden" title="Jon Gruden">Jon Gruden</a> and general manager Bruce Allen through the 2011 season. Although the team would lose many of its peripheral players, it would retain its core for the 2008 season. The Bucs didn't make it to the playoffs that year after losing the last 4 games in a row.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2009-2011: The Rahiem Morris Era</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true">In January 2009 the Buccaneers fired <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jon%20Gruden%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jon%20Gruden%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJon%20Gruden%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Jon_Gruden" title="Jon Gruden">Jon Gruden</a> and made <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Raheem%20Morris%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Raheem%20Morris%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BRaheem%20Morris%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Raheem_Morris" title="Raheem Morris">Raheem Morris</a> the head coach after having just named Morris the replacement of <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Monte%20Kiffin%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Monte%20Kiffin%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMonte%20Kiffin%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Monte Kiffin (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTW9udGVfS2lmZmluP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Monte Kiffin</a> as defensive coordinator. <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Bruce%20Allen%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Bruce%20Allen%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBruce%20Allen%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Bruce Allen (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQnJ1Y2VfQWxsZW4/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Bruce Allen</a> was also let go, with <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Mark%20Dominik%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Mark%20Dominik%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMark%20Dominik%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Mark Dominik (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTWFya19Eb21pbmlrP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Mark Dominik</a> his successor as general manager. On February 25, the Bucs released veterans <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Derrick%20Brooks%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Derrick%20Brooks%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDerrick%20Brooks%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Derrick_Brooks" title="Derrick Brooks">Derrick Brooks</a>, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Warrick%20Dunn%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Warrick%20Dunn%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BWarrick%20Dunn%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Warrick Dunn (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvV2Fycmlja19EdW5uP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Warrick Dunn</a>, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Joey%20Galloway%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Joey%20Galloway%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJoey%20Galloway%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Joey_Galloway" title="Joey Galloway">Joey Galloway</a>, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Ike%20Hilliard%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Ike%20Hilliard%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BIke%20Hilliard%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Ike Hilliard (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSWtlX0hpbGxpYXJkP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Ike Hilliard</a>, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jeff%20Garcia%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jeff%20Garcia%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJeff%20Garcia%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Jeff_Garcia" title="Jeff Garcia">Jeff Garcia</a>, and <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Cato%20June%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Cato%20June%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCato%20June%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Cato_June" title="Cato June">Cato June</a>.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3E%5Bhttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fblogs.tampabay.com%5C%2Fbucs%5C%2F2009%5C%2F02%5C%2Fbucs-release--1.html%20Bucs%20release%20Brooks%2C%20Dunn%2C%20Galloway%2C%20Hilliard%2C%20June%5D%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-0" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-0 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000001-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E1%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000002-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-0%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-0%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22171%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E1%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22172%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-0"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>1<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> They traded for tight end <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Kellen%20Winslow%20Jr.%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Kellen%20Winslow%20Jr.%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BKellen%20Winslow%20Jr.%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Kellen Winslow Jr. (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvS2VsbGVuX1dpbnNsb3dfSnIuP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Kellen Winslow Jr.</a> on February 27 for a 2nd round pick in the 2009 draft, and a 5th round draft pick in 2010. They signed running back <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Derrick%20Ward%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Derrick%20Ward%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDerrick%20Ward%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Derrick Ward (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvRGVycmlja19XYXJkP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Derrick Ward</a>, from the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22New%20York%20Giants%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22New%20York%20Giants%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNew%20York%20Giants%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/New_York_Giants" title="New York Giants">New York Giants</a>, to a four-year, $17 million contract. They signed quarterback <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Byron%20Leftwich%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Byron%20Leftwich%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BByron%20Leftwich%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Byron_Leftwich" title="Byron Leftwich">Byron Leftwich</a> to a two-year deal. They drafted <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Kansas%20State%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Kansas%20State%20Wildcats%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BKansas%20State%20Wildcats%7CKansas%20State%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Kansas_State_Wildcats" title="Kansas State Wildcats">Kansas State</a> quarterback <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Josh%20Freeman%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Josh%20Freeman%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJosh%20Freeman%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Josh Freeman (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSm9zaF9GcmVlbWFuP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Josh Freeman</a> 17th overall in the first round of the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%222009%20NFL%20Draft%22%2C%22link%22%3A%222009%20NFL%20Draft%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B2009%20NFL%20Draft%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/2009_NFL_Draft" title="2009 NFL Draft">2009 NFL Draft</a>. 