My All Time Favorite Tampa Bay Buccaneers Players

Formed in 1976, the Buccaneers had some really, really bad teams in their early years. Despite a few playoff trips in the late ’70s and early ’80s, the Bucs were tough to watch. During that time, they did have one of the best defensive ends in NFL history in Lee Roy Selmon. The same goes for legendary quarterback Doug Williams. Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, Williams left the team for the USFL in a contract dispute. It took them years to recover. In the mid-’90s, the Buccaneers finally started to turn things around when they started to acquire the players that would make up the foundation of contending teams to come. Many of these players are considered the best in team history. Some, like lineman Warren Sapp, are some of top at their respective position. Sapp in particular is one of the best defensive tackles of all time.

Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber and John Lynch were all parts of strong defensive teams that were perennial playoff contenders. On offense, fullback Mike Alstott was one of the team’s most popular players because of his hard-nosed running. Finally after the 2003 season, the Bucs captured their first Super Bowl title behind the efforts of some of the best players in team history one of the best defenses of all time.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have gone from early obscurity to NFL Champions. In recent years, their defense has been the envy of the NFL.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS

Doug Williams

 

Vinny Testaverde

RUNNING BACKS

James Wilder

 

Warrick Dunn

 

Mike Alstott

WIDE RECEIVERS

Mark Carrier

 

Kevin House

 

Keyshawn Johnson

 

TIGHT ENDS

Jimmie Giles

 

Ron Hall

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

OT – Paul Gruber (1988-1999)

OG – Frank Middleton (1997-2000)

OC – Tony Mayberry (1990-1999)

Randy Grimes

 

OT – Dave Reavis (1976-1983)

 

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Lee Roy Selmon

 

Warren Sapp

 

DT – David Logan (1979-1986)

Simeon Rice

 

LINEBACKERS

Derrick Brooks

 

Hardy Nickerson

 

LB – Shelton Quarles (1997-2006)

Hugh Green

 

 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

CB – Ronde Barber (1997-2008)

CB – Donnie Abraham (1996-2001)

Ricky Reynolds

 

Cedric Brown

 

John Lynch

Mark Cotney

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

K – Martin Gramatica

P – Josh Bidwell (2004-2008)

PR – Karl Williams (1996-2003)

KR – Aaron Stecker

 

HEAD COACHES

Tony Dungy (1996-2001)

 

NICKNAME

• A team advisory board reviewed 400 name possibilities and selected Buccaneers, based on a local pirate legend.

COACHES

• John McKay (1976-1984)
• Leeman Bennett (1985-1986)
• Ray Perkins (1987-1990)
• Richard Williamson (1990-1991)
• Sam Wyche (1992-1995)
• Tony Dungy (1996-2001)
• Jon Gruden (2002-2008)
• Raheem Morris (2009-2011)
• Greg Schiano (2012-2013)
• Lovie Smith (2014-2015)
• Dirk Koetter (2016-2018)
• Bruce Arians (2019-Present)

SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS

• XXXVII (2002) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat Oakland Raiders 48-21

SUPER BOWL APPEARANCES

• XXXVII (2002) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Oakland Raiders

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

• 1979, 1999, 2002

DIVISION CHAMPIONS

• 1979, 1981, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2007

PLAYOFF APPEARANCES

• 1979, 1981, 1982, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2007

PLAYOFF RECORD

• 6-9 .400

HALL OF FAME PLAYERS

• Randall McDaniel G (2000-2001)
• Lee Roy Selmon DE (1976-1984)
• Steve Young QB (1985-1986)
• Derrick Brooks LB (1995-2008)
• Warren Sapp DT (1995-2003)

RETIRED NUMBERS

• 40 Mike Alstott FB (1996-2006)
• 55 Derrick Brooks LB (1995-2008)
• 63 Lee Roy Selmon DE (1976-1984)
• 99 Warren Sapp DT (1995-2003)

PRO BOWL MVP

• 1982 Lee Roy Selmon DE
• 2006 Derrick Brooks LB

AWARDS

COACH OF THE YEAR

• None

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

• None

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

• 1997 Warick Dunn RB
• 2005 Cadillac Williams RB

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• 1979 Lee Roy Selmon LB
• 1999 Warren Sapp DT
• 2002 Derrick Brooks LB

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

• None

NFL MVP:

• None

SUPER BOWL MVP

• Super Bowl XXXVII – Dexter Jackson S (2002)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had humble beginnings. In the 1990’s, the Buccaneers became a perennial playoff team. When Jon Gruden came to town, he added a great offense to the great defense Tony Dungy had built. The result was a Tampa Buccaneers Super Bowl victory.

©MMXIX My All Time Favorites, all pictures and logos, team names are property of the National Football League. This site is not affiliated with the NFL or Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  All Football Cards are low resolution scans from a personal collection and each is credited with the production company name and year.  This site is maintained for research purposes only.