2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
Encyclopedia
The 2003
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
season began with the team trying to defend its Super Bowl XXXVII
title of 2002
. Despite high expectations, several last-minute losses led to locker room tension and front-office struggles. The Buccaneers finished 7-9, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998
. Combined with the Oakland Raiders
' dismal 4-12 performance, neither Super Bowl team reached the playoffs that year.
Rich McKay. McKay was a major architect of the Buccaneers rebuilding effort over the previous ten years, and he, like Gruden, had long-established ties to the Tampa Bay-area. However, as the 2003 season wore on, Gruden/McKay relationship deteriorated as the Buccaneers struggled on the field. In November, Keyshawn Johnson
was deactivated by the team ten games into the season for his conduct, which included sideline arguments with coaches and players. Johnson was eventually traded to the Dallas Cowboys
for wide receiver Joey Galloway
.
Along with the Johnson
de-activation, injuries sidelined several players during the season. The starting roster from Opening Day looked drastically different come November, particularly on offense. Opening day starters such as Mike Alstott
, Brian Kelly, Greg Spires
, and Kenyatta Walker
, along with Joe Jurevicius
, John Howell, Tim Wansley
, Darian Barnes
, Ellis Wyms
all ended up on injured reserve. By Thanksgiving, the starting running back became lesser-known Thomas Jones, with on-again, off-again third-string receiver Charles Lee
elevated to starter. Though quarterback Brad Johnson
started all 16 games - a feat not accomplished by him in the Buccaneers Super Bowl season the previous year - he was benched while losing in the final week during a "meaningless" game against Tenneesee.
In December, the Glazers allowed McKay to leave the Buccaneers organization before the end of the regular season. He promptly joined the Atlanta Falcons
as president and general manager. Thus, McKay watched his first game as a Falcons executive sitting next to owner Arthur Blank in a Raymond James Stadium
skybox in December 2003. The Falcons defeated the Buccaneers 30-28.
in Tokyo, Japan. Despite the busy preseason
, the Buccaneers finished their exhibition games 4-1.
, against the Eagles
, at the new Lincoln Financial Field
. It was a rematch of the previous season's NFC Championship. The Buccaneers impressively beat the Eagles 17-0. Joe Jurevicius
led the team with two touchdown catches. His second came via a "circus catch" in which he tipped the ball up into the air, rebounding it to himself, and making the reception.
turned into an embarrassment. A defensive-oriented game saw young Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme
held to only 9-for-23, 96 yards and two interceptions. Meanwhile, Brad Johnson
threw for 339 yards. Unfortunately, special teams breakdowns cost the team dearly. Contributing to the frustrating day, the Buccaneers committed 17 penalties for 168 yards.
After two earlier botched field goal attempts, the Buccaneers trailed 9-3 late in the fourth quarter. On the last play of regulation, Brad Johnson
connected to Keenan McCardell
for a dramatic game-tying touchdown pass in the back of the endzone time expired. The extra point would have given Tampa Bay the win. Martin Gramatica
's extra point attempt, however, was blocked. The game went to overtime tied 9-9.
Both teams traded possessions, and with just over 6 minutes left in the overtime period, Tampa Bay punted to Carolina. Steve Smith returned the punt 52 yards to the Tampa Bay 40 yard line. Five plays later, Carolina won 12-9 after a 47-yard field goal.
quarterback Michael Vick
was sidelined due to an injury in the preseason. Doug Johnson took over, and the Buccaneers dominated. They held Doug Johnson to only 95 passing yards, and three interceptions. His fourth quarter replacement, Kurt Kittner
did not fare any better.
The Tampa Bay offense rebounded with Warren Sapp
playing tight end and scoring his first career offensive touchdown catch. Mike Alstott
put the game well out of reach with two third quarter touchdown runs.
on Monday Night Football
. It marked former coach Tony Dungy
's return to Tampa Bay, and he was well-received by fans. During pre-game warm-ups, Warren Sapp
stirred up controversy when he skipped through the Colts players, who were spread out over the field stretching. It was Sapp's second such "skipping" incident (the first in 2002 against the Steelers), and he drew considerable criticism.