2009 was one of the Bucs' worst years in recent memory. They started the season 0–7, behind veteran quarterback <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Byron%20Leftwich%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Byron%20Leftwich%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BByron%20Leftwich%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Byron_Leftwich" title="Byron Leftwich">Byron Leftwich</a> for the first three games, and <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Josh%20Johnson%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Josh%20Johnson%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJosh%20Johnson%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Josh Johnson (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSm9zaF9Kb2huc29uP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Josh Johnson</a>, who had never made an appearance in an NFL game prior to the season, for the next four. Following their bye week, Tampa Bay made another quarterback switch, this time to <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Josh%20Freeman%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Josh%20Freeman%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJosh%20Freeman%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Josh Freeman (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSm9zaF9GcmVlbWFuP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Josh Freeman</a>. Freeman's first career start resulted in the team's first win of the season, a comeback win in which Freeman threw for two touchdown passes in the final quarter. Freeman remained the starting quarterback for the rest of the season, but the team won only two more games. Finishing 3–13, it was their worst record since 1991.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">In 2010, the Buccaneers surprised everyone by producing the greatest single-season turnaround in franchise history, going 10–6.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite%20web%20%7Curl%3Dhttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.tboblogs.com%5C%2Findex.php%5C%2Fsports%5C%2Fcomments%5C%2Fbucs-reward-morris-for-turnaround-season%20%7Ctitle%3DBucs%20reward%20Morris%20for%20turnaround%20season%20%7Cauthor%3DRoy%20Cummings%20%7Cdate%3DJanuary%208%2C%202011%20%7Cwork%3DTampa%20Tribune%20%7Caccessdate%3DFebruary%204%2C%202011%7D%7D%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-1" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-1 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000004-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E2%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000005-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-1%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-1%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22177%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E2%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22178%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-1"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>2<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> This was largely made possible by the breakout performances of second-year quarterback Josh Freeman, rookie receiver <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Mike%20Williams%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Mike%20Williams%20%28wide%20receiver%2C%20born%201987%29%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMike%20Williams%20%28wide%20receiver%2C%20born%201987%29%7CMike%20Williams%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Mike_Williams_(wide_receiver,_born_1987)" title="Mike Williams (wide receiver, born 1987)">Mike Williams</a>, and undrafted rookie running back <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22LeGarrette%20Blount%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22LeGarrette%20Blount%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BLeGarrette%20Blount%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/LeGarrette_Blount" title="LeGarrette Blount">LeGarrette Blount</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">Freeman started all 16 games, throwing for 3,451 yards while completing 61.4% of his throws.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3Ehttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fsports.espn.go.com%5C%2Fnfl%5C%2Fplayers%5C%2Fprofile%3FplayerId%3D12473%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-2" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-2 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000007-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E3%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000008-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-2%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-2%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22183%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E3%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22184%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-2"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>3<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> He also had the ninth best TD/INT ratio in NFL history, throwing 25 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite%20web%20%7Curl%3Dhttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.tampabay.com%5C%2Fblogs%5C%2Fbucs%5C%2Fcontent%5C%2Ffreemans-season-9th-all-time-tdint-ratio-dominik-he-franchise-quarterback%20%7Ctitle%3DFreeman%27s%20season%209th%20all-time%20in%20TD%5C%2FINT%20ratio%3B%20Dominik%3A%20%5C%22He%20is%20a%20franchise%20quarterback%5C%22%20%7Cauthor%3DRick%20Stroud%20%7Cdate%3DJanuary%203%2C%202011%20%7Cwork%3D%5B%5BSt.%20Petersburg%20Times%5D%5D%20%7Caccessdate%3DFebruary%204%2C%202011%7D%7D%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-3" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-3 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-0000000A-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E4%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-0000000B-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-3%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-3%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22189%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E4%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22190%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-3"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>4<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> Williams, who was drafted by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2010 draft, caught 65 receptions for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3Ehttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fsports.espn.go.com%5C%2Fnfl%5C%2Fplayers%5C%2Fprofile%3FplayerId%3D13489%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-4" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-4 class=reference"><a 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data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-4"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>5<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> His 11 touchdowns were also a Buccaneers franchise record for all receivers.