1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season | |
---|---|
Owner | Steve Young |
The 1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 11th season in the
Coach
Offseason
Defensive end Lee Roy Selmon retired a week before the draft. He missed the entire 1985 season due to a herniated disk, and chose to retire rather than undergo surgery. Although his retirement was expected, the Buccaneers did not seek a replacement in the draft.[8] With Mark Cotney and Steve Wilson having retired earlier in the year, Selmon was the last original Buccaneer on the roster.[9][10]
NFL draft
Pick | Round | Player | Position | College |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | Bo Jackson | Running back | Auburn |
25 | 1[I] | Roderick Jones | Defensive back | Southern Methodist |
28 | 2 | Jackie Walker | Linebacker | Jackson State |
40 | 2[I] | Kevin Murphy | Linebacker | Oklahoma |
83 | 4 | Craig Swoope | Defensive back | Illinois |
112 | 5 | J.D. Maarleveld
|
Tackle | Maryland |
165 | 6[II] | Kevin Walker | Defensive back | East Carolina |
223 | 9 | Tommy Barnhardt | Punter
|
North Carolina |
250 | 10 | Benton Reed | Defensive end | Mississippi |
279 | 11 | Mark Drenth | Tackle | Purdue |
306 | 12[III] | Clay Miller | Guard | Michigan |
|
= Pro Bowler | = Hall of Famer |
The Buccaneers received additional picks in the first and second rounds from
The Bo Jackson draft fiasco
There was speculation that owner
Other draft selections
Preseason
Personnel moves
Bennett made efforts in the offseason to address the passing game, and to improve team speed. He held an extra "passing camp" before training camp for all offensive and defensive players involved in the passing game.[25] Establishing the offense was complicated by the situation of not having enough reliable running backs to run a two-back offense. Finding enough speedy receivers to run a three-receiver set was also difficult, as was finding faster defensive backs who could play the man-to-man coverage that Bennett wanted to move to.[26] Cutting safety David Greenwood and trading cornerback John Holt improved the speed of the secondary by opening up starting spots for rookies Jones and Swoope.[27] Former Florida Gators cornerback Vito McKeever, a product of local Dunnellon High School who had played for the USFL Michigan Panthers under Buccaneer defensive coordinator Jim Stanley, was signed toward the end of preseason.[28] The addition of McKeever, who took over Jeremiah Castille's starting spot, meant that three of the four secondary positions turned over from the previous year. The quest for speed in the secondary meant cutting safety and punt returner Mike Prior, who went on to become a mainstay on the Green Bay Packer playoff teams of the 1990s.[29] In an attempt to upgrade the offensive line, five-time Pro Bowl tackle Marvin Powell was brought in. While there was speculation that the New York Jets let him go because he was President of the National Football League Players Association,[30] the Jets were concerned over quarterback Ken O'Brien having been sacked an NFL-record 62 times the previous season, and selected two tackles in the draft. There was sentiment among some teams that, despite his Pro Bowl appearances, Powell was an overrated player who had never lived up to his reputation.[31] Powell performed well for Tampa Bay, but was placed on injured reserve midseason after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.[32] Undrafted free-agent running back Nathan Wonsley emerged in the preseason as a legitimate complement to James Wilder Sr.[33] Tyrone Keys, a defensive end from a team loaded with pass-rushers, and David Williams, a receiver who had led the nation in catches during his junior year, were claimed off waivers from the defending world champion Chicago Bears.[34]
Regular season
1986 roster
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1986 roster | ||||||||
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
|
Linebackers
Defensive backs
Special teams
|
Reserve lists
rookies in italics |
Coaching staff
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1986 coaching staff | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
|
Schedule
Regular season
| ||||||
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 7 | San Francisco 49ers | L 31–7 | 0–1 | Tampa Stadium | 50,780 |
2 | September 14 | Minnesota Vikings | L 23–10 | 0–2 | Tampa Stadium | 34,579 |
3 | September 21 | at Detroit Lions | W 24–20 | 1–2 | Pontiac Silverdome | 38,453 |
4 | September 28 | Atlanta Falcons | L 23–20(OT) | 1–3 | Tampa Stadium | 38,950 |
5 | October 5 | at Los Angeles Rams | L 26–20(OT) | 1–4 | Anaheim Coliseum
|
50,585 |
6 | October 12 | St. Louis Cardinals | L 30–19 | 1–5 | Tampa Stadium | 33,307 |
7 | October 19 | at New Orleans Saints | L 38–7 | 1–6 | Louisiana Superdome
|
43,355 |
8 | October 26 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 27–20 | 1–7 | Arrowhead Stadium | 36,230 |
