Tampa Bay Football A to Z
(March 26, 2007)

There have been great names in the history of Tampa Bay Football. Certainly enough to select 26 names, one for each letter of the alphabet. Some of the decisions on who to pick were tough, other were obvious. Agree or disagree, here is Tampa Bay football A to Z.

A - Mike Alstott - Almost picked Gary Anderson, and could have gone with the Arena Bowl or Donnie Abraham, but popularity won the day for Alstott.

B - Derrick Brooks - The nicknames Buccaneers, Bulls and Bandits had to be in the mix. There was also the likes of Ricky Bell, Ronde Barber, Marquel Blackwell, Sam Baily, Andre Bowden and Les Barley to consider. Future hall of famer and all-around good guy Brooks won out.

C - Hugh Culverhouse - Bill Capece, Mark Carrier, Fran Curci or Brad Culpepper, but the former Bucs' owner in one of the most famous (infamous?) names in Tampa Bay sports.

D - Tony Dungy - Steve DeBerg, Trent Dilfer, Warrick Dunn, Gene Deckerhof and Clif Dell were in the running, but the beloved former coach has the edge.

E - Jerry Eckwood - Not too many contenders, but the Bucs running back takes it narrowly over Bert Emanuel.

F - Florida Classic - Really no other major contenders.

G - Gramatica - Some heavyweights here with the Glazers, Jon Gruden, Paul Gruber, Hugh Green, Jimmie Giles and Matt Grothe. However, Martin, Bill and Santiago have made a major impact on Tampa Bay football.

H - Kevin House - Bucs receiver wins out over the Hall of Fame Bowl and former USF players Anthony Henry and Andre Hall. UT coach Marcelino Huerta also needs mention.

I - Donald Igwebuike - Not much competetion, perhaps the Ice Palace.

J - Keyshawn Johnson - In a Johnson selection, had to pick Key over Brad.

K - Brian Kelly - QBs Shaun King and John Kaleo were considered, but Kelly won out.

L - John Lynch - Jim Leavitt was hard to pass up, and David Logan, David Lweis and George LaFrance were considered, but the popular Lynch had to represent L.

M - McKay - McKay wins over Tim Marcum two-to-one. As in both John and Rich. Tony Mayberry and John Matuszak were in the running.

N - Hardy Nickerson - Its all linebackers with the Bandits Fred Nordgren and Bulls Stephen Nicholas also considered.

O - Outback Bowl - Early Bucs players Morris Owens and Neil O'Donoghue lose out.

P - Michael Pittman - Former Buc Dave Pear and Ray Perkins were the other choices.

Q - Shelton Quarles - Not too many other Q's to pick from.

R - John Reaves - Could have chosen Raymond James Stadium or Simeon Rice, but former Bandits QB also played on Bucs strike replacement team.

S - Selmon - A lot to choose from here; Steve Spurrier, Warren Sapp, Shane Stafford, Lawrence Samuels, Spartans, Super Bowl and Freddie Solomon. Selmon wins out and Lee Roy probably didn't need help from Dewey.

T - Stevie Thomas - Could have picked Tampa Stadium, Vinny Testaverde or Eric Truvillion, but former Storm receiver was amazing.

U - USF - Could have gone with Bulls punter Tony Umholtz, but choose school instead.

V - Vinny - Not a lot of V's, Bandits cornerback Bruce Vaughan, so made up for passing on Testaverde ealier.

W - James Wilder - Williams was a very close second with Doug and Cadillac. There was also Sam Wyche, Mike Washington and Steve Wilson, but Wilder played awfully well on awful teams.

X - XXXVII - Super Bowl won by Bucs only option.

Y - Steve Young - No other real condenders at the Y.

Z - Zenon Andrusyshyn - Former Bandits kicker had this one all to himself.