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%20name%3D%5C%22On%20The%20Record%5C%22%3E%7B%7Bcite%20web%20%7Curl%3Dhttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fwww.buccaneers.com%5C%2Fnews%5C%2Farticle-1%5C%2FOn-the-Record%5C%2Fdb19b9a2-bba1-438c-a76f-873b107f0aa2%20%7Ctitle%3DOn%20the%20Record%20%7Cdate%3DJanuary%2017%2C%202011%20%7Cwork%3DTampa%20Bay%20Buccaneers%20%7Caccessdate%3DFebruary%204%2C%202011%7D%7D%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-On_The_Record_5-0" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-On_The_Record_5-0 class=reference"><a 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data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-On_The_Record-5"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>6<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> LeGarrette Blount rushed for 1,007 yards and 6 touchdowns, becoming only the second undrafted rookie in NFL history to break the 1,000 yard mark.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%20name%3D%5C%22On%20The%20Record%5C%22%20%5C%2F%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-On_The_Record_5-1" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-On_The_Record_5-1 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000013-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E6%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000014-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-On_The_Record-5%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-On_The_Record-5%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22207%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E6%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22208%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-On_The_Record-5"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>6<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> He accomplished this despite not seeing significant playing time until Week 7.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3Ehttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fsports.espn.go.com%5C%2Fnfl%5C%2Fplayers%5C%2Fprofile%3FplayerId%3D13213%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-6" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-6 class=reference"><a 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data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-6"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>7<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span>
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">On the one hand, they achieved double-digit wins just one season after finishing last in their division. On the other hand, they ended up outside the playoff race despite their 10 wins. Unfortunately, they lost a close game against the non-playoff <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Detroit%20Lions%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Detroit%20Lions%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDetroit%20Lions%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Detroit_Lions" title="Detroit Lions">Detroit Lions</a> which ended up hurting them in the end as they would have made the playoffs as a <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22wild%20card%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22wild%20card%20%28sports%29%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5Bwild%20card%20%28sports%29%7Cwild%20card%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Wild card (sports) (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvV2lsZF9jYXJkXyhzcG9ydHMpP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">wild card</a> in place of the eventual <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Super%20Bowl%20XLV%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Super%20Bowl%20XLV%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSuper%20Bowl%20XLV%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLV" title="Super Bowl XLV">Super Bowl XLV</a> champion <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Green%20Bay%20Packers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Green%20Bay%20Packers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BGreen%20Bay%20Packers%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers" title="Green Bay Packers">Green Bay Packers</a>.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite%20web%20%7Curl%3Dhttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fthesportsgeeks.com%5C%2F2011%5C%2F01%5C%2F03%5C%2Fwinning-the-games-youre-scheduled-to-play-an-analysis-of-the-2010-nfl-strength-of-schedule%20%7Ctitle%3DWinning%20the%20Games%20You%27re%20Scheduled%20to%20Play%20%7Cauthor%3DBrian%20P%20%7Cdate%3DJanuary%203%2C%202011%20%7Caccessdate%3DNovember%2014%2C2011%7D%7D%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-7" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-7 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000019-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E8%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-0000001A-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-7%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-7%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22219%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E8%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22220%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-7"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>8<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> The Buccaneers' schedule on their way to a 10-win season was also under debate, as their combined opponent win percentage was 0.477, good for 11th easiest in the league that season.