9 | November 2 | Buffalo Bills | W 34–28 | 2–7 | Tampa Stadium | 32,806 |
10 | November 9 | Chicago Bears | L 23–3 | 2–8 | Tampa Stadium | 70,097 |
11 | November 16 | at Green Bay Packers | L 31–7 | 2–9 | Lambeau Field | 48,271 |
12 | November 23 | Detroit Lions | L 38–17 | 2–10 | Tampa Stadium | 30,029 |
13 | November 30 | at Minnesota Vikings | L 45–13 | 2–11 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome | 56,235 |
14 | December 7 | at Chicago Bears | L 48–14 | 2–12 | Soldier Field | 52,746 |
15 | December 14 | Green Bay Packers | L 21–7 | 2–13 | Tampa Stadium | 30,099 |
16 | December 21 | at St. Louis Cardinals | L 21–17 | 2–14 | Busch Memorial Stadium | 23,957 |
Note: Division opponents in bold text. |
Game summaries
Week 1: vs San Francisco 49ers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
49ers | 14 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 31 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana completed 32 of 46 passes for 356 yards before leaving the game with an injury in the fourth quarter. The injury, similar to the one that ended Lee Roy Selmon's career, would require season-ending surgery and threaten Montana's football future.[48] Steve DeBerg's 31-yard touchdown pass to Gerald Carter in the third quarter brought the Buccaneers to within a touchdown, but they would not score again. The 49ers' seven interceptions of DeBerg were a team record, and one short of the NFL record.[49][50] DeBerg placed blame for the loss on himself, but teammates defended him, pointing out that he was under constant pressure from the 49ers' pass rush. Opposing safety Ronnie Lott said that DeBerg was predictable as to where he would throw the ball when pressured.[51] James Wilder rushed for 81 yards and caught five passes. Selmon's number 63 was retired in a halftime ceremony.[52]
Week 2: vs Minnesota Vikings
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vikings | 10 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
Buccaneers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Early in the first quarter, James Wilder tipped a pass from Steve DeBerg into the hands of Vikings linebacker Chris Doleman, who returned it for a touchdown. Wilder took a helmet to the sternum on this play, leaving a deep bruise that caused him to miss the next two games, and reduced his effectiveness for the remainder of the season.[53] Seventeen seconds later, Scott Studwell recovered a Wilder fumble at the Tampa Bay 18-yard line, leading to a Viking field goal. The Buccaneers added a Donald Igwebuike field goal before the end of the quarter, but the Vikings answered it with a touchdown pass from Tommy Kramer to Mike Mularkey. DeBerg's 1-yard touchdown pass to Jimmie Giles brought the Buccaneers to within a touchdown before halftime, but they were unable to score in the second half.[54] The Buccaneers outperformed the Vikings in a number of statistical categories, but could not overcome the turnovers.[55]
Week 3: at Detroit Lions
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
Lions | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
at Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan
With running back James Wilder nursing a bruised sternum, Nathan Wonsley rushed for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Wonsley became the first Buccaneer running back, other than Wilder, to rush for 100 yards since Nov. 29, 1981. He was the first Tampa Bay rookie to rush for 100 yards since Jerry Eckwood in 1979. Wonsley followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers, George and Otis, both backup NFL running backs who came off the bench to have breakout games while leading their respective teams to victory against the Lions.[56] Constant Buccaneer blitzes resulted in four sacks, two interceptions, and six forced fumbles. Although Lions quarterback Eric Hipple had a good statistical day, completing 31 passes for 318 yards, the Tampa Bay defense's pressure prevented him from converting his opportunities into points. The win broke Tampa Bay's 19-game road losing streak.[57]
Week 4: vs Atlanta Falcons
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 23 |
Buccaneers | 3 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
The Atlanta Falcons overcame a 20–7 halftime deficit to defeat the Buccaneers in overtime on a Mick Luckhurst field goal. The strategy of running out the clock with a conservative offense that had worked so well against the Lions the previous week backfired against the Falcons. The Buccaneers' offensive line failed to dominate, and the Falcons wound up running 57 offensive plays in the second half, while the Buccaneers ran only 26. Twenty of those plays were runs by Gerald Riggs, who finished the day with 127 yards rushing.[58] The Buccaneers outgained the Falcons 255 yards to 190 in the first half, but were outgained 300 yards to 68 in the second half, in which the Buccaneers never advanced beyond midfield.[59] The win left Atlanta undefeated at 4–0.
