One of Giles 4 Touchdowns on the day, is why Jimmie was chosen as R.O.H. this year.NICK HOULLIS-
Most Tampa Bay Buccaneer fans do not remember Jimmie Giles, so its understandable that a lot of message boards around the ‘net are full of “I’m sure he was great, but we need Derrick Brooks in”.
There is no doubt Derrick Brooks is either the No.1 or at worst, No.3 Buc of all time, with only Mike Alstott available for challenge. But the Glazers deserve great credit for paying homage to the Bucs past even though they could have picked more popular current players.
What you have to understand is that Jimmie Giles was to this date the best Tight End ever to wear a Bucs uniform, even over K2, who cannot block anywhere to Giles ability. He was Big, fast, and caught every ball thrown his way. His numbers were outstanding to this day, but remember, this was an age before the West Coast Offenses, before the Tight End were major players in the offense. At the time, few were better, which is why Giles was voted to 4 Pro Bowls, even though the Bucs only had 3 winning seasons in the 4 years, 1979-1982. After 1982 Doug Williams was no longer throwing him deep passes, and his numbers suffered. Still though, his best day as a pro, any Buccaneer’s best day as a pro, was a 4 TD performance against the Miami Dolphins in Miami during the 1985 season with Steve Deberg at the helm. The Bucs lost that game 41-38.
All told Giles has a 4 TD day, has 4 Pro Bowl appearances, and no one has ever caught more TD passes that Giles in Bucs history. Thats something when you consider the WR we have had here…Keyshawn, Joey Galloway, Mark Carrier, Kevin House, and a TE leads all Bucs in TD receptions. Only Mike Alstott and James Wilder scored more points as a non-kicker. (In case your wondering Martin Gramatica is the undisputed scoring leader with 591 points. No one is close at all, with Michael Husted coming in 89 points behind.)
STEVEN THOMPSON- Captain’s Logger
-while I admittedly was a little apprehensive about Giles induction to the Ring of Honor I will say that it’s hard for a young Bucs fan such as myself to really comment. I wasn’t able to really watch him play except through video, so I will take my lead from older more knowledgeable Bucs fans. Those people that I do respect say absolutely that Giles should be included and that’s good enough for me. Giles was one of the best offensive players on a team that finally had broken through and become a winner. He was one of the best TE’s in NFL for almost a span of 5 years, went to multiple pro bowls during that time, holds our franchise record for TD’s (34), and TD’s in a gm (4). I respect the Glazers for staying in a bit of a timeline and honoring past Buccaneers that weren’t apart of the Glazer era.
BRIAN KORNFELD- Rocket Scientist/Ambassador
Before there was Kellen Winslow Jr., Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, or even Shannon Sharpe, there was Jimmie Giles. Back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, Tight Ends were mostly used as blockers and there were very few exceptions. One of which was Jimmie Giles. Yes, he could block with the best of them, but his 4 Pro Bowl selections in 8 years with the Buccaneers were earned because he could do it all. Giles was the precursor to the present-day multi-dimensional Tight End. Giles was a secret weapon and a necessary piece in the 1979 run to the NFC Championship Game. There are very few names that most present-day Buccaneer fans can name from the 1979 team, but I guarantee one of those names is Jimmie Giles. It is very fitting that the 3 names in the Ring of Honor are Lee Roy Selmon, John McKay, and now Jimmie Giles.
Congratulations Jimmie, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why your name belongs in the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.
DECEMBER 4th 2011 Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Orange!
Throwback day with be back this year as the Panthers visit Bucco Bruce and Jimmie Giles gets inducted into the Ring Of Honor. The game will be held on Dec.4th.
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