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite%20web%20%7Curl%3Dhttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fthesportsgeeks.com%5C%2F2011%5C%2F01%5C%2F03%5C%2Fwinning-the-games-youre-scheduled-to-play-an-analysis-of-the-2010-nfl-strength-of-schedule%20%7Ctitle%3DWinning%20the%20Games%20You%27re%20Scheduled%20to%20Play%20%7Cauthor%3DBrian%20P%20%7Cdate%3DJanuary%203%2C%202011%20%7Caccessdate%3DNovember%2014%2C2011%7D%7D%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-8" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-8 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-0000001C-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E9%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-0000001D-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-8%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-8%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22225%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E9%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22226%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-8"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>9<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> This was partly a result of playing the entirety of the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22NFC%20West%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22NFC%20West%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNFC%20West%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/NFC_West" title="NFC West">NFC West</a>, which had a combined record of 25-39<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3Ehttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fespn.go.com%5C%2Fnfl%5C%2Fstandings%5C%2F_%5C%2Fyear%5C%2F2010%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-9" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-9 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-0000001F-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E10%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000020-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-9%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-9%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22231%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E10%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22232%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-9"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>10<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> and whose division winner, the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Seattle%20Seahawks%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Seattle%20Seahawks%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSeattle%20Seahawks%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Seattle_Seahawks" title="Seattle Seahawks">Seattle Seahawks</a>, ended their own season with a losing record of 7-9.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3Ehttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fespn.go.com%5C%2Fnfl%5C%2Fstandings%5C%2F_%5C%2Fyear%5C%2F2010%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-10" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-10 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000022-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E11%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000023-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-10%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-10%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22237%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E11%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22238%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-10"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>11<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span> In comparison, the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Cincinnati%20Bengals%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Cincinnati%20Bengals%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCincinnati%20Bengals%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Cincinnati_Bengals" title="Cincinnati Bengals">Cincinnati Bengals</a>, who had the toughest 2010 schedule, had a combined opponent win percentage of .582.<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cref%3E%7B%7Bcite%20web%20%7Curl%3Dhttp%3A%5C%2F%5C%2Fthesportsgeeks.com%5C%2F2011%5C%2F01%5C%2F03%5C%2Fwinning-the-games-youre-scheduled-to-play-an-analysis-of-the-2010-nfl-strength-of-schedule%20%7Ctitle%3DWinning%20the%20Games%20You%27re%20Scheduled%20to%20Play%20%7Cauthor%3DBrian%20P%20%7Cdate%3DJanuary%203%2C%202011%20%7Caccessdate%3DNovember%2014%2C2011%7D%7D%3C%5C%2Fref%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22ref%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false"><sup data-rte-washtml="1" id="cite_ref-11" class="reference" data-rte-attribs=" id=cite_ref-11 class=reference"><a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255B%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000025-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E12%3Cspan%20data-rte-instance%3D%5C%2258596-1505979055f041a2802667%5C%22%20data-rte-meta%3D%5C%22%257B%2522type%2522%253A%2522ext%2522%252C%2522wikitext%2522%253A%2522%253Cnowiki%253E%255D%253C%255C%252Fnowiki%253E%2522%252C%2522lineStart%2522%253A%2522%2522%252C%2522placeholder%2522%253A1%252C%2522extName%2522%253A%2522nowiki%2522%257D%5C%22%20class%3D%5C%22placeholder%20placeholder-ext%5C%22%20contenteditable%3D%5C%22false%5C%22%3E%7F%27%5C%22%60UNIQ5d54c36b419864cd-nowiki-00000026-QINU%60%5C%22%27%7F%26%23x0200B%3B%3C%5C%2Fspan%3E%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22%23cite_note-11%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5B%23cite_note-11%7C%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22243%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E12%3Cext%20_rte_wikitextidx%3D%5C%22244%5C%22%3E%3Cname%3Enowiki%3C%5C%2Fname%3E%3Cattr%3E%3C%5C%2Fattr%3E%3Cinner%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Finner%3E%3Cclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%3C%5C%2Fclose%3E%3C%5C%2Fext%3E%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="#cite_note-11"><span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5B%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">[&#x200b;</span>12<span data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22ext%22%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%3Cnowiki%3E%5D%3C%5C%2Fnowiki%3E%22%2C%22lineStart%22%3A%22%22%2C%22placeholder%22%3A1%2C%22extName%22%3A%22nowiki%22%7D" class="placeholder placeholder-ext" contenteditable="false">]&#x200b;</span></a></sup>&#x200b;</span>
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">The Buccaneers would begin the 2011 season with high hopes after adding several key defensive players through the draft. After a 4-2 start however, the Buccaneers, would collapse by losing 10 games in a row and finishing the season 4-12. Quarterback <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Josh%20Freeman%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Josh%20Freeman%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJosh%20Freeman%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Josh Freeman (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSm9zaF9GcmVlbWFuP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Josh Freeman</a> would go onto have his worst statistical year since being drafted and the Buccaneers defensive squad would struggle due to several mediocre performances and a variety of injuries/losses of key players such as defensive tackle <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Gerald%20McCoy%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Gerald%20McCoy%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BGerald%20McCoy%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Gerald McCoy (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvR2VyYWxkX01jQ295P2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Gerald McCoy</a>, linebacker <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Quincy%20Black%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Quincy%20Black%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BQuincy%20Black%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Quincy Black (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvUXVpbmN5X0JsYWNrP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Quincy Black</a>, in addition to safeties <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Cody%20Grimm%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Cody%20Grimm%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCody%20Grimm%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Cody_Grimm" title="Cody Grimm">Cody Grimm</a> and <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Tanard%20Jackson%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Tanard%20Jackson%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BTanard%20Jackson%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Tanard Jackson (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvVGFuYXJkX0phY2tzb24/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Tanard Jackson</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">Once the regular season ended January 2nd, the Buccaneers fired Head Coach <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Raheem%20Morris%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Raheem%20Morris%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BRaheem%20Morris%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Raheem_Morris" title="Raheem Morris">Raheem Morris</a>, offensive coordinator <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Greg%20Olson%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Greg%20Olson%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BGreg%20Olson%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Greg Olson (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvR3JlZ19PbHNvbj9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Greg Olson</a> and the rest of his corresponding staff.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">2012: "The Buccaneer Way"</h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true">Almost three weeks after letting go of <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Raheem%20Morris%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Raheem%20Morris%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BRaheem%20Morris%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Raheem_Morris" title="Raheem Morris">Raheem Morris</a>, the Buccaneers announced the hiring of <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Rutgers%27s%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Rutgers%20Scarlet%20Knights%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BRutgers%20Scarlet%20Knights%7CRutgers%27s%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Rutgers_Scarlet_Knights" title="Rutgers Scarlet Knights">Rutgers's</a> <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Greg%20Schiano%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Greg%20Schiano%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BGreg%20Schiano%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Greg_Schiano" title="Greg Schiano">Greg Schiano</a> as their new Head Coach. Thanks to his introductory conference in which he stated "There will be Buccaneer men, and there will be a Buccaneer Way", the phrase "The Buccaneer way" has become almost a slogan among fans and the local media for his new tenure as head coach of the team.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">A few weeks later, the Buccaneers would then bring along <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22New%20York%20Giants%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22New%20York%20Giants%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNew%20York%20Giants%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/New_York_Giants" title="New York Giants">New York Giants</a> quarterbacks coach <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Mike%20Sullivan%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Mike%20Sullivan%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMike%20Sullivan%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Mike Sullivan (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTWlrZV9TdWxsaXZhbj9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Mike Sullivan</a> to fill-in their offensive coordinator position, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Bill%20Sheridan%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Bill%20Sheridan%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBill%20Sheridan%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Bill_Sheridan" title="Bill Sheridan">Bill Sheridan</a> (who also coached for the Giants in 2010) as their defensive coordinator and long time friend of Schiano dating back to his days with the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22University%20of%20Miami%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Miami%20Hurricanes%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMiami%20Hurricanes%7CUniversity%20of%20Miami%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Miami_Hurricanes" title="Miami Hurricanes" class="mw-redirect">University of Miami</a>, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22University%20of%20North%20Carolina%27s%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22North%20Carolina%20Tar%20Heels%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNorth%20Carolina%20Tar%20Heels%7CUniversity%20of%20North%20Carolina%27s%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/North_Carolina_Tar_Heels" title="North Carolina Tar Heels">University of North Carolina's</a> ex-head coach <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Butch%20Davis%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Butch%20Davis%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BButch%20Davis%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Butch Davis (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQnV0Y2hfRGF2aXM/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Butch Davis</a> to fulfill the role of main advisor to the head coach.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">In the first day of the NFL Free Agency period, the Buccaneers would sign two out of the top 3 free agents available: WR <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Vincent%20Jackson%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Vincent%20Jackson%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BVincent%20Jackson%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Vincent_Jackson" title="Vincent Jackson">Vincent Jackson</a>, G <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Carl%20Nicks%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Carl%20Nicks%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BCarl%20Nicks%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Carl Nicks (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQ2FybF9OaWNrcz9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Carl Nicks</a> and alongside them, CB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Eric%20Wright%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Eric%20Wright%20%28cornerback%2C%20born%201985%29%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Afalse%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BEric%20Wright%20%28cornerback%2C%20born%201985%29%7CEric%20Wright%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Eric Wright (cornerback, born 1985) (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvRXJpY19XcmlnaHRfKGNvcm5lcmJhY2ssX2Jvcm5fMTk4NSk/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Eric Wright</a>. The total of $140 million dollars committed to the team during that 24 hour period is considered the largest investment the Glazer family has put into the team going back almost a decade.
