Tampa Bay Football History Network - 1998 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1998 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

During the off season, the Buccaneers signed Atlanta wide receiver Bert Emanuel as a free agent. Emanuel spilt his college career between UCLA and Rice, before playing four seasons with the Falcons. Also signed as a free agent was San Francisco backup quarterback Jeff Brohm. He attended the University of Louisville before stints with San Diego and the 49ers. A draft pick was traded to the New York Jets for fullback Lorenzo Neal. After playing his college ball at Fresno State, Neal spent four years with New Orleans and one season with the Jets. A draft pick was received in compensation for Errict Rhett, who was traded to the Baltimore Ravens. The Bucs number one draft pick in 1993, Eric Curry, was waived during the off season.

Tampa Bay entered the draft with the twenty-third overall selection, which would have been the lowest first round pick in team history. The Buccaneers traded that pick to Oakland, moved down eleven places to early in the second round and made Florida wide receiver Jacquez Green their first choice in the draft. The Raiders traded two second round picks for the Bucs number one and the Bucs sent the other pick to San Diego in exchange for the Chargers first round pick in the 2000 draft. Later in the second round, the Buccaneers picked up USC defensive back Brain Kelly.

A deal for the naming rights to the new stadium was signed with St. Petersburg based Raymond James Financial. The 66,321 seat facility would now become Raymond James Stadium. Malcolm Glazer said of the arrangement, "It is a great pleasure for us to form this relationship with a local corporation." While Paul Gruber would become the first Buccaneer to play eleven consecutive seasons with the team, backup quarterback Jeff Brohm was placed on injured reserve due to an injury sustained during the preseason.

The season opened at Minnesota with Trent Dilfer (17 of 25 for 207 yards and no INTs) completing his first eleven passes. Bert Emanuel fit right in catching seven passes for 98 yards. It was Vikings quarterback Brad Johnson (15 of 25 for 189 yards with an INT) who stole the show with four touchdown passes. Rookie receiver Randy Moss and Cris Carter each had two TD receptions to pace Minnesota. As bad as the first half was for the Bucs, the Vikings scored on three straight possessions to take a 21-0 lead, the third quarter was worse. Emanuel would suffer a sprained ankle and miss several weeks, while Dilfer had to leave the game with a deep thigh bruise after tossing a short TD pass to newcomer Lorenzo Neal. A dozen Buccaneers penalties for 124 yards did not help in a 31-7 defeat.

At Green Bay, Trent Dilfer (20 of 36 for 211 yards with a touchdown pass) fumbled three times and Reggie White recorded three of the Packers six quarterback sacks. Despite being sacked four times, twice by Warren Sapp, Brett Favre (22 of 33 for 237 yards) threw two TD passes and the home team took a 23-0 advantage. Tampa Bay's comeback, sparked by a team record 95 yard punt return by rookie Jacquez Green, fell short in a 23-15 defeat.

On September 20, the Chicago Bears came to town to open the new Raymond James Stadium. A festive crowd of 64,328 filled every pewter and red seat. The most unique feature of the new stadium is called Buccaneer Cove. Located in the north end zone, it features an 18th century replica of a Spanish galleon and a model pirate village. When the Bucs score, the 103 foot ship fires cannons generating smoke and noise, along with shooting T-shirts and other souvenirs into the crowd. Bucs receiver Reidel Anthony said, "Our new stadium is a rocking place."

There was a football game played that afternoon and a 93 yard punt return by Glyn Milburn, the longest ever against the Bucs, helped the Bears take a 15-0 halftime lead. The Buccaneers stormed back after the break, scoring on every second half possession, expect when running out clock at end of the game. The Bucs ran for a team record 192 yards in that half of football and scored 27 unanswered points to notch a 27-15 victory. Mike Alstott ran for 103 yards, and a short touchdown, to record his first 100 yard rushing game. Trent Dilfer (12 of 18 for 147 yards) tossed two touchdown passes in the comeback win. Tampa Bay defensive lineman Brad Culpepper talked of the poor showing in the first half. "It was almost like in reverence to the Big Sombrero, we gave them a little bit of old Buccaneer football for the first half."

