Editing Tampa Bay Buccaneers (section)

==== John McKay years (1976–1984) ====
The Buccaneers joined the NFL as members of the [[AFC West]] in 1976.<ref name="m119">{{cite web | title=Those 1976 Buccaneers know all about losing | website=NFL.com | date=2008-12-26 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/those-1976-buccaneers-know-all-about-losing-09000d5d80da4a52 | access-date=2024-08-13}}</ref> The following year, they were moved to the [[NFC North|NFC Central]], while the other 1976 expansion team, the [[Seattle Seahawks]], switched conferences with Tampa Bay and joined the AFC West.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1977 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1977/index.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> This realignment was dictated by the league as part of the 1976 expansion plan, so that both teams could play each other twice and every other NFL franchise once during their first two seasons. Instead of a traditional schedule of playing each division opponent twice, the Buccaneers played every conference team once, plus the Seahawks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2005 |title=The Answer Man, Series 2, Vol. 18 |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/the-answer-man-series-2-vol-18-2145514 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630224914/https://www.buccaneers.com/news/the-answer-man-series-2-vol-18-2145514 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |access-date=June 30, 2019 |website=Buccaneers.com |publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC}}</ref>

Tampa Bay went 0–14 in their first season. They were outscored by an average of almost 21 points per game. Only three games ended with the Buccaneers within one possession.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1976 Games and Schedule |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1976/gamelog/ |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Until the [[2008 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions in 2008]], the 1976 Bucs were the only Super Bowl-era team to go winless in a whole season. Their losing streak caused them to become the butt of late-night television comedians' jokes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bishop |first=Greg |date=2007-12-02 |title=When Bucs Went 0 for the Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/sports/football/02jets.html |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Tampa Bay did not win their first game until the 13th week of their [[1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|second season]], starting with a record of 0–26 (though the Bucs had beaten the [[Atlanta Falcons]], 17–3, in a 1976 pre-season game before their first regular season).<ref name="b871">{{cite web | last=Underwood | first=John | title=A THREE-HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE | website=Sports Illustrated Vault | date=1976-08-23 | url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1976/08/23/a-threehour-time-difference | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref> The Saints' head coach, [[Hank Stram]], was fired after losing to the Buccaneers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shapiro |first=Leonard |date=January 29, 1978 |title=Stram Firing Interests Allen |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/01/29/stram-firing-interests-allen/cd9b89fc-d64f-46c4-b215-64ac2edea464/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206192616/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1978/01/29/stram-firing-interests-allen/cd9b89fc-d64f-46c4-b215-64ac2edea464/ |archive-date=December 6, 2018 |access-date=October 18, 2018 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> Their first win came on December 11, 1977, on the road against the [[New Orleans Saints]] in Week 13. Tampa Bay needed one more week to get their second victory, a home win over the [[St. Louis Cardinals (football)|St. Louis Cardinals]] in the 1977 season finale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1977 Games and Schedule |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1977/gamelog/ |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The Cardinals also fired their coach, [[Don Coryell]], shortly afterward.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Litsky |first=Frank |date=2001-06-11 |title=John McKay, U.S.C. and Buccaneers Coach, Dies at 77 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/11/sports/john-mckay-usc-and-buccaneers-coach-dies-at-77.html |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref>[[File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 20 - Cecil Johnson.jpg|thumb|right|In their fourth season, the Buccaneers defeated the Eagles in their first playoff appearance in [[1979–80 NFL playoffs|1979]] after suffering three consecutive losing seasons.]]
The Buccaneers improved to a 5–11 mark in 1978. The team boasted a strong defensive unit that finished seventh in points allowed. The team was competitive in numerous close games.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1978 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1978.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The Bucs' situation improved rapidly in the [[1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|1979 season]]. With the maturation of quarterback [[Doug Williams (quarterback)|Doug Williams]] and future four-time Pro Bowl tight end [[Jimmie Giles]], the first 1,000-yard rushing season from running back [[Ricky Bell (running back)|Ricky Bell]], and a smothering, league-leading, Star Studded defense led by future NFL [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Lee Roy Selmon]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1915&dat=19791221&id=6fkgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1333,4170040&hl=en|title=The Day – Google News Archive Search|website=news.google.com|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> the Bucs kicked off the season with five consecutive victories, a performance that landed them on the cover of ''[[Sports Illustrated]].''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/1979/1001.html|title=SI.com – Sports Illustrated Covers – October 1, 1979|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612064801/http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/1979/1001.html|archive-date=June 12, 2007}}</ref>

