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Team History
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began in 1976 as a team with hope. The Bucs won the NFC Central in 1979 and 1981. Quarterback Doug Williams and running back Ricky Bell led the offense and defensive end Lee Roy Selmon led a powerful defense. The Bucs had a deep playoff run in 1979, reaching the NFC Championship game before being defeated by the Rams 9-0.
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The Buccaneers then fell from grace and failed to produce a winning season until 1997. A new coach and a new defensive strategy took Tampa Bay from league joke to league powerhouse. Tony Dungy took over the Bucs in 1997 and immediately began collecting players for a defense built on speed.
Tampa Bay and the vaunted Cover-2 defense would not fall below .500 from 1997 to 2002 as a result. Defensive stars like Warren Sapp and Simeon Rice rushed the passer, line backer Derrick Brooks patrolled the middle of the field, and Dexter Jackson read the quarterback from his safety position.
Dungy was released after another playoff loss in 2001, and replaced by Jon Gruden, an offensive genius from the Oakland Raiders. Gruden solved the stagnant Tampa Bay offense and took the pre-built team to the 2003 Super Bowl, where they defeated the Oakland Raiders 48-21.
The Bucs have produced up and down seasons since its Super Bowl year, threatening to go from first to worst or worst to first every year.
The Bucs once again took the NFC South last season, but with a record of 9-7. The offense struggled for consistency, but always seemed to come up big when needed with quarterback Jeff Garcia. The Bucs have added to the running back position after Ernest Graham held it down last season. Michael Bennett and Warrick Dunn will compete for the starting spot.
Tampa Bay picked up some more defensive players to strengthen its already strong defense, signing defensive back Eugene Wilson, defensive end Marquis Douglas, and linebacker Teddy Lehman. The 20th draft pick in the draft will likely be use to bolster the receiving corps or pick up a return specialist.
The Buccaneers look to repeat in the NFC South as champions again, with an easy division schedule that only has the Saints as a possible threat. Raymond James Stadium should see some playoff football as Jeff Garcia starts his second season at quarterback with his knack for big plays.