Most of the game was one-sided, with the Buccaneers dominating the first half. On the first play of their second drive, Brad Johnson
connected with Keenan McCardell
for a 74-yard touchdown, and a 7-0 lead. On the next drive, at their own 33 yard line, Johnson
was intercepted by Mike Doss
at the Colts 41 yard line. Doss, however, was tackled by John Wade, who punched the ball out and forced a fumble. The ball bounced into the hands of Keenan McCardell
, and McCardell ran 57 yards for an improbable fumble recovery touchdown and a 14-0 score. Tampa Bay entered halftime leading 21–0.
With 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, Ronde Barber
intercepted Peyton Manning
and returned the ball 29 yards for a touchdown, and put the Buccaneers up 35–14.
With most of the fans beginning to head for the exits, Indianapolis started an improbable rally. Tampa Bay kicked off, and the ball was returned 90 yards to the 11 yard line. Four plays later, with 3:37 remaining, Indianapolis scored a touchdown on a fourth-down play, to narrow the lead to 35–21. Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt
then attempted an onside kick
, which sailed airborne and was caught by Colts safety Idrees Bashir
at their own 42 yard line. It was later determined by NFL officials that the onside kick was recovered illegally, since it never touched the ground, nor was touched by a Tampa Bay player. The critical error by the officiating crew led by referee Johnny Grier
was overlooked, and the game continued.
The Colts scored another touchdown, and narrowed the margin 35-28. Another onside kick attempt was made, but this time it was recovered by Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay attempted to run the clock down to the two-minute warning, but a personal foul by Kenyatta Walker
stopped the clock at 2:04 remaining. The Buccaneers were forced to punt with 1:48 to go. Manning then led the Colts on an 87-yard touchdown drive to tie the score 35–35 with 0:35 remaining. In overtime, kicker Mike Vanderjagt
missed a 40-yard field goal
, but umpire Ed Coukart
called a penalty on Simeon Rice
for leaping, a rarely-seen unsportsmanlike conduct infraction for running and jumping to block a kick and landing on other players. Vanderjagt's subsequent kick was batted and hit the upright, but fell in good, winning the game for the Colts.
It was the largest comeback in NFL history (21 points) in that little amount of time (under 4 minutes to go). With the game-winning field goal, Vanderjagt went on to become the first kicker in NFL history not to miss a kick attempt in a complete season, including the playoffs.
and Brian Kelly. Before the game, Warren Sapp
was involved in his second "skipping" incident in two weeks, and third overall, as he bumped into an NFL referee. The incident drew a $50,000 fine.
Despite the growing trouble, the Buccaneers managed to beat Steve Spurrier
's slumping Redskins
. Brad Johnson
threw four touchdown passes, and Derrick Brooks
iced the game with a 44-yard interception return touchdown.
threw three interceptions, and the Buccaneer defense gave up 212 yards rushing, falling to the San Francisco 49ers
. Tampa Bay's only highlight, and only score, was a 75-yard touchdown pass to Keenan McCardell
in the first quarter.
' Dallas Cowboys
by a score of 16-0. The defense forced three turnovers, and held the #4-ranked Dallas offense to just over 200 total yards and no points.
held a 14-0 lead. With under 8 minutes to go in regulation, Brad Johnson
threw two touchdown passes (26 and 30 yards) to Michael Pittman
and Keenan McCardell
to tie the score at 14-14. With 2:08 to go New Orleans took over. The Buccaneer defense failed to hold ground, and the Saints kicked a game-winning field goal with 8 seconds left.
broke out to a 20-7 lead through three quarters. Brad Johnson
led the Buccaneers on a rally, scoring two touchdown passes of 23 yards and 36 yards. One each to Keyshawn Johnson
and Keenan McCardell
, and Tampa Bay took a 21-20 lead with 4:52 remaining.
Two plays later, Tim Wansley
intercepted Jake Delhomme
for the second time in the game. The turnover led to a Martin Gramatica
field goal, and a Tampa Bay lead of 24-20 with 2:45 to go. The Buccaneer defense, however, failed to keep Carolina at bay, and Delhomme swiftly led the Panthers to a game-winning touchdown with 1:11 left.
Early in the fourth quarter, Simeon Rice
sacked Jake Delhomme for a 9-yard loss. It marked the 69th consecutive game the Buccaneer defense registered a quarterback sack
, a new all-time NFL record.
came to town in November, and Tampa Bay appeared to be poised for a win. A 17-play, 98-yard fourth quarter touchdown drive by the Packers wore out a tired Buccaneer defense, and Tampa Bay lost to Green Bay for the first time at Raymond James Stadium
. The loss dropped Tampa Bay to 4-6, and severely hampered their playoff chances.