With four games left in the season, the Bucs needed to win only one of them to make the playoffs. In the first, [[STP (motor oil company)|STP]] was put all over the goal posts in Tampa to prevent the goalposts from being ripped down in the event of a celebration. Four blocked kicks later, the Bucs wasted the oily substance, falling to the [[Minnesota Vikings]] 23–22. STP was wasted again the following week as the Bucs were shut out 14–0 by the [[Chicago Bears]]; and in [[O. J. Simpson]]'s final home game in [[San Francisco]], Tampa Bay lost its third straight attempt to clinch a division title against a 49ers team which came in with a 1–13 record. However, in the season finale at home against the [[Kansas City Chiefs]], which was played in the worst downpour in Bucs history, Tampa Bay pulled out a 3–0 victory. Finishing with a 10–6 record, the Bucs had their first winning season in franchise history, and won the Central Division in a tiebreaker over the Bears.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1979.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In an upset, the Bucs defeated the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] 24–17 in the divisional round of the [[1979–80 NFL playoffs|playoffs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/1980/0107.html|title=SI.com – Sports Illustrated Covers – January 7, 1980|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612064908/http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/1980/0107.html|archive-date=June 12, 2007}}</ref> Because the [[Los Angeles Rams]] defeated the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in the other NFC playoff game, the Bucs hosted the [[NFC Championship Game]] the following week in Tampa. The Bucs lost to the Rams 9–0.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - January 6th, 1980 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198001060tam.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In their fourth season, the Bucs seemed on the verge of fulfilling McKay's five-year plan.<ref name="s979">{{cite web| title=Money, time follow good strategic plans | website=Canton Repository | date=2018-08-12 | url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/canton/2018/08/12/money-time-follow-good-strategic/6001193007/ | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref> The Buccaneers regressed in 1980 and finished with a 5–10–1 mark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1980 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1980.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

The Buccaneers made the playoffs again by winning their division in the [[1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|1981 season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1981.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> It came down to a thrilling final game at [[Detroit]]; the winner would take the Central Division crown and the loser would miss the playoffs. The [[Detroit Lions]] had not lost at home all season. Although the Bucs trailed early, an 84-yard touchdown bomb from QB Williams to WR [[Kevin House]] and a fumble recovery for a touchdown by DT [[David Logan (American football)|David Logan]] sealed the win for the Buccaneers.<ref name="z015">{{cite web | last=Raven | first=Benjamin | title=Lions-Buccaneers history: NFC Central foes and playoff heartbreak | website=mlive | date=2024-01-17 | url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2024/01/reliving-lions-bucs-before-round-2-nfc-central-foes-and-playoff-heartbreak.html#:~:text=1981%20Week%2016%20in%20Pontiac%20%2D%2D%20Buccaneers%2020%2C%20Lions%2017&text=The%20Lions%20lost%2028%2D10,fourth%20tied%20at%2010%20apiece. | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref> In the playoffs, the Cowboys defeated the Bucs, 38–0, in the divisional round. The loss remains the largest postseason shutout loss in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys - January 2nd, 1982 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198201020dal.htm |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

The [[1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|1982 season]] started 0–3 for the Bucs, before a [[1982 NFL Players Strike|player's strike]] shut down the NFL for seven weeks. When the league resumed play, the Bucs were nicknamed the "Cardiac Kids" for winning five of their next six games, all in the final moments, to go 5–4 and qualify for the expanded playoff slate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1982 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1982.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In the first round, the Bucs once again faced the Cowboys at Dallas, losing 30–17.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys - January 9th, 1983 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198301090dal.htm |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> As it turned out, this would be the last winning regular season under Culverhouse's ownership.

