2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs concentrated on the defense in the NFL draft with seven of ten selections on the defensive side. With the fourth overall pick, the team selected Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams. Arron Sears, an offensive tackle from Tennessee, and Sabby Piscitelli, a safety out of Oregon State, were picked in the second round.

Shelton Quarles was released due to nagging injuries and decided to retire. Simon Rice was released due a controversial failed physical upon reporting to training camp. Losses due to free agency included Kenyatta Walker, Dewayne White and Tim Rattay. The biggest loss was announced on the eve of the first preseason game. Due to stress in his surgically repaired neck, Mike Alstott would sit out the season on injured reserve. Many thought it was the end of his playing career and the popular fullback stated, "I love this city of Tampa and I love the fans. I'm going to be around. I'm going to be a part of this football team. It's my team. It's Brooks' team. It's Ronde's team. We grew up in the organization, and we're going to turn this thing around together and win another Super Bowl, even if I can't put on a helmet this year."

On the opening day of training camp, head coach Jon Gruden said of the pressure to win after last year's disappointing season, "We have a great amount of work to do, but I've always liked the kitchen a little bit hotter. I wouldn't bet against this team."

Two Matt Bryant field goals gave the Bucs a 6-0 lead after the first quarter at Quest Field in Seattle. Shaun Alexander rushed for 105 yards and his 1 yard run gave the Seahawks a 10-6 advantage at the break. A scoreless third quarter saw Jeff Garcia (19 of 27 for 201 yards) leave the game temporarily and Cadillac Williams leave with a rib injury. Matt Hasselbeck (17 of 24 for 222 yards) tossed a fourth quarter TD pass to Maurice Morris and Seattle won going away 20-6.

The Bucs looked sharp in the home opener against New Orleans. Cadillac Williams ran for a pair of 1 yard touchdowns and Jeff Garcia (10 of 16 for 243 yards) hooked up with Joey Galloway (4 receptions for 135 yards) on a pair of scoring passes. The Bucs lead 28-0 early in the fourth quarter, before Drew Brees (26 of 44 for 260 yards with 1 INT) tossed a TD pass for the Saints. After the 31-14 victory, Ronde Barber said, "A lot of people had a bad feeling about us after we didn't show much at Seattle, so this was as important a game as we'll play in terms of proving ourselves."

In a Tampa cloudburst, with 3 seconds until the half, Matt Bryant put the Buccaneers up 3-0. A Cadillac Williams touchdown run made it 10-0 after three and Ernest Graham ran for two TDs, the first of his career, as the Bucs won 24-3. Jeff Garcia (14 of 22 for 151 yards) did not have to post big numbers and St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger (17 of 26 for 116 yards) was picked off three times. The Rams did move the ball, Steven Jackson rushed 115 yards, but the Bucs always closed the door. Jon Gruden said of the effort, "It's still not good enough. The goal here is to win a championship. Turning a team around and having more wins than last year - that's for losers. That's a loser coach talking to you. We want to win a championship and we want to win it this year."

The Bucs moved into sole possession of first place with a win at Carolina. Jeff Garcia (15 of 25 for 176 yards) and Ernest Graham ran for touchdowns and the Buccaneers were up 14-0 after one quarter. A couple of Matt Bryant field goals made it 20-0, before David Carr (18 of 41 for 155 with an INT) tossed a late TD pass for the Panthers. Ike Hillard (7 catches for 114 yards) was the go-to receiver in a 20-7 victory. Jon Gruden said, "We played very well, particularly in the first half. Offensively, defensively, special teams, we came ready to roll." The bad news was that Cadillac Williams was lost for the season with a knee injury. On the injury Gruden commented, "Not a good thing for us, but we will show resolve as we did today, and we will complete the season."

Even with some key players injuried, the Colts dominated the Bucs at the RCA Dome. Indianapolis had 400 total yards, while the Bucs totaled 177 with an anemic 17 yards on the ground. The running game took another serious hit with Michael Pittman leaving the game with an ankle injury. Peyton Manning (29 of 37 for 253 yards with an INT) threw a pair of touchdown passes and Kenton Keith rushed for 121 yards in his first start with two scores. Jeff Garcia (18 of 23 143 yards) did throw two TD passes to tight end Alex Smith, however, Tony Dungy went 2-0 against the Bucs. After the 33-14 loss, defensive end Kevin Carter said, "We just weren't able to get them off the field and give our offense the chance they needed." Derrick Brooks added, "We know we can play better."

Tampa Bay could only manage 30 yards rushing against Tennessee, however, the Buccaneers defense forced three turnovers and recorded three sacks. After a scoreless first quarter in Tampa, a Matt Bryant field goal made 3-0 at half. The Titans tied it up, then a Jeff Garcia (20 of 31 for 274 yards) to Joey Galloway TD pass put the Bucs up 10-3. Tennessee starting quarterback Vince Young (11 of 14 for 120 yards) went down with a leg injury, so it was backup Kerry Collins (10 of 20 for 125 yards) who led the Titans to a tying TD with 1:17 left in regulation. A 43 yard Bryant with 11 seconds left gave the Bucs a 13-10 victory. Jon Gruden said after the game, "Jeff Garcia was superb in the last minute of the game and a credit to Matt Bryant for a clutch kick. Even though it got a little dramatic there today, we're very pleased with the victory."