Week 5: at Los Angeles Rams
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 20 |
Rams | 14 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 26 |
at
Eric Dickerson earned his fourth career 200-yard rushing game with a 42-yard touchdown run to win the game in overtime for the Los Angeles Rams. Steve Young led an 80-yard drive in the fourth quarter that ended in a Donald Igwebuike field goal and sent the game into overtime, but the Buccaneers were unable to stop Dickerson all day. It was the second consecutive overtime loss for the Buccaneers. Nathan Wonsley rushed 18 times for 108 yards and a 59-yard touchdown run. Young also ran for a touchdown.[60] Bennett was again criticized after the game for conservative play-calling, although the Buccaneers' total of 174 rushing yards was more than double the average the Rams had allowed in their previous four games. The game left Wonsley as the NFL leader in rushing average, with 5.7 yards per carry.[61] Dickerson continued to lead the NFL in rushing with 657 yards, 159 ahead of his record-setting pace from 1984.[62]
Week 6: vs St. Louis Cardinals
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardinals | 0 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 30 |
Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 19 |
The Buccaneers were once again criticized for poor tackling and conservative play-calling following a loss to a previously winless St. Louis Cardinals team. This time, complaints came from the players as the Cardinals seemed to know in advance which plays the Buccaneers would be running, and the Buccaneers waited until too late in the game to make adjustments.[63][64] The Buccaneers led early, after Steve DeBerg's touchdown pass to Calvin Magee on a fake field goal. Steve Young's rushing and passing combined for 304 of the Buccaneers' 347 yards. The Cardinals unexpectedly used a soft zone defense instead of their usual blitzing, which contributed to Tampa Bay's decision to avoid the passing game until the fourth quarter. The Cardinals put the game away with Stump Mitchell's 31-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run, in which three Buccaneers missed tackles.[65] Ron Holmes, Jeremiah Castille, Marvin Powell, and Gerald Carter all missed the game with injuries.[66]
Week 7: at New Orleans Saints
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Saints | 10 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
at
Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 3 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 20 |
Chiefs | 7 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
Veteran quarterback Bill Kenney, making the start for the Kansas City Chiefs in place of the struggling Todd Blackledge, completed 15 of 29 passes for 230 yards and a touchdown. The Chiefs' offensive line protected Kenney well, allowing only one sack and few hurries. Although the Buccaneers led at halftime on a 10-yard pass from Steve Young to Calvin Magee and two Donald Igwebuike field goals, they were unable to hold the lead in the second half. They tied the game at 20 on a fourth-quarter touchdown run, James Wilder's first of the year, but immediately allowed the Chiefs to drive the length of the field for the winning touchdown. The sloppily played game included four fumbles, six sacks, two interceptions, and 17 penalties for 146 yards. Art Still contributed three of the Chiefs' five sacks.[68]
Week 9: vs Buffalo Bills
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bills | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 28 |
Buccaneers | 10 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 34 |
The Buccaneers took a 20–0 halftime lead over the Buffalo Bills after recovering fumbles on two kickoffs and held on for the victory, with a pass from Bills quarterback Jim Kelly falling incomplete in the end zone on the last play of the game. Steve Young completed 14 of 24 passes for 193 yards, and ran for two touchdowns. James Wilder also contributed a 45-yard touchdown run. The Bills only threw two passes in the first half but opened up the gameplan in the second, with Kelly completing 21 of 32 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns in the last two quarters. The rally fell short, the Bills lost their 31st consecutive road game, and Buffalo coach Hank Bullough was fired and replaced by Marv Levy days later.