During the game, Martin Gramatica
became the franchise's all-time scoring leader. One distinction came to an end, however. The Tampa Bay defense had, one week earlier, set the all-time NFL record for consecutive game with a quarterback sack
. They achieved no sacks in this game, and the streak ended at 69 games.
Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson
finished the game with only three catches for 34 yards. He was also heckled and booed by fans during the game. The following day, after several weeks of growing intra-team tension, Johnson was deactivated with pay from the playing roster for the balance of the season.
, Tampa Bay hosted the New York Giants
. Thomas Jones scored early in the second quarter, and Charles Lee
scored a touchdown catch. Just when they though the season was finished a week before, the Buccaneers pulled out an important victory and moved to 5-6, snapping a three-game losing streak.
(who had a 2-9 record going into the game) on Sunday Night Football
saw 80 yards of penalties, turnovers, and blown chances. Tampa Bay fell to 5-7 on the season
, and beat them for the first time since December 2001
. The Tampa Bay defense sacked Aaron Brooks seven times and forced three fumbles, meanwhile running back Deuce McAllister
was held to just 88 yards.
Tampa Bay's offense performed well, with Brad Johnson
throwing two touchdown passes. The second of which was to tight end Warren Sapp
, his second touchdown reception of his career. After losing the ball in the lights, he grabbed it and was able to pull it in as he fell to the turf.
New Orleans was in the game until the waning seconds of the first half. With 1:49 to go in the second quarter, Joe Horn
dropped a sure touchdown pass in the end zone. On the next play, Aaron Brooks was sacked and fumbled. Jermaine Phillips
recovered the fumble, and returned it 20 yards. Tampa Bay took a 14-7 lead into halftime, and neither team scored again.
A couple days after the game, general manager Rich McKay
was released by the team, allowed to pursue work elsewhere.
16-3, and improving to 7-7 on the year. The rainy day saw Thomas Jones take over the primary rushing duties, and run for 134 yards and one score. Warren Sapp
sat out the game with a strained foot, his first game missed in 73 starts.
For the second time in five weeks, the Buccaneer defense ended a long streak. Dating back to October 19, 2000, Tampa Bay had a streak of 54 consecutive games with a turnover (takeaway). Against the Texans, there were no forced turnovers, and the streak fell short of the all-time NFL record (71 by Philadelphia).
With the victory, Tampa Bay improved to 7-7, and were still in the wild card hunt.
.
Just six days before the game, former Buccaneers general manager Rich McKay
was named the president and general manager of the Falcons
. He spent the game in the visitor's press box, and presided over the Falcon's defeat of Tampa Bay.
in a largely meaningless game. Brad Johnson
and Shaun King
shared quarterback duties, but neither seemed able to get into a rhythm, throwing a combined 4 interceptions.
With the loss, Tampa Bay finished 7-9, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998
.
2003 NFL season
-Milestones:The following teams and players set all-time NFL records during the season:-Team:-Individual:-Awards:-External Links:**-References:*NFL Record and Fact Book *...
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
season began with the team trying to defend its Super Bowl XXXVII
Super Bowl XXXVII
Super Bowl XXXVII was an American football game played on January 26, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California to decide the National Football League champion following the 2002 regular season...
title of 2002
2002 NFL season
The 2002 NFL season was the 83rd regular season of the National Football League.The league went back to an even number of teams, expanding to 32 teams with the addition of the Houston Texans. The clubs were then realigned into eight divisions, four teams in each...
. Despite high expectations, several last-minute losses led to locker room tension and front-office struggles. The Buccaneers finished 7-9, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998
1998 NFL season
The 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS...
. Combined with the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
' dismal 4-12 performance, neither Super Bowl team reached the playoffs that year.
Front office tension
Soon after the Super Bowl victory, a growing number of press reports had indicated Gruden's lack of patience with general managerGeneral manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Rich McKay. McKay was a major architect of the Buccaneers rebuilding effort over the previous ten years, and he, like Gruden, had long-established ties to the Tampa Bay-area. However, as the 2003 season wore on, Gruden/McKay relationship deteriorated as the Buccaneers struggled on the field. In November, Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
was deactivated by the team ten games into the season for his conduct, which included sideline arguments with coaches and players. Johnson was eventually traded to the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
for wide receiver Joey Galloway
Joey Galloway
Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...