</p>
<h3 data-rte-spaces-before="1" data-rte-spaces-after="1" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"> 2013-2015: Lovie Smith and Jason Licht era </h3>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true">On January 1, 2014, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Lovie%20Smith%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Lovie%20Smith%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BLovie%20Smith%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Lovie_Smith" title="Lovie Smith">Lovie Smith</a> was hired as the new head coach of the Buccaneers, replacing <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Greg%20Schiano%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Greg%20Schiano%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BGreg%20Schiano%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Greg_Schiano" title="Greg Schiano">Greg Schiano</a>. Smith had previously spent 5 seasons with the Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001 coaching the linebackers under <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Tony%20Dungy%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Tony%20Dungy%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BTony%20Dungy%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Tony_Dungy" title="Tony Dungy">Tony Dungy</a>. During his first news conference with the Bucs, Smith talked about restoring the quality of the team from the late 1990s and early 2000s: "There was a certain brand of football you expected from us," Smith said. "You know we would be relentless. There was a brand of football that you got from us each week at Raymond James Stadium. It was hard for opponents to come in and win. We have gotten away from that a little bit, and it’s time ... for us to become a relevant team again."
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">On January 21, 2014, <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jason%20Licht%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jason%20Licht%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJason%20Licht%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Jason Licht (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSmFzb25fTGljaHQ/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Jason Licht</a> was hired as the new general manager, replacing <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Mark%20Dominik%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Mark%20Dominik%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMark%20Dominik%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Mark Dominik (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTWFya19Eb21pbmlrP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Mark Dominik</a>. He was officially introduced at One Buc Place on January 23, 2014. In his first news conference, Licht talked about his philosophy: "Our philosophy is going to be to build through the draft. That's where we find our stars. That's where we find the next generation. But also in the short term and long term we're going to supplement our roster through free agency but we're going to look for value. We're going to spend wisely."
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">After signing veteran free agent <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Josh%20McCown%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Josh%20McCown%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJosh%20McCown%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Josh_McCown" title="Josh McCown">Josh McCown</a> and many more free agents, many analysts predicted that the Buccaneers could be the surprise team of the year and possibly make a playoff run. Those predictions soon went away after the Bucs began the season 0–3, including a 56–14 blowout against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. McCown was injured in that game, and second year quarterback <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Mike%20Glennon%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Mike%20Glennon%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMike%20Glennon%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Mike_Glennon" title="Mike Glennon">Mike Glennon</a> was named the starter. His first start of the 2014 season ended with the Bucs earning their first victory of the season in Pittsburgh against the Steelers 27–24. The Bucs lost the next 4 games, including two overtime losses against the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22New%20Orleans%20Saints%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22New%20Orleans%20Saints%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNew%20Orleans%20Saints%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints" title="New Orleans Saints">New Orleans Saints</a> and the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Minnesota%20Vikings%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Minnesota%20Vikings%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMinnesota%20Vikings%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Minnesota_Vikings" title="Minnesota Vikings">Minnesota Vikings</a>, one blowout against the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Baltimore%20Ravens%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Baltimore%20Ravens%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBaltimore%20Ravens%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens" title="Baltimore Ravens">Baltimore Ravens</a>, and a 5-point loss against the Cleveland Browns. Going into week 10 at 1–8, McCown returned as the starter. Mathematically, the Bucs were still in playoff contention only being 3 games out of first place in the division. McCown's first game back ended with a 27–17 loss to the Falcons but won the following week in a 27–7 blowout against struggling Washington. The Bucs would lose the next three games and were officially knocked out of playoff contention in week 14. The Bucs finished 2–14, winning 2 less games than the previous season and secured the first-overall draft pick for the 2015 NFL draft.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">Despite the team's record, first-round draft pick wide receiver <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Mike%20Evans%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Mike%20Evans%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMike%20Evans%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Mike Evans (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvTWlrZV9FdmFucz9hY3Rpb249ZWRpdCZyZWRsaW5rPTE=">Mike Evans</a> had more than 1,000 receiving yards  and he became the youngest NFL player to record more than 200 receiving yards in a single game.<sup data-rte-washtml="1">[95]</sup> Vincent Jackson also had more than 1,000 yards receiving, which represented Tampa Bay's first pair of 1,000 yard receivers in a season. Second-year CB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Johnathan%20Banks%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Johnathan%20Banks%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJohnathan%20Banks%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Johnathan Banks (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSm9obmF0aGFuX0JhbmtzP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Johnathan Banks</a> led the team with 4 interceptions and has 50 tackles. <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Danny%20Lansanah%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Danny%20Lansanah%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDanny%20Lansanah%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Danny Lansanah (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvRGFubnlfTGFuc2FuYWg/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Danny Lansanah</a> flourished in the Tampa 2 system with 81 tackles, 1.5 QB sacks, and 3 interceptions, with 2 of those interceptions returned for touchdowns for the 2014 season. <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jacquies%20Smith%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jacquies%20Smith%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJacquies%20Smith%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Jacquies Smith (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSmFjcXVpZXNfU21pdGg/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Jacquies Smith</a>, who was signed from Buffalo after waiving rookie DE Scott Solomon a month into the season, had 17 combined tackles, 13 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble in only 8 starts for 2014.