In the postgame news conference, Bucs coach Leeman Bennett declared the win to be "the start of a new season." However, it would be the last victory for Tampa Bay during his coaching tenure.[69][70]
Week 10: vs Chicago Bears
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bears | 14 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
Buccaneers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Doug Flutie made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter for the Chicago Bears. The Bears took an early 14–0 lead after Mike Tomczak's 37-yard touchdown pass to Willie Gault. The play occurred after Ervin Randle's recovery of a Calvin Thomas fumble was nullified due to an offsides penalty on Craig Swoope. While the Buccaneers' defense improved later in the game, it was not enough to overcome the problems of the injury-battered offense.[71] Nathan Wonsley suffered a broken neck while making a tackle on the opening kickoff. This was followed by injuries to Jerry Bell, Phil Freeman, Craig Swoope, and Willie Gillespie. Calvin Magee played with a prior injury, as did James Wilder and Leonard Harris, though both were forced to leave the game. With Gerald Carter left as the only experienced receiver, the Bears keyed on him, and with Bell, Wonsley and Wilder out, the Buccaneers could not run.[72]
Week 11: at Green Bay Packers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Packers | 14 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 31 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
With James Wilder leaving the game after aggravating his rib injury, the Buccaneers were unable to take advantage of Green Bay Packers quarterback Randy Wright's three interceptions. Wright completed 18 of 29 passes for 238 yards, with a career-best three first-half touchdowns. The win was only the Packers' second of the season.[73] The loss left the Buccaneers' defense in last place in the league, despite their having spent four of their first five draft picks on defensive players.[74]
Week 12: vs Detroit Lions
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lions | 7 | 7 | 14 | 10 | 38 |
Buccaneers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
Three first-half possessions deep in Detroit Lions territory led to zero Buccaneer points en route to another blowout loss. Lions receiver Jeff Chadwick took a 73-yard reception to the Buccaneers' 1-yard line when Rod Jones fell down while covering him. Jones also got beaten by Leonard Thompson on a jump ball in the end zone. Vito McKeever was outrun by Chadwick on the Lions' third score.[75] James Wilder had 130 yards rushing and 71 yards receiving for the Buccaneers.[76]
Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 13 |
Vikings | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 | 45 |
at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis
With Tommy Kramer injured, Vikings quarterback Wade Wilson threw for a career-best 339 yards and three touchdowns.[77] With Tampa Bay down by 45–6, Steve DeBerg's 45-yard pass to Calvin Magee set up a 1-yard touchdown pass to Ron Heller on a tackle-eligible play. The Buccaneers' only other offense came on two Donald Igwebuike field goals.[78][79]
Week 14: at Chicago Bears
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
Bears | 7 | 21 | 14 | 6 | 48 |
at Soldier Field, Chicago
The Buccaneers almost exceeded their worst-ever loss, a 42–0 loss to
Week 15: vs Green Bay Packers
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Packers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
at Tampa Stadium, Tampa, Florida
The Green Bay Packers had seven different players each contribute a sack, and Randy Wright's 190 yards passing made him the second player in Packers history to throw for 3,000 yards in a season. The crowd cheered the news that an Indianapolis Colts win moved the Buccaneers into first place for the rights to the first overall draft pick, and pelted Buccaneer players with lemons.[84] Ron Holmes's sack of Wright was the Buccaneers' first since October 12, and Ivory Sully recorded the first blocked punt in Buccaneers regular-season history. Both teams went to their second-string quarterbacks in the second half, but Steve Young returned to the game after Steve DeBerg suffered a concussion, and Wright was reinserted after the Buccaneers threatened to start a comeback.[85]
Week 16: at St. Louis Cardinals
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 17 |
Cardinals | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
at
St. Louis Cardinals Pro Bowl rookie Vai Sikahema tied an NFL record by returning two punts for touchdowns as the Buccaneers clinched the NFL's worst record for the second consecutive year. Frank Garcia, playing with a back injury, had a third punt blocked for a net gain of 1 yard.[86] The Buccaneers scored first, on a 1-yard Bobby Howard run, but the Cardinals' 21 unanswered points gave them the lead for good before halftime. A 33-yard touchdown pass from Steve Young to Phil Freeman brought the Buccaneers to within 4 points in the third quarter. The game not only ended a futile season for the Buccaneers, but also concluded the Cardinals’ worst season since moving to St. Louis 27 years earlier.[87]
Standings
NFC Central | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
Chicago Bears(2) | 14 | 2 | 0 | .875 | 7–1 | 10–2 | 352 | 187 | W7 |
Minnesota Vikings | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 6–2 | 8–4 | 398 | 273 | W1 |
Detroit Lions | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 3–5 | 4–8 | 277 | 326 | L4 |
Green Bay Packers | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 3–5 | 3–9 | 254 | 418 | L1 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 1–7 | 1–13 | 239 | 473 | L7 |
References
- ^ Shepard, Andreas; ‘Historical DVOA Estimates’; Football Outsiders
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Future uncertain for Bennett and the Bucs". The Lakeland Ledger. 1 December 1986
- ^ Harig, Bob. "Changes are few for Bucs". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 1 September 1986
- ^ Scanlon, Dick. "Bennett sees no progress". The Lakeland Ledger. 31 August 1986
- ^ a b Mizell, Hubert. "This is a step, but in what direction?" St. Petersburg Times. 30 December 1986
- ^ Luttermoser, John. "30 Seasons: 1976–2005. From Sinking Ship to World-Class Cruise". St. Petersburg Times. 11 September 2005
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Giles says Tampa fired wrong man". The Ledger (Lakeland). 30 December 1986
- ^ Associated Press. "Lee Roy Selmon ends NFL career". Penn State Daily Collegian. 24 April 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Another Original Buccaneer is Gone". The Ledger. 9 January 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Bucs' Wilson Officially Retires". The Ledger. 7 February 1986
- ^ "BUCPOWER.COM". Archived from the original on October 13, 2009. Retrieved March 22, 2009.