The Bucs return to Monday Night Football, the first time since 1983, took place in Pontiac. Michael Husted's late second quarter field goal was his first three pointer of the season and the first Buccaneers first half points of the year. Husted added a fourth quarter field goal to become Tampa Bay's all-time leading scorer with 419 points. Early in the third quarter the Bucs trailed 6- 3 when Trent Dilfer threw his first interception of the year, which was returned by Lion cornerback Bryant Westbrook for a touchdown and a 13-3 Detroit lead. Detroit was lead by rookie quarterback Charlie Batch, who ran for a TD, and Barry Sanders who ran for 131 yards. A Lions record 105 yard kickoff return by Terry Fair closed out the scoring in 27-6 Bucs loss.

There was not much offense when the Bucs returned to RJS to play the Giants. Trent Dilfer (12 of 20 for 83 yards) was sacked four times and threw an interception. Danny Kanell (10 of 27 for 83 yards) did not fare any better. The New York quarterback suffered three interceptions and the visitors generated only 135 net total yards. It was the Buccaneer defense that saved the day. Charles Mincy returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown in the game's second minute, while Ronde Barber and Regan Upshaw recorded their first professional picks. Michael Husted became the first Buc to kick 100 career field goals in the 20-3 victory.

Next to visit the new stadium was Carolina. The game was tied 3-3 at the half, then the Panthers took a 13-3 lead after three quarters. The Buccaneers looked like they were going to fall to the winless team, but two late touchdowns pulled it out. With 5:05 left in the game, Trent Dilfer (21 of 31 for 219 yards with an interception) ran the bootleg for a touchdown. The clock showed 1:39 when Dilfer hooked up with Karl Williams on a 29 yard TD pass. A missed PAT meant the outcome remained in doubt until Carolina missed a field goal attempt in the final seconds. The Bucs recorded three sacks of Steve Beuerlein in a 16-13 victory. Tony Dungy said "It's tough to win in this league. I'd rather be frustrated for 59 minutes and win than play great for 59 minutes and lose."

At New Orleans, Hardy Nickerson surpassed Richard "Batman" Wood as the Bucs career leader in tackles (860). Three turnovers, two Michael Husted field goal attempts that sailed wide left, and plenty of mistakes lead to a 9-3 loss to the Saints. John Lynch said afterwards, "We just played bad football." Warrick Dunn added, "It's time to push the panic button."

When undefeated Minnesota came to town, Randall Cunningham (21 of 25 for 291 yards with an INT) had a big day. The Vikings QB threw two touchdown passes to Jake Reed (117 yards receiving) in a game that turned out to be a shootout. The Buccaneers offense scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, which had not happened since 1989, the first offensive TDs in the first half all season. Each team scored on all three first half possessions and the game was tied 17-17 at the break. Minnesota took the lead after three quarters, before the Bucs out scored the visitors 10-0 in the final period. Tampa Bay scored five of the seven times they had the ball and rolled up a team record 246 yards on the ground. For the first time in team history, two running backs had 100 yard days. Mike Alstott bullied his way to a career high 128 yards, Warrick Dunn finished with 115 yards and each ran one in a score. The Bucs did not turn the ball over, and did not punt, in a 27-24 victory. Warren Sapp talked of the battle, "We were going to take them fifteen rounds and let's see who's standing at the end."

The first NFL night game at Raymond James Stadium was the only time the Bucs faced the "Tennessee Oilers." Trent Dilfer (20 of 38 for 294 yards with an interception) hooked up with Bert Emanuel (107 yards receiving), who made a juggling catch for his first Buccaneers touchdown, and Tampa Bay took a 16-3 lead at the half. The momentum would change, as Oilers running back Eddie George rushed for 134 yards and a score. There was also a 71 yard punt by Craig Hentrich, which was the longest ever booted against the Bucs. The final score was 31-22 and, for the first time, the home team lost at RJS.