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">In December 2014, a report surfaced that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used homeless people to sell beer and did not pay them.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">After the conclusion of the 2014 season, Tampa Bay hired Ben Steele to become the team's new offensive quality control coach as well as former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Dirk%20Koetter%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Dirk%20Koetter%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDirk%20Koetter%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Dirk Koetter (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvRGlya19Lb2V0dGVyP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Dirk Koetter</a> to be their new offensive coordinator after parting ways with QB coach and interim offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo. Having a 2–14 record, tied for the worst record in the NFL in 2014, Tampa gained the first-overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. They also made some headlines when they released QB Josh McCown on February 11, 2015, to save $5.25 million in cap space. With the first overall pick in the NFL draft, the Buccaneers selected Jameis Winston from Florida State. Throughout the off-season, there was much debate whether the Buccaneers should pick Winston or Oregon QB <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Marcus%20Mariota%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Marcus%20Mariota%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BMarcus%20Mariota%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Marcus_Mariota" title="Marcus Mariota">Marcus Mariota</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">On January 6, 2016, Smith was fired by the Buccaneers after posting a record of 8–24 in his two seasons, including a 6–10 record in the 2015 season
</p>
<h4 data-rte-spaces-before="1" data-rte-spaces-after="1" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"> 2016–2018: Dirk Koetter era </h4>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true">On January 15, 2016, Dirk Koetter was promoted from offensive coordinator to become the new head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">The teams' record sat at 3-5 following a blowout loss to the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Atlanta%20Falcons%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Atlanta%20Falcons%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BAtlanta%20Falcons%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Atlanta_Falcons" title="Atlanta Falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> in a nationally televised Thursday Night Football matchup. Playoff chances grew increasingly more unlikely. However, following the loss, the Buccaneers rattled off five straight victories, the longest winning streak since the 2002 season. During the streak, the Buccaneers earned upset victories over the heavily favored <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Kansas%20City%20Chiefs%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Kansas%20City%20Chiefs%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BKansas%20City%20Chiefs%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Kansas_City_Chiefs" title="Kansas City Chiefs">Kansas City Chiefs</a> and <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Seattle%20Seahawks%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Seattle%20Seahawks%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSeattle%20Seahawks%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Seattle_Seahawks" title="Seattle Seahawks">Seattle Seahawks</a>. The Buccaneers ended their 2016 season with a 9–7 record, but lost the NFC's sixth seed to the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Detroit%20Lions%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Detroit%20Lions%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDetroit%20Lions%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Detroit_Lions" title="Detroit Lions">Detroit Lions</a> due to tiebreakers.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">On March 9, 2017, the Buccaneers signed former <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Washington%20Redskins%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Washington%20Redskins%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BWashington%20Redskins%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Washington_Redskins" title="Washington Redskins">Washington Redskins</a> wide receiver <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22DeSean%20Jackson%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22DeSean%20Jackson%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BDeSean%20Jackson%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/DeSean_Jackson" title="DeSean Jackson">DeSean Jackson</a>, defensive tackle <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Chris%20Baker%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Chris%20Baker%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BChris%20Baker%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Chris Baker (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQ2hyaXNfQmFrZXI/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Chris Baker</a>, former Dallas Cowboys safety <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22J.%20J.%20Wilcox%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22J.%20J.%20Wilcox%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJ.%20J.%20Wilcox%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="J. J. Wilcox (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvSi5fSi5fV2lsY294P2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">J. J. Wilcox</a> (traded to <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Pittsburgh%20Steelers%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Pittsburgh%20Steelers%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BPittsburgh%20Steelers%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Pittsburgh_Steelers" title="Pittsburgh Steelers">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>), former New York Jets kicker <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Nick%20Folk%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Nick%20Folk%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNick%20Folk%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Nick_Folk" title="Nick Folk">Nick Folk</a>, and veteran quarterback <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Ryan%20Fitzpatrick%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Ryan%20Fitzpatrick%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BRyan%20Fitzpatrick%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Ryan_Fitzpatrick" title="Ryan Fitzpatrick">Ryan Fitzpatrick</a>.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">They were hampered with poor performance and an early kicking situation, as they failed to improve or match their 9–7 record from the previous season. After a loss to the Detroit Lions, they were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs with a 4–9 record. The Bucs finished the season 5-11. This was their tenth consecutive season without a playoff appearance, with their last being in the 2007 season. Also, the Bucs finished last in the NFC South for the seventh time in nine seasons.