Before the 1983 season, Williams bolted to the [[United States Football League]] in a salary dispute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1983-08-10 |title=New U.S.F.L. Club Acquires Williams |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/10/sports/new-usfl-club-acquires-williams.html |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}}</ref> The Bucs lost their first nine games of the 1983 season en route to finishing 2–14, the first of 12 consecutive seasons with at least ten losses—an NFL record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1983 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1983.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Included was the drafting of [[Heisman Trophy]] winner [[Bo Jackson]] with the first pick in the [[1986 NFL draft|1986 draft]].<ref name="q754">{{cite magazine | last=Swinton | first=Elizabeth | title=This Day in Sports History: Bo Jackson Drafted First Overall | magazine=Sports Illustrated | date=2020-04-29 | url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/04/29/this-day-sports-history-bo-jackson-drafted-first-overall | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref> Jackson had let it be known that he would never play a down for Hugh Culverhouse at Tampa Bay.<ref name="k210">{{cite web | agency=Associated Press| title=Accepting Free Ride to Tampa Puts a Finish to Bo Jackson's Athletic Career at Auburn | website=Los Angeles Times | date=1986-03-29 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-29-sp-1415-story.html | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref> Making good on his threat, he opted instead to play baseball for the [[Kansas City Royals]] and would later return for parts of football seasons with the [[Oakland Raiders|Los Angeles Raiders]].<ref name="r228">{{cite web | title=Thirty years ago today, Bo Jackson chose baseball over the NFL | website=FOX Sports | date=2016-06-21 | url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/thirty-years-ago-today-bo-jackson-chose-baseball-over-the-nfl | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bo Jackson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JackBo00.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Along with Williams, who later was a Super Bowl champion QB for Washington, two other Bucs quarterbacks during this era led other teams to Super Bowl wins. [[Steve Young]] won with the 49ers and [[Trent Dilfer]] won with the Baltimore Ravens. In the 1984 season, the team went 6–10 in John McKay's final season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1984 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1984.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name="l266">{{cite web | title=Ex-USC and Tampa Bay Football Coach John McKay Dies | website=USC Trojans Athletics | date=2001-06-10 | url=https://usctrojans.com/news/2001/6/10/Ex_USC_and_Tampa_Bay_Football_Coach_John_McKay_Dies.aspx | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref>

Former Atlanta Falcons' coach Leeman Bennett was named head coach prior to the 1985 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Leeman Bennett Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/BennLe0.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He led the team to consecutive 2–14 finishes in 1985 and 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1985.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/tam/1986.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Bennett was fired following the end of the 1986 season.<ref name="v732">{{cite web | title=Bennett fired as Tampa coach | website=UPI | date=1986-12-29 | url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/12/29/Bennett-fired-as-Tampa-coach/3439536216400/ | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref> Ray Perkins was hired to be the head coach of the Buccaneers prior to the 1987 season.<ref name="u796">{{cite web |title=Ray Perkins, leaving a college football power to take over the National Football League's losingest franchise, called moving from the University of Alabama to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers "the hardest decision" he has ever made.| website=Los Angeles Times | date=1987-01-01 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-01-sp-1566-story.html | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref> Perkins coached for the team for almost four seasons, getting fired during 1990 season.<ref name="m979">{{cite web | agency=Associated Press| title=Bucs' Perkins Wins Game but Loses Job : NFL: Tampa Bay fires its coach a day after the club broke a six-game losing streak. His top assistant, Williamson, will take over. | website=Los Angeles Times | date=1990-12-03 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-12-03-sp-4466-story.html | access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref> Under Perkins's tenure, the team won no more than five games in a single season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ray Perkins Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/PerkRa0.htm |access-date=2024-08-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

Under Culverhouse, the Bucs were one of the NFL's more profitable teams during the 1980s; however, this was largely because he kept the payroll among the lowest in the league, hampering their ability to sign quality players. Attendance also sagged; at one point the Buccaneers went parts of three whole seasons without having a home game televised locally, and when they did it was more attributed to a strong visiting team with a large following in the area, such as the Chicago Bears or [[Green Bay Packers]].

[[Hardy Nickerson]], a future five-time Pro Bowl linebacker, signed as a free agent from the Pittsburgh Steelers. [[John Lynch (American football)|John Lynch]], a future Pro Bowl, and Hall of Fame strong safety, was drafted in 1993. In the [[1995 NFL draft]] the Buccaneers drafted two future Hall of Famers: [[Warren Sapp]] and [[Derrick Brooks]]. Pro Bowl Fullback, [[Mike Alstott]], was drafted the next year in the 1996 draft.