.
Along with the Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
de-activation, injuries sidelined several players during the season. The starting roster from Opening Day looked drastically different come November, particularly on offense. Opening day starters such as Mike Alstott
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...
, Brian Kelly, Greg Spires
Greg Spires
Gregory Tyrone Spires is an American football who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
, and Kenyatta Walker
Kenyatta Walker
Idrees Kenyatta Walker is a former American college and professional football player who was offensive tackle in the National Football League for six seasons in the early 2000s...
, along with Joe Jurevicius
Joe Jurevicius
Joseph Michael Jurevicius is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State....
, John Howell, Tim Wansley
Tim Wansley
Tim Wansley is a former cornerback in the NFL. He was chosen in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Georgia by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
, Darian Barnes
Darian Barnes
Darian Durrell Barnes is an American football fullback who is currently a member of the Florida Tuskers. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2002...
, Ellis Wyms
Ellis Wyms
Ellis Rashad Wyms is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
all ended up on injured reserve. By Thanksgiving, the starting running back became lesser-known Thomas Jones, with on-again, off-again third-string receiver Charles Lee
Charles Lee (American football)
Charles Lee is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He has played for the Green Bay Packers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Arizona Cardinals....
elevated to starter. Though quarterback Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
started all 16 games - a feat not accomplished by him in the Buccaneers Super Bowl season the previous year - he was benched while losing in the final week during a "meaningless" game against Tenneesee.
In December, the Glazers allowed McKay to leave the Buccaneers organization before the end of the regular season. He promptly joined the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
as president and general manager. Thus, McKay watched his first game as a Falcons executive sitting next to owner Arthur Blank in a Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...
skybox in December 2003. The Falcons defeated the Buccaneers 30-28.
Preseason
A demanding off season was exacerbated by a trip overseas to the American BowlAmerican Bowl
The American Bowl was a series of National Football League pre-season exhibition games that were held at sites outside the United States between 1986 and 2005.- Overview :...
in Tokyo, Japan. Despite the busy preseason
National Football League exhibition season
The National Football League preseason refers to the period each year during which NFL teams play several not-for-the-record exhibition games before the actual "championship" or "regular" season starts. Beginning with the featured Pro Football Hall of Fame game in early August, five weekends of...
, the Buccaneers finished their exhibition games 4-1.
- Buccaneers 30, vs. New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
14 - Buccaneers 20, at DOLPHINSMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
19 - at RAMSSt. Louis RamsThe St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
26, Buccaneers 16 (Monday Night FootballMonday Night FootballMonday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
preseason special) - at BUCCANEERS 10, JaguarsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
6 - at BUCCANEERS 34, TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
3
Regular season schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Results | Stadium | TV Time | Attendance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | September 8, 2003 | at Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 17-0 | 1-0 | Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex... |
ABC 9:00 p.m. | 67,772 | |
| 2 | September 14, 2003 | Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... |
L 12-9 OT | 1-1 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
FOX 4:05 p.m. | 65,621 | |
| 3 | September 21, 2003 | at Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 31-10 | 2-1 | Georgia Dome Georgia Dome The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the... |
FOX 1:00 p.m. | 70,871 | |
| 4 | Bye | |||||||
| 5 | October 6, 2003 | Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
L 38-35 OT | 2-2 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
ABC 9:00 p.m. | 65,647 | |
| 6 | October 12, 2003 | at Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
W 35-12 | 3-2 | FedEx Field | FOX 1:00 p.m. | 85,490 | |
| 7 | October 19, 2003 | at San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and... |
L 24-7 | 3-3 | 3Com Park | FOX 4:15 p.m. | 67,809 | |
| 8 | October 26, 2003 | Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... |
W 16-0 | 4–3 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
FOX 1:00 p.m. | 65,602 | |
| 9 | November 2, 2003 | New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
L 17-14 | 4-4 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
FOX 1:00 p.m. | 65,524 | |
| 10 | November 9, 2003 | at Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion... |
L 27-24 | 4-5 | Ericsson Stadium Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East... |
FOX 1:00 p.m. | 73,245 | |
| 11 | November 16, 2003 | Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... |
L 20-13 | 4-6 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
FOX 4:15 p.m. | 65,614 | |
| 12 | November 24, 2003 | New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 19-13 | 5-6 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