</p><p data-rte-fromparser="true" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1">The Bucs began the 2018 season 2–0 for the first time since the 2010 season. Journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick started the first two games after <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Jameis%20Winston%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Jameis%20Winston%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BJameis%20Winston%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Jameis_Winston" title="Jameis Winston">Jameis Winston</a> was suspended during the off-season for the first three games. Fitzpatrick threw for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns in the two-game winning streak, coming against the Saints (the eventual NFC South winner) and the Eagles (the defending <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Super%20Bowl%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Super%20Bowl%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BSuper%20Bowl%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Super_Bowl" title="Super Bowl">Super Bowl</a> champions). Fitzpatrick would continue the success in week 3's Monday night game against the Steelers, throwing for another 400 yards and becoming the first player in NFL history to throw for 400 or more yards in three consecutive games. After Winston's suspension was up following the Monday Night game, Fitzpatrick remained the starter for week 4's matchup against the Bears. Fitzpatrick struggled and was benched after halftime for Winston. Winston returned as the starter in week 6. Despite the quarterback controversy, the Bucs had a top 3 offense, averaging 27.8 points during the first six games. However, their defense continued to struggle. After week 6's loss to the Falcons, defensive coordinator Mike Smith was fired and linebackers coach Mark Duffner was named the interim defensive coordinator. After a close overtime win against the Browns, Winston threw four interceptions against the Bengals the following week. After returning from suspension, Winston threw at least two interceptions per game, and due to that, Fitzpatrick was once again named the starter in week 9. Fitzpatrick, again, struggled, and Winston was renamed the starter for week 12's game against the 49ers. Winston improved, and the team won two straight. However, they dropped their last four games. After a second consecutive last-place season where the team finished with a 5–11 record, Koetter was fired.
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<h4 data-rte-spaces-before="1" data-rte-spaces-after="1" data-rte-empty-lines-before="1"> 2019–present: Bruce Arians era </h4>
<p data-rte-fromparser="true">Following the termination of Dirk Koetter, the Buccaneers named <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Bruce%20Arians%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Bruce%20Arians%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BBruce%20Arians%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Bruce Arians (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvQnJ1Y2VfQXJpYW5zP2FjdGlvbj1lZGl0JnJlZGxpbms9MQ==">Bruce Arians</a> as the twelfth head coach in franchise history on January 8, 2019. Arians had been out of coaching for a year, having retired in 2017 after five seasons as head coach of the <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Arizona%20Cardinals%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Arizona%20Cardinals%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BArizona%20Cardinals%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Arizona_Cardinals" title="Arizona Cardinals">Arizona Cardinals</a>. Because Arians was still under contract with the Cardinals through the end of the 2019 season, Tampa Bay agreed to give the Cardinals a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft for the rights to Arians, as well as receiving Arizona's seventh-round pick in the same draft. On the same day it was reported the Bucs would also bring <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Byron%20Leftwich%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Byron%20Leftwich%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BByron%20Leftwich%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/Byron_Leftwich" title="Byron Leftwich">Byron Leftwich</a> onto the staff from the Cardinals as offensive coordinator. The next day the Buccaneers announced the hiring of former <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22New%20York%20Jets%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22New%20York%20Jets%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BNew%20York%20Jets%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" href="/wiki/New_York_Jets" title="New York Jets">New York Jets</a> head coach <a data-rte-meta="%7B%22type%22%3A%22internal%22%2C%22text%22%3A%22Todd%20Bowles%22%2C%22link%22%3A%22Todd%20Bowles%22%2C%22wasblank%22%3Atrue%2C%22noforce%22%3Atrue%2C%22wikitext%22%3A%22%5B%5BTodd%20Bowles%5D%5D%22%7D" data-rte-instance="58596-1505979055f041a2802667" class="new" title="Todd Bowles (page does not exist)" rel="nofollow" data-uncrawlable-url="L3dpa2kvVG9kZF9Cb3dsZXM/YWN0aW9uPWVkaXQmcmVkbGluaz0x">Todd Bowles</a> as Defensive Coordinator
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