With the realignment beginning the next season, the 2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers had one more chance to beat the Green Bay Packers up in Green Bay where no Bucs team had won since 1989. The attempt would be as dramatic as could be, knowing that it would be until 2005 before the Bucs would be able to try again. Not only breaking a 12 year old record, but stopping a current 3 year skid where the Bucs start out their seasons 3-4 only to have to fight back into playoff contention.
The Bucs gained control of this contest just before halftime, and put the Packers into a corner early in the third period with a Mike Alstott touchdown catch that gave the Bucs a ten point lead 17-7. Old Bucs defenses under Tony Dungy would stifle a team in those circumstances. But this was 2001, and these Bucs had hard times keeping teams from converting on 3rd down, unlike past Bucs squads.
John Madden and Pat Summerall were in disbelief as the Bucs allowed Packer running back Ahmad Green to run right through the Bucs line for a 63 yard TD gallop to close the gap to 3 points.
Martin Gramatica extended the Bucs lead to 6, meaning only a TD would allow the Packers to comeback in this one. The Defense was cautious on every down, every move. This time it wasn’t the defense though that slipped; Mark Royals punted from the Bucs endzone, an inability to move the ball in the closing minutes of the game. Allen Rossum returned for the Packers 55 yards virtually untouched, save for the facemask a Buc committed on him.
Still these Bucs refused to give up; at their own 32 Brad Johnson hits Keyshawn for a first down to the Packer side of the 50. Even a simple Spike evaded the Bucs, Brad Johnson couldn’t get a grip on the ball. It would not matter, with no times outs the best the Bucs could hope for was a hail mary spiked down Volley Ball style by a Packer defender. It perhaps needn’t have come to that, but Tony Dungy down by one point decided to punt the ball on 4th and 17 from the Bucs 35.
Would it have been a miracle? Sure. But more of one than a hail mary. The desperation of the times did not escape the Bucs coaching staff; another 3-4 start, another loss in Green Bay’s historic ball park, and yet another rushing effort of the Bucs completely UN-bucball like; 30 combined rushing yards for both Alstott and Dunn. 4 years in, 3 offensive coordinators, and still no one could figure out how to properly use them both.
With more division games upcoming at Detroit and home vs Chicago, now is the time for the Bucs to make their move if they want to sneak back into the playoffs again.
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You can read Martin Fennelly’s Monday Morning article via www.bucpower.com after the READ MORE break…
Once again, Bucs trumpet 3-4 defense
It’s reunion week. The Bucs and 3-4. Together again. Some of the names have changed. Not that it matters. And there are the Detroit Lions, this week’s opponent. The last two seasons, the Lions were the team that made the Bucs 3-4. This year, they’re the team the Bucs are playing at 3-4. You see how it’s different?
It’s hard to make distinctions when it comes to the same old Bucs. And it says something when you’re playing an 0-7 Detroit team and you’re the underachievers. But let’s not waste time. We have things to do. The Bucs definitely have things to do. No need to say anything else. Why not just use the old stuff? Heck, the Bucs do it on offense. Does This Sound Familiar?
“We know what’s wrong, but fixing it is the hardest thing.” (Dungy, 3-4, 2000).”We’re all frustrated right now and there’s a lot of things you can worry about. You really have to stay focused on what you’re doing, on coaching the players and getting them in the best positions. Because they’re going to look to us.” (Bucs offensive co-ordinator Mike Shula, 3-4, 1999)
“I probably gave up on the run a little too soon. But the bottom line is we’re just not executing the way we’re capable of.” (Les Steckel, 3-4, 2000).
“Those who wanted Dilfer benched got their wish, and a heck of a lot of good it did. And, as our story goes, Trent will lead another team deep into the playoffs or to the Super Bowl while we struggle with a rookie at the helm. So goes the tale of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.” (letter from fan, 3-4, 1999).
“It has to start with one game and with one play and with making a good play on that first play. It’ll come down to whoever executes and makes plays at critical times, but I think also that you do have to look back at that game.” (John Lynch, 3-4, 1999).
“But overall, I think we’ve played the run really well. It’s just that some big breakout runs make it look like we haven’t.” (Monte Kiffin, 3-4, 2000)
“That used to be a hallmark – winning those close games.” (Dungy, 3-4, 2000).
Repeat When Necessary …
“We’re still a little off on some things. With the new offense there’s still some things we’re not sharp on. It’s going to take some time. Time will cure this.” (Shaun King, 3-4, 2000).
“It goes beyond plays. It’s people performing, and that includes the coaches. Offensively, as a unit, we’re functioning at about 80 percent right now. It’s that other 20 percent we’ve got to get out of everybody.” (Bucs quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen, 3-4, 2000).
“We’re 3-4 and that’s how well we’ve played as a line. For me to come out and say we’ve played better than our record is ridiculous.” (OL coach Chris Foerster, 3-4, 2000).
“The Bucs simply are the biggest group of underachievers I have ever witnessed!” (e-mail from fan, 3-4, 1999).
“We’ve dug ourselves a hole and we don’t have much margin for error.” (Dungy, 3-4, 2000)
The Bucs went from 3-4 to 9-4 two seasons ago and made the NFC title game. And they went from 3-4 to 6-4 last season, another playoff year. It doesn’t feel like that after Green Bay.
“Everything that could possibly go wrong at the wrong time happened.” (Dungy, 3-4, Monday).
They’ve got a million of them. We’ll save the rest for 3-4 next year.
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