ABC 9:00 p.m. | 65,648 | |
| 13 | November 30, 2003 | at Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 17-10 | 5-7 | Alltel Stadium | ESPN 8:30 p.m. | 60,543 | |
| 14 | December 7, 2003 | at New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League .... |
W 14-7 | 6-7 | Louisiana Superdome | FOX 1:00 p.m. | 68,442 | |
| 15 | December 14, 2003 | Houston Texans Houston Texans The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 16-3 | 7-7 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
CBS 1:00 p.m. | 65,124 | |
| 16 | December 20, 2002 | Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
L 30-28 | 7-8 | Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events... |
FOX 1:30 p.m. | 65,572 | |
| 17 | December 28, 2003 | Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
L 33-13 | 7-9 | The Coliseum LP Field LP Field is a football stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, owned by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County.... |
FOX 1:00 p.m. | 68,809 | |
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles (won 17-0)
The Buccaneers appeared to start the 2003 regular season where they left off. The Buccaneers opened on Monday nightMonday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
, against the Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, at the new Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
. It was a rematch of the previous season's NFC Championship. The Buccaneers impressively beat the Eagles 17-0. Joe Jurevicius
Joe Jurevicius
Joseph Michael Jurevicius is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Penn State....
led the team with two touchdown catches. His second came via a "circus catch" in which he tipped the ball up into the air, rebounding it to himself, and making the reception.
Week 2: Carolina Panthers (lost 9-12)
The Buccaneers home opener against division foe CarolinaCarolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
turned into an embarrassment. A defensive-oriented game saw young Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme
Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
held to only 9-for-23, 96 yards and two interceptions. Meanwhile, Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
threw for 339 yards. Unfortunately, special teams breakdowns cost the team dearly. Contributing to the frustrating day, the Buccaneers committed 17 penalties for 168 yards.
After two earlier botched field goal attempts, the Buccaneers trailed 9-3 late in the fourth quarter. On the last play of regulation, Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
connected to Keenan McCardell
Keenan McCardell
Keenan Wayne McCardell is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and current wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
for a dramatic game-tying touchdown pass in the back of the endzone time expired. The extra point would have given Tampa Bay the win. Martin Gramatica
Martin Gramatica
Martín Gramática is an Argentine-American former football placekicker.Gramática was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft after playing college football at Kansas State, and has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Dallas...
's extra point attempt, however, was blocked. The game went to overtime tied 9-9.
Both teams traded possessions, and with just over 6 minutes left in the overtime period, Tampa Bay punted to Carolina. Steve Smith returned the punt 52 yards to the Tampa Bay 40 yard line. Five plays later, Carolina won 12-9 after a 47-yard field goal.
Week 3: at Atlanta Falcons (won 31-10)
FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback Michael Vick
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
was sidelined due to an injury in the preseason. Doug Johnson took over, and the Buccaneers dominated. They held Doug Johnson to only 95 passing yards, and three interceptions. His fourth quarter replacement, Kurt Kittner
Kurt Kittner
Kurt Kittner is a former American football player for the Chicago Bears. He was a quarterback for the University of Illinois during their 2001 Big Ten Championship.-High school career:...
did not fare any better.
The Tampa Bay offense rebounded with Warren Sapp
Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp is a retired American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year professional career, and college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was then...
playing tight end and scoring his first career offensive touchdown catch. Mike Alstott
Mike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...
put the game well out of reach with two third quarter touchdown runs.
Week 5: Indianapolis Colts (lost 35–38, OT)
On October 6, the Buccaneers hosted the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
. It marked former coach Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy
Anthony Kevin "Tony" Dungy [DUN-jee] is a former professional American football player and coach in the National Football League. Dungy was head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001, and head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2008...
's return to Tampa Bay, and he was well-received by fans. During pre-game warm-ups, Warren Sapp
Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp is a retired American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year professional career, and college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was then...
stirred up controversy when he skipped through the Colts players, who were spread out over the field stretching. It was Sapp's second such "skipping" incident (the first in 2002 against the Steelers), and he drew considerable criticism.