The Bucs made a trade with Kansas City for running back Michael Bennett, but it was Ernest Graham who had a big afternoon at Detroit. Graham tied the team record for receptions with 13 for 99 yards, rushed for 92 yards and finished with 191 total yards. Jeff Garcia (37 of 45 for 316 yards) tied the Bucs record with eighteen consecutive completions and hooked up with Ike Hillard and Maurice Stovall on TD passes. The stats, the Bucs out-gained the Lions 422 to 278 in total yards, did not translate into victory. The Bucs lost two fumbles, including a botched snap at the Detroit goal line, and former Buc Dewayne White recorded three sacks. QB Jon Kitna went 16 of 20 for 147 yards in the Lions' 23-16 victory. Ronde Barber said of the loss, "It's ridiculous. One that we gave away."

Quinn Gray (7 of 16 for 100 yards with a TD) made his first ever NFL start, yet it was Jeff Garcia who struggled. Garcia (19 of 41 for 267 yards with 1 TD) had not been picked off all season, 217 pass attempts, before this afternoon. He tossed three interception with Aaron Glenn returning one pick 28 yards for a Jacksonville touchdown. Joey Galloway caught six passes for 115 yards with a score and Michael Bennett ran for his first TD with Tampa Bay. The Jaguars left Tampa with a 24-23 victory. Garcia, who overthrew some wide open receivers, said "There were a couple of plays where I wish I could've made a little bit better throw. That's disappointing, because I expect to be as perfect as possible." Ronde Barber said, "Good teams don't lose two in a row. But bad teams do lose three in a row. I guess we'll find out which one we are next week. It could be that we're just a mediocre team."

In Tampa, the Buccaneers dominated Arizona. The Bucs had 43:07 in time of possession, a total that the team only topped once in an overtime game. Kurt Warner (10 of 30 for 172 yards) was picked off twice and the Cardinals were held to 23 yards rushing. The Bucs countered with Ernest Graham, who ran for 124 yards on 34 carries with a touchdown. Jeff Garcia (18 of 28 for 196 yards) threw a TD pass to Joey Galloway in a 17-10 victory. Speaking of mistakes that kept the Bucs from putting the game away, Jon Gruden said, "We made it a little interesting." On a season of injuries, Garcia remarked, "I think the resiliency of this team is spectacular and we keep fighting and finding ways to do it."

The Buccaneers came off the bye week in sole possession of first place in the division and stretched that lead at Atlanta. The defense came up big with Ronde Barber returning a fumble 41 yards for a score and a 14-0 lead at the half. Defensive end Greg While forced two fumbles, and recorded two of the Bucs four sacks, as Tampa Bay forced four turnovers. Byron Leftwich (15 of 28 for 106 yards with 2 INTs) started, then replaced by Joey Harrington (16 of 20 for 139 yards with a TD). The Falcons hurt themselves with eleven penalties for 105 yards. Jeff Garcia (10 of 20 for 159 yards) tossed two TD passes and Ernest Graham rushed for 102 yards and his TD run put the Bucs up 31-0. After the 31-7 victory, Jon Gruden said, "Anytime you can win on the road, it's something to get excited about."

The statistics pointed to a Washington win. The Redskins had a 23 to 9 advantage in first downs, Tampa Bay went one for twelve on third down and the visitors out-gained the Bucs 412 to 192 in total yards. The Bucs were held to 15 total yards in second half. The one stat Washington could not overcome was turnovers, Washington six, Tampa Bay zero. Jeff Garcia injured his lower back on the game's first play. While Garcia (Garcia 2 of 4 for 9 yards) did come back late in the game, Bruce Gradkowski (9 of 19 for 106 yards) went most of the way. The Bucs tied the team record with four fumble recoveries and intercepted Jason Campbell (30 of 49 for 301 yards with a TD) twice. It was the older players that had the highlights. Derrick Brooks, making a team record 200th career start, had a key stop on fourth down at the Bucs 4-yard line. Kevin Carter recorded a sack putting him over 100 for his career. Ronde Barber took over the team lead for career interception at 32. A Brian Kelly pick in the end zone with 17 seconds left sealed the victory. With Matt Bryant kicking four field goals, the Bucs won 19-13. Garcia said afterwards, "It was a tremendous job by our defense. They've done an outstanding job all year long."

Finally!

It was one of the strangest streaks in sports. How long did it take the Buccaneers to return a kickoff for a touchdown?

Seasons: 32

Games: 511

Players: 140

Returns: 1,864

Yards: 37,395 (Over 21 Miles)

Micheal Spurlock was a quarterback at the University of Mississippi, who had never returned a kick until the 2006 season finale when he was with Arizona. Injuries caused the Bucs to sign him off the practice squad on November 1st and he became the first Buc in team history to return a kickoff for a TD on December 16th against Atlanta. Jon Gruden was thinking during the 90-yard return, "I just assumed he would step out of bounds or something would happen. I'm being serious." Two teams, Miami and New Orleans, actually returned the kickoff for a score on the first play in franchise history.