- ^ Wire dispatches. "NCAA rules Jackson ineligible for baseball". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 29 March 1986
- ^ a b c Looney, Douglas S. "Bo's Not One To Go With the Flow". Sports Illustrated. 14 July 1986
- ^ United Press International. "Draft takes unexpected defensive turn". The Courier. 29 April 1986
- ^ Harwell, Hoyt. "Bo shuns "bucks", signs with KC". Gainesville Sun. 22 June 1986
- ^ Scanlon, Dick. "Bucs may get offer they can't refuse". The Lakeland Ledger. 25 April 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Jackson's decision still under analysis". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 30 June 1986
- ^ Zucco, Tom. "Culverhouse says huge offer still is available to Jackson". St. Petersburg Times. 12 September 1986
- ^ Rand, Jonathan. 300 Pounds of Attitude: The Wildest Stories and Craziest Characters the NFL Has Ever Seen. Globe Pequot, 2006. pp.101–102
- ^ Wire report. "Bo Jackson seems set on baseball". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 21 June 1986
- ^ Banks, Don. "Murphy has the drive to reach top of the charts". St. Petersburg Times. 13 June 1986
- ^ Flanagan, Mike. "Bucs' picks make a case for defense". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 30 April 1986
- ^ Reinwald, Pete. "Goodbye and Hello". St. Petersburg Times. 8 September 1986
- ^ Zucco, Tom. "Agent advises Maarleveld to forget Bucs". St. Petersburg Times. 23 July 1986
- ^ Flanagan, Mike. "Bucs' Bennett serves notice he wants better passing game". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 13 May 1986
- ^ Steele, David. "Bucs' USFL refugees make their debut". St. Petersburg Times. 23 August 1986
- ^ Zucco, Tom. "Bucs trade Holt to Colts for '87 7th-round pick". St. Petersburg Times. 14 August 1986
- ^ Steele, David. "Bucs punter playing QB? It's possible". St. Petersburg Times. 27 August 1986
- ^ Steele, David. "Bucs start to take shape as eight players cut". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 26 August 1986
- ^ "Bucs get Powell from Jets". The Lakeland Ledger. 20 May 1986
- ^ Steele, David. "Bucs pick up former All-Pro". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 20 May 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Bucs look for jolt to sagging offense". The Lakeland Ledger. 16 October 1986
- ^ Jones, Tom. "Nathan Wonsley had Bucs feeling positive". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 18 August 1986
- ^ Fry, Darrell. "Ex-Bears Keys, Williams a natural fit with Bucs". St. Petersburg Times. 4 September 1986
- ^ a b Zier, Patrick. "Bucs believe they can turn it around". The Lakeland Ledger. 8 September 1986
- ^ Zucco, Tom. "Losing for a living takes its toll in Tyrone Keys". St. Petersburg Times. 27 October 1986
- ^ Cooney, Frank. "Controversy always finds Steve Young". The San Francisco Examiner. 18 November 1988
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Bucs pick up ex-Dolphin Carter to shore up offense". The Lakeland Ledger. 23 October 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Tampa eyes more Monday shockers". The Lakeland Ledger. 22 October 1986
- ^ Zucco, Tom. "Report that Spurrier may take over Bucs called false". St. Petersburg Times. 31 October 1986
- ^ Steele, David. "Bucs sign Springs for full pay and guarantee him playing time". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 12 November 1986
- ^ Luttermoser, John. "Help wanted: Culverhouse fires Bennett". St. Petersburg Times. 30 December 1986
- ^ Luttermoser, John, and Bob Harig. "Perkins is expected to take Buc job". St. Petersburg Times. 31 October 1986
- ^ Scanlon, Dick. "Ex-Buc Still Harsh on Team". The Lakeland Ledger. 15 December 1986
- ^ List of Buccaneers players on bucpower.com. Accessed May 23, 2009. Archived 2009-05-27.