Most of the game was one-sided, with the Buccaneers dominating the first half. On the first play of their second drive, Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
connected with Keenan McCardell
Keenan McCardell
Keenan Wayne McCardell is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and current wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
for a 74-yard touchdown, and a 7-0 lead. On the next drive, at their own 33 yard line, Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
was intercepted by Mike Doss
Mike Doss
Michael Allen Doss is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
at the Colts 41 yard line. Doss, however, was tackled by John Wade, who punched the ball out and forced a fumble. The ball bounced into the hands of Keenan McCardell
Keenan McCardell
Keenan Wayne McCardell is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and current wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
, and McCardell ran 57 yards for an improbable fumble recovery touchdown and a 14-0 score. Tampa Bay entered halftime leading 21–0.
With 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber
Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...
intercepted Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning
Peyton Williams Manning is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League . Manning holds the record for most NFL MVP awards with four. He was drafted by the Colts as the first overall pick in 1998 after a standout college football career with the...
and returned the ball 29 yards for a touchdown, and put the Buccaneers up 35–14.
With most of the fans beginning to head for the exits, Indianapolis started an improbable rally. Tampa Bay kicked off, and the ball was returned 90 yards to the 11 yard line. Four plays later, with 3:37 remaining, Indianapolis scored a touchdown on a fourth-down play, to narrow the lead to 35–21. Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt
Mike Vanderjagt
Michael John "Mike" Vanderjagt , is a professional American and Canadian football placekicker and punter who has played in the Arena Football League, the Canadian Football League and National Football League...
then attempted an onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
, which sailed airborne and was caught by Colts safety Idrees Bashir
Idrees Bashir
Idrees Bashir is an American football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.-NFL career:Bashir, a defensive back out of Memphis, was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Bashir played in 51 games over 4 seasons with the Colts, amassing...
at their own 42 yard line. It was later determined by NFL officials that the onside kick was recovered illegally, since it never touched the ground, nor was touched by a Tampa Bay player. The critical error by the officiating crew led by referee Johnny Grier
Johnny Grier
Johnny Grier was an American football official for 23 years in the National Football League from 1981 to 2004. He began in the NFL as a field judge before becoming the first African-American referee in the history of the NFL with the start of the 1988 NFL season...
was overlooked, and the game continued.
The Colts scored another touchdown, and narrowed the margin 35-28. Another onside kick attempt was made, but this time it was recovered by Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay attempted to run the clock down to the two-minute warning, but a personal foul by Kenyatta Walker
Kenyatta Walker
Idrees Kenyatta Walker is a former American college and professional football player who was offensive tackle in the National Football League for six seasons in the early 2000s...
stopped the clock at 2:04 remaining. The Buccaneers were forced to punt with 1:48 to go. Manning then led the Colts on an 87-yard touchdown drive to tie the score 35–35 with 0:35 remaining. In overtime, kicker Mike Vanderjagt
Mike Vanderjagt
Michael John "Mike" Vanderjagt , is a professional American and Canadian football placekicker and punter who has played in the Arena Football League, the Canadian Football League and National Football League...
missed a 40-yard field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
, but umpire Ed Coukart
Ed Coukart
Ed Coukart was an American football official in the National Football League from the 1989 to 2005 NFL season. He served as an umpire and officiated in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2003 and selected as an alternate for Super Bowl XXXII in 1998. Coukart wore the uniform number 71.A native of Shadyside,...
called a penalty on Simeon Rice
Simeon Rice
Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
for leaping, a rarely-seen unsportsmanlike conduct infraction for running and jumping to block a kick and landing on other players. Vanderjagt's subsequent kick was batted and hit the upright, but fell in good, winning the game for the Colts.
It was the largest comeback in NFL history (21 points) in that little amount of time (under 4 minutes to go). With the game-winning field goal, Vanderjagt went on to become the first kicker in NFL history not to miss a kick attempt in a complete season, including the playoffs.
Week 6: at Washington Redskins (won 35-13)
The devastating loss to the Colts seemed to start a downward trend for the team. Injuries sidelined several players, including Mike AlstottMike Alstott
Michael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...
and Brian Kelly. Before the game, Warren Sapp
Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp is a retired American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year professional career, and college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was then...
was involved in his second "skipping" incident in two weeks, and third overall, as he bumped into an NFL referee. The incident drew a $50,000 fine.
Despite the growing trouble, the Buccaneers managed to beat Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach...