With Jeff Garcia nursing a sore back, Luke McCown made his first start as a Buccaneer at New Orleans. He completed his first 15 passes with his favorite target being Joey Galloway (159 yards receiving). Ernest Graham helped out with 106 yards on the ground and a touchdown. McCown made mistakes, as Saints corner back Mike McKenzie returned an interception 53 yards for a score and McCown was tackled in end zone for safety. Drew Brees (17 of 23 for 170 yards) threw two TD passes in a game that featured six lead changes. McCown (29 of 37 for 313 yards) tossed a TD pass to Anthony Becht, then found Jerramy Stevens in the corner of the end zone for the game winner with 14 seconds left. It was the first TD catch of the season for both of the tight ends and McCown's first victory in five NFL starts. The Bucs out-gained the Saints 466 to 246 in total yards and posted a 27-23 victory. Ronde Barber said of McCown, "I didn't think he'd have that much poise, that much composure, but he was great."

Luke McCown (25 of 38 for 266 yards) would also start at Houston and Ernest Graham ran for two touchdowns. Sage Rosenfels (27 of 36 for 209 yards) threw for three Texans touchdowns and Andre Davis returned the second half kickoff 97 yards for a score. The Bucs lost a game that could have clinched the division title 28-14. Jon Gruden said afterwards, "We didn't play well enough to win. The goal is not necessarily to qualify for the playoffs. The goal is to win the championship."

It had been a rough week for Atlanta. Michael Vick had been sentenced to 23 months in prison for his role in a dog fighting scandal and Bobby Petrino resigned after just 13 games as the Falcons head coach. One minute into the game, Ronde Barber returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown. Atlanta answered with a field goal, but Micheal Spurlock returned the kickoff 90 yards for the first kickoff return in Buccaneers history. The Raymond James Stadium crowd was in a frenzy and the Bucs would coast to victory. Chris Redman (4 of 15 for 34 yards with 2 INTs) could only complete four passes and the Falcons were held to 133 total yards. Jeff Garcia (15 of 25 for 109 yards with a TD and an INT) returned to action and Ernest Graham scored a touchdown in a team record sixth straight game. The Bucs clinched the NFC South Division title with a 37-3 victory. Jon Gruden, who got the Gatorade shower late in the game, commented, "Guys that win are guys who survive. It's so exciting when you get into the playoffs."

A game at San Francisco saw many Buccaneers starters resting on the sidelines by the half. Jeff Garcia (12 of 20 for 196 yards) tossed a TD pass to tight end Jerramy Stevens and the Bucs were 13-7 up at the break. Shaun Hill (11 of 24 for 123 yards with an INT) threw scoring passes to three different players, yet the Bucs had a chance to tie the game at the end. Stevens caught his second TD pass of the day, this time from Luke McCown (18 of 32 for 185 yards with an INT), and Tampa Bay was within two points with 1:20 left. Michael Clayton was out-of-bounds on the two-point conversion and the Bucs lost 21-19. While linebacker Patrick Willis recorded two of San Francisco's four QB sacks, the Bucs out-gained the 49ers 434 to 213 in total yards. Jon Gruden said of resting key players, "That was a decision that we made when we won the division last week. We've had a number of injuries this year."

Many of the starters would sit out the regular season finale against Carolina. Luke McCown (21 of 28 for 236 yards with an INT) threw two TD passes and the Bucs had a team record 98 yard scoring drive. DeAngelo Williams rushed for 121 yards with 2 touchdowns, Matt Moore (15 of 24 for 174 yards with an INT) tossed two TD passes and the Panthers defense recorded four sacks. After a 31-23 loss, Jon Gruden remarked, "Momentum is making the playoffs."

Jeff Garcia had the third highest QB rating in the NFC. He was the only representative at the Pro Bowl and was named the team MVP by the local media. Garcia set a Bucs record for fewest interception by the starting quarterback with four and as a team the Bucs quarterbacks had a team record low eight picks. Joey Galloway became the first receiver in team history to post three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. The defense ranked first in the NFC and second in the league.

Earnest Graham ran for a touchdown and the Bucs held New York to -2 yards of total offense in the first quarter of a home playoff game. The Giants would make adjustments and Eli Manning (20 of 27 for 185 yards) threw two scoring passes. Jeff Garcia (23 of 39 for 207 yards) was intercepted twice and his late TD pass to Alex Smith was not enough in a 24-14 defeat. Graham said afterwards, "We flat out got beat. There's not much else to say."

Shortly after the season ended, Mike Alstott made his retirement official. "The hardest thing is too stand up here and say you can't play. Although I will never experience the feeling of running out of the tunnel and hearing the roar of the crowd and the train horn, the memories you've given me will be forever. Thank you again for allowing me to call Tampa Bay my home."

Related Links

2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Results

2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft

2007 NFC South Division Standings

2007 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Statistics

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