The Bucs did some things right at Jacksonville's Alltel Stadium. Warrick Dunn rushed for 107 yards and Tampa Bay lead 17-14 at halftime. Trent Dilfer (9 of 23 for 189 yards with 2 interceptions) threw three touchdown passes, including a bomb to Reidel Anthony. That 79 pass play was Dilfer's longest career pass and the longest ever against the Jaguars. Anthony would snag another scoring pass and finish with 126 yards receiving for his first 100 yard day as a professional. The star of the game was Jags running back Fred Taylor, a rookie from the University of Florida, who ran for 128 yards and three touchdowns. The Bucs recorded three sacks to go with three turnovers and lost to Jacksonville for the first time 29-24. With a 4-6 record, coach Tony Dungy stated the obvious, "We can't afford any more losses." Warren Sapp added, "The way we're playing, we're not going to win any games."

Charlie Batch (14 of 23 for 195 yards) threw two touchdown passes and Detroit had a quick 14-0 lead after one quarter at RJS. Trent Dilfer (16 of 30 for 283 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs) did hit Jacquez Green on a 45 yard pass for the rookie's first pro touchdown reception in a 28-25 defeat. After losing three in a row, Dilfer commented "You can't be 4-7 without playing some lousy football." Dungy remarked, "It's doubtful that we can make the playoffs at this point."

When the Bucs went to Soldier Field, Colorado State rookie Moses Moreno (18 of 41 for 153 yards and a TD) started at quarterback for the Bears. It was a back-and-forth first half, but the momentum would change before the teams went to the locker room. On a "Hail Mary" pass, wide receiver Brice Hunter caught his first professional touchdown on a deflected Trent Dilfer (13 of 22 for 153 yards with 3 TDs and an INT) pass and the Buccaneers lead for good. The 31-17 victory was the first road win of the season and the Bucs first win in Chicago since 1989.

For the first time since 1983, Monday Night Football came to Tampa. On Green Bay's first series, the Bucs forced three Packers fumbles and sacked Brett Favre three times. Tampa Bay went on to force a team defensive record eight fumbles, but recovered just two of the drops. Favre (29 of 41 for 262 yards with 2 TDs) fumbled six times himself, one short of the NFL record. The Packers QB was also sacked a total of eight times. While not posting big numbers, Trent Dilfer (9 of 22 for 181 yards with 2 TDs and an INT) became the first Buccaneers quarterback to throw two touchdowns passes in excess of 60 yards in the same game. Dilfer hit Jacquez Green for 64 yards, Bert Emanuel for 62 yards and also ran for a score in a 24-22 Bucs victory.

A game against Pittsburgh, on a rainy afternoon, would close out the first season at Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs picked off four passes, including two interceptions in the third quarter by safety John Lynch, and defeated the Steelers for the first time. The 16-3 victory gave Tampa Bay a three game winning streak and evened the team's record at 7-7.

When the Buccaneers made their first appearance at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, it was a historic day in our nation's capital. As Articles of Impeachment were passing in the House of Representatives, Tampa Bay was trying to keep its playoff hopes alive. The Bucs lead 16-7 after three quarters, but three turnovers in the final six minutes cost them the game. The Redskins were penalized a dozen times in a 20-16 victory.

The season ended on a forty degree day in Cincinnati. Trent Dilfer (10 of 16 for 111 yards and an INT) threw two touchdown passes to equal his team record of 21 for a season. Mike Alstott ran for a career high three touchdowns and Warrick Dunn surpassed the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season. The Bucs pounded the Bengals 35-0 for the franchise's first road shutout. It was also the team's largest margin of victory on road and first shutout since 1985. Of the game, Tony Dungy commented, "This is what our team should be." On the season, the head coach said, "Eight and eight is disappointing. It's mediocre. We were capable of so much more."

While the team won four of their last five games, the expectations were much higher. Warrick Dunn, the fifth Buc to reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark, finished with 1,026 yards on the ground. Michael Husted became the first Buc with 500 career points and rookie Jacquez Green set the record for punt return yards at 455. Opponents ran a team record low 925 plays and the Bucs averaged a team record 4.1 yards per rushing attempt. The new stadium was kind, as the team posted a 6-2 mark at Raymond James and equaled the most home victories. Derrick Brooks was named the team MVP by the local media and went to the Pro Bowl. Also named as Pro Bowl starters were Warren Sapp and Mike Alstott, while Tony Mayberry went as a reserve. The total became five Pro Bowlers when Hardy Nickerson was added due to an injury to another player.

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