's slumping Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
threw four touchdown passes, and Derrick Brooks
Derrick Brooks
Derrick Dewan Brooks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers 28th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....
iced the game with a 44-yard interception return touchdown.
Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers (lost 7-24)
Brad JohnsonBrad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
threw three interceptions, and the Buccaneer defense gave up 212 yards rushing, falling to the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. Tampa Bay's only highlight, and only score, was a 75-yard touchdown pass to Keenan McCardell
Keenan McCardell
Keenan Wayne McCardell is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and current wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
in the first quarter.
Week 8: Dallas Cowboys (won 16-0)
In a largely defensive game, so-called "Buc ball" prevailed. Tampa Bay shut out Bill ParcellsBill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
' Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
by a score of 16-0. The defense forced three turnovers, and held the #4-ranked Dallas offense to just over 200 total yards and no points.
Week 9: New Orleans Saints (lost 14-17)
After a touchdown pass, and an interception return, the New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
held a 14-0 lead. With under 8 minutes to go in regulation, Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
threw two touchdown passes (26 and 30 yards) to Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman
Michael Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State....
and Keenan McCardell
Keenan McCardell
Keenan Wayne McCardell is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and current wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
to tie the score at 14-14. With 2:08 to go New Orleans took over. The Buccaneer defense failed to hold ground, and the Saints kicked a game-winning field goal with 8 seconds left.
Week 10: at Carolina Panthers (lost 24-27)
CarolinaCarolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
broke out to a 20-7 lead through three quarters. Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
led the Buccaneers on a rally, scoring two touchdown passes of 23 yards and 36 yards. One each to Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
and Keenan McCardell
Keenan McCardell
Keenan Wayne McCardell is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League and current wide receivers coach for the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Redskins in the 12th round of the 1991 NFL Draft...
, and Tampa Bay took a 21-20 lead with 4:52 remaining.
Two plays later, Tim Wansley
Tim Wansley
Tim Wansley is a former cornerback in the NFL. He was chosen in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Georgia by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers....
intercepted Jake Delhomme
Jake Delhomme
Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...
for the second time in the game. The turnover led to a Martin Gramatica
Martin Gramatica
Martín Gramática is an Argentine-American former football placekicker.Gramática was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft after playing college football at Kansas State, and has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Dallas...
field goal, and a Tampa Bay lead of 24-20 with 2:45 to go. The Buccaneer defense, however, failed to keep Carolina at bay, and Delhomme swiftly led the Panthers to a game-winning touchdown with 1:11 left.
Early in the fourth quarter, Simeon Rice
Simeon Rice
Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...
sacked Jake Delhomme for a 9-yard loss. It marked the 69th consecutive game the Buccaneer defense registered a quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, a new all-time NFL record.
Week 11: Green Bay Packers (lost 13-20)
The longtime rival Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
came to town in November, and Tampa Bay appeared to be poised for a win. A 17-play, 98-yard fourth quarter touchdown drive by the Packers wore out a tired Buccaneer defense, and Tampa Bay lost to Green Bay for the first time at Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...
. The loss dropped Tampa Bay to 4-6, and severely hampered their playoff chances.
During the game, Martin Gramatica
Martin Gramatica
Martín Gramática is an Argentine-American former football placekicker.Gramática was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft after playing college football at Kansas State, and has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Dallas...
became the franchise's all-time scoring leader. One distinction came to an end, however. The Tampa Bay defense had, one week earlier, set the all-time NFL record for consecutive game with a quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
. They achieved no sacks in this game, and the streak ended at 69 games.
Wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson
Keyshawn Johnson
Joseph Keyshawn Johnson is a former American football wide receiver, interior designer, business executive, author and current television broadcaster for sports channel ESPN. He retired from football on May 23, 2007 after an eleven-year career in the National Football League...
finished the game with only three catches for 34 yards. He was also heckled and booed by fans during the game. The following day, after several weeks of growing intra-team tension, Johnson was deactivated with pay from the playing roster for the balance of the season.