- ^ All-time player roster at buccaneers.com Archived 2009-09-13 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed May 23, 2009. Archived 2009-05-27.
- ^ Buccaneers All-Time Coaches Roster Archived 2010-01-15 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 18 June 2009. Archived 2009-06-17.
- ^ UPI. "Montana's career may be over". The Bulletin. 15 September 1986
- ^ Harig, Bob. "Rout leaves Bucs in shock". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 9 September 1986
- ^ Flanagan, Mike. "This time, 49ers look good in opener". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 9 September 1986
- ^ St. Petersburg Times. 8 September 1986
- ^ Scanlon, Dick. "Montana's success makes it fun for tight end Francis". The Lakeland Ledger. 8 September 1986
- ^ Steele, David. "Chest injury may sideline Wilder again". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 25 September 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Vikes dump Bucs, 23–10". The Lakeland Ledger. 15 September 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Powell finds it hard to get used to losing". The Lakeland Ledger. 15 September 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Wonsley curse hits Lions again". Lakeland Ledger. 22 September 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Blitzes pay off for Tampa Bay". Lakeland Ledger. 22 September 1986
- ^ Jones, Tom. "Bucs play it safe, and it backfires". St. Petersburg Evening Independent.
- ^ Steele, David. "Horrible half dooms Bucs in overtime loss". St. Petersburg Evening Independent. 26 September 1986
- ^ Peters, Ken. "Dickerson sends Bucs home overtime losers". The Gainesville Sun. 6 October 1986
- ^ Associated Press. "Bennett Has Buccaneers Playing Close to the Collar". Ocala Star-Banner. 7 October 1986
- ^ Peters, Ken. "Dickerson back on track after disappointing 1985". The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. 7 October 1986
- ^ Proctor, Darrell. "Bucs' defense treats Cards like fine china". St. Petersburg Times. 13 October 1986
- ^ Zucco, Tom. "The point is, Bucs must win when they have chance". St. Petersburg Times. 13 October 1986
- ^ Johnson, Mark. "Bucs start off on right track, then stumble 30–19". St. Petersburg Times. 13 October 1986
- ^ Zucco, Tom. "Bennett has the look of a beaten man after another tough defeat". St. Petersburg Times. 14 October 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Bucs get plastered by Saints". The Lakeland Ledger. 20 October 1986
- ^ Associated Press. "Kenney Enjoys Fine Day Against Bucs' Secondary". The Ocala Star-Banner. 27 October 1986
- ^ Goodall, Fred. "Tampa Bay Bucs Start 'New' Season With a Win". The Gainesville Sun. 3 November 1986
- ^ Associated Press. "Bills fire Bullough, hire Levy". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 4 November 1986
- ^ Scanlon, Dick. "Chicago turned lights out early on ailing Tampa Bay". The Lakeland Ledger. 10 November 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Buccaneer injuries kill hopes of upset". The Lakeland Ledger. 10 November 1986
- ^ Mayers, Jeff. "Pack happy for win, even over the Bucs". The Gainesville Sun. 17 November 1986
- ^ Associated Press. "Bennett Has Faith in Bucs' Defense". Ocala Star- Banner. 18 November 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Detroit Crushes Bucs, 38–17". The Lakeland Ledger. 24 November 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Vintage Wilder still not enough for Bucs". The Lakeland Ledger. 24 November 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Vikes' blizzard buries Bucs". The Lakeland Ledger. 1 December 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Heller shows he can catch the ball too". The Lakeland Ledger. 1 December 1986
- ^ Associated Press. "Wilson, Vikes Sparkle Against Bucs". The Ocala Star-Banner. 1 December 1986
- ^ Luttermoser, John. "Bears trounce hapless Bucs again, 48–14". St. Petersburg Times. 8 December 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Tampa Bay gets touchdown on craziest play of season". The Lakeland Ledger. 8 December 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Bears maul Bucs, 48–14". The Lakeland Ledger. 8 December 1986
- ^ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Public Relations Department. 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Media Guide
- ^ Wire reports. "Tampa moves on top: Vinny Stakes lead to Bucs". The Boca Raton News. 15 December 1986
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Bucs lose another one, 21–7". The Lakeland Ledger. 15 December 1986
- ^ Greene, Jerry. "Returns sink Bucs to top". Orlando Sentinel. 22 December 1986
- ^ Associated Press. "Bad Hand of Cards for Bucs". Ocala Star-Banner. 22 December 1986