Week 12: New York Giants (won 19-13)
On Monday Night FootballMonday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
, Tampa Bay hosted the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Thomas Jones scored early in the second quarter, and Charles Lee
Charles Lee (American football)
Charles Lee is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He has played for the Green Bay Packers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Arizona Cardinals....
scored a touchdown catch. Just when they though the season was finished a week before, the Buccaneers pulled out an important victory and moved to 5-6, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Week 13: at Jacksonville Jaguars (lost 10-17)
An uninspired performance against in-state rival JacksonvilleJacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(who had a 2-9 record going into the game) on Sunday Night Football
ESPN Sunday Night Football
ESPN Sunday Night Football is the ESPN cable network's weekly television broadcasts of Sunday evening National Football League games. The first ESPN Sunday night broadcast occurred on November 8, 1987, while the last one aired on January 1, 2006....
saw 80 yards of penalties, turnovers, and blown chances. Tampa Bay fell to 5-7 on the season
Week 14: at New Orleans Saints (won 14-7)
The Buccaneers took on division foe New OrleansNew Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....
, and beat them for the first time since December 2001
2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
The 2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on a 10-6 season. It was Tony Dungy's final season as the Buccaneers head coach. He was fired after losing in the playoffs to Philadelphia for the second straight season.-Staff:...
. The Tampa Bay defense sacked Aaron Brooks seven times and forced three fumbles, meanwhile running back Deuce McAllister
Deuce McAllister
Dulymus Jenod "Deuce" McAllister is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
was held to just 88 yards.
Tampa Bay's offense performed well, with Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
throwing two touchdown passes. The second of which was to tight end Warren Sapp
Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp is a retired American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year professional career, and college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was then...
, his second touchdown reception of his career. After losing the ball in the lights, he grabbed it and was able to pull it in as he fell to the turf.
New Orleans was in the game until the waning seconds of the first half. With 1:49 to go in the second quarter, Joe Horn
Joe Horn
Joseph Horn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft, and also played for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...
dropped a sure touchdown pass in the end zone. On the next play, Aaron Brooks was sacked and fumbled. Jermaine Phillips
Jermaine Phillips
Jermaine Phillips is an American football safety who currently plays for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
recovered the fumble, and returned it 20 yards. Tampa Bay took a 14-7 lead into halftime, and neither team scored again.
A couple days after the game, general manager Rich McKay
Rich McKay
Rich McKay is the president, CEO, and former general manager of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII.-Early years:...
was released by the team, allowed to pursue work elsewhere.
Week 15: Houston Texans (won 16-3)
Tampa Bay kept their postseason hopes alive, beating the second-year TexansHouston Texans
The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
16-3, and improving to 7-7 on the year. The rainy day saw Thomas Jones take over the primary rushing duties, and run for 134 yards and one score. Warren Sapp
Warren Sapp
Warren Carlos Sapp is a retired American football player who played defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders during his 13 year professional career, and college football for the University of Miami Hurricanes. He was then...
sat out the game with a strained foot, his first game missed in 73 starts.
For the second time in five weeks, the Buccaneer defense ended a long streak. Dating back to October 19, 2000, Tampa Bay had a streak of 54 consecutive games with a turnover (takeaway). Against the Texans, there were no forced turnovers, and the streak fell short of the all-time NFL record (71 by Philadelphia).
With the victory, Tampa Bay improved to 7-7, and were still in the wild card hunt.
Week 16: Atlanta Falcons (lost 28-30)
While still mathematically alive for the playoffs, the Buccaneers scored a touchdown with 34 seconds remaining. A two-point conversion would have tied the game, and forced overtime. The pass failed, and Tampa Bay was eliminated from playoff contention, losing the game 30-28 to the FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Just six days before the game, former Buccaneers general manager Rich McKay
Rich McKay
Rich McKay is the president, CEO, and former general manager of the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when they won Super Bowl XXXVII.-Early years:...
was named the president and general manager of the Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He spent the game in the visitor's press box, and presided over the Falcon's defeat of Tampa Bay.
Week 17: at Tennessee Titans (lost 13-33)
After being eliminated from the playoffs, the Buccaneers traveled to take on the TitansTennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
in a largely meaningless game. Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
and Shaun King
Shaun King
Shaun Earl King is a former Tulane University and National Football League quarterback.-High School:King is a 1995 graduate of Gibbs High School .-College:...
shared quarterback duties, but neither seemed able to get into a rhythm, throwing a combined 4 interceptions.
With the loss, Tampa Bay finished 7-9, and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1998
1998 NFL season
The 1998 NFL season was the 79th regular season of the National Football League.The Tennessee Oilers moved their home games from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, still awaiting construction on a new stadium in Nashville.This was the first season that CBS...
.