2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season | |
---|---|
Owner | Malcolm Glazer |
Head coach | Jon Gruden |
Home field | Raymond James Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 4–12 |
Division place | 4th NFC South |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | 3
|
AP All-Pros | CB Ronde Barber (2nd team) |
Team MVP | WR Joey Galloway |
The 2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 31st season in the National Football League (NFL), the 9th playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium, and the 5th under head coach Jon Gruden.
The team failed to improve on their 11–5 record in 2005, tumbled to a 4–12 record and missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.
Summary
After winning their division in 2005, the Buccaneers suffered through an abysmal 2006 season. The season was plagued by injuries, with starters such as G
There was more to the lost season than just injuries, as most of the players put on injured reserve had been done so after the team's 0–3 start, and offensive shutouts in the first two games in which no touchdowns were scored by the Buccaneers. The departure of several key defensive coaches and assistants didn't bode well with players, who complained to some in the media of not being able to hear coaches in team meetings.
Inconsistent and unorganized are how some players referred to one of the newcomers, who most players had a hard time making the transition from longtime favorites Rod Marinelli and others. Some believe the problems in 2006 were rooted in recent years mistakes, lack of salary cap room to bring in high impact free agents, lack of top 50 draft picks over the last 5 or 6 years due to trades, and maybe even a failure to properly assess talent resulting in a lack of contribution from second day draft picks in recent history.
The Bucs started off the season 0–3, with QB Chris Simms throwing only 1 touchdown to 7 interceptions. In the third game of the season, a last-minute loss to the Carolina Panthers, Simms's spleen was ruptured, and he was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season. After their bye week, the Bucs elected to start rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, a 6th-round pick from Toledo.
Gradkowski started off performing decently. People who in hindsight claim the Bucs should have started the more experienced Tim Rattay forget the Bucs nearly upset the New Orleans Saints, and then went on to win two narrow victories: one, against the Cincinnati Bengals, winning on an overturned call resulting in a touchdown; and another against the Philadelphia Eagles, thanks to Matt Bryant’s 62-yard field goal. After these victories, though, Gradkowski’s performance declined. After a 3–17 loss to the New York Giants in heavy winds, the Bucs proceeded to lose 5 of their next 6 games, leading them to a record of 3–10 (0–6 in their division). In the loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Gradkowski was replaced in the 4th quarter by Rattay.
In the first half of the Bucs' next game, against the Chicago Bears, Gradkowski was again replaced by Rattay, who led the team from a 24–3 deficit to a score of 31–31, with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter. However, the Bucs then lost the game in overtime, 34–31. Rattay was then named the new starting quarterback for the last two games for the season. The Bucs finished their season with a 4–12 record, tied for third worst in the NFL. The overall defense was ranked in the low 20s, the first time a Tampa defense was not ranked in the top ten since 1996.
The Bucs sent three players to the
It was also the final season for longtime fullback Mike Alstott. Although he was on the roster the following season, he was unable to play due to a preseason neck injury against New England.
Offseason
In the
After a potential season-ending injury to backup quarterback Luke McCown, the Buccaneers signed veteran quarterback Jay Fiedler to back up Chris Simms on June 29. The signing maintains the four-deep status of the backup quarterback position, as Tim Rattay, Jared Allen, and Bruce Gradkowski are still on the roster (as of July 18). Additionally, the team signed two-year veteran tight end Matt Kranchick to replace T.J. Williams, who was lost for the season due to injury, as noted above.
Staff
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Roster
Preseason
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played four
- August 11 BUCCANEERS 16, Jets 3
- August 19 Dolphins 13, BUCCANEERS 10
- August 26 Jaguars 29, Buccaneers 18
- August 31 Texans 16, Buccaneers 13
Schedule
In the 2006 regular season, the Bucs’ non-divisional conference opponents were primarily from the NFC East, although they also played the Seattle Seahawks who headed the 2005 NFC West, and the Chicago Bears who had headed the 2005 NFC North. Their non-conference opponents were from the AFC North.
Week | Date | Kickoff (ET) | Opponent | Results | Game Site | TV | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Final score | Team record | |||||||
1 | September 10 | 1:00 pm | Baltimore Ravens | L 0–27 | 0–1 | Raymond James Stadium | CBS | |
2 | September 17 | 1:00 pm | at Atlanta Falcons | L 3–14 | 0–2 | Georgia Dome | Fox | |
3 | September 24 | 1:00 pm | Carolina Panthers | L 24–26 | 0–3 | Raymond James Stadium | Fox | |
4 | Bye Week | |||||||
5 | October 8 | 1:00 pm | at New Orleans Saints | L 21–24 | 0–4 | Louisiana Superdome
|
Fox | |
6 | October 15 | 1:00 pm | Cincinnati Bengals | W 14–13 | 1–4 | Raymond James Stadium | CBS | |
7 | October 22 | 1:00 pm | Philadelphia Eagles | W 23–21 | 2–4 | Raymond James Stadium | Fox | |
8 | October 29 | 1:00 pm | at New York Giants | L 3–17 | 2–5 | Giants Stadium | Fox | |
9 | November 5 | 1:00 pm | New Orleans Saints | L 14–31 | 2–6 | Raymond James Stadium | Fox | |
10 | November 13 | 8:00 pm | at Carolina Panthers | L 10–24 | 2–7 | Bank of America Stadium | ESPN
| |
11 | November 19 | 1:00 pm | Washington Redskins | W 20–17 | 3–7 | Raymond James Stadium | Fox | |
12 | November 23 | 4:15 pm | at Dallas Cowboys | L 10–38 | 3–8 | Texas Stadium | Fox | |
13 | December 3 | 4:15 pm | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 3–20 | 3–9 | Heinz Field
|
Fox | |
14 | December 10 | 1:00 pm | Atlanta Falcons | L 6–17 | 3–10 | Raymond James Stadium | Fox | |
15 | December 17 | 1:00 pm | at Chicago Bears | L 31–34 (OT) | 3–11 | Soldier Field | Fox | |
16 | December 24 | 1:00 pm | at Cleveland Browns | W 22–7 | 4–11 | Cleveland Browns Stadium | Fox | |
17 | December 31 | 1:00 pm | Seattle Seahawks | L 7–23 | 4–12 | Raymond James Stadium | Fox | |
Division games are in bold text. |
- Indicates the Thanksgiving Day game.
- Indicates game is Monday Night Football.
Standings
NFC South | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(2) New Orleans Saints | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 9–3 | 413 | 322 | L1 |
Carolina Panthers | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 5–1 | 6–6 | 270 | 305 | W2 |
Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 292 | 328 | L3 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 0–6 | 2–10 | 211 | 353 | L1 |
Regular season
Week 1: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ravens | 7 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 27 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
- Game attendance: 65,087
- TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
The Buccaneers opened the regular season at home against
Week 2: at Atlanta Falcons
The Bucs went to the
Week 3: vs. Carolina Panthers
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Panthers | 10 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 26 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 24 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM J.C. Pearson
The Bucs played one of their most heated rivals,
Week 4: Open date
The Buccaneers bye week was scheduled for week 4.
Week 5: at New Orleans Saints
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Saints | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
at
- Game time: 1:00 PM J.C. Pearson
Coming off their bye week, the Buccaneers were still looking for their first win of the season. The Bucs traveled to the
Week 6: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 0 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
- Game attendance: 65,732
- TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
The Bucs were predicted by many as an underdog by several sports commentators to defeat the 3–1 Bengals, and they pulled off an upset win, with Bruce Gradkowski throwing 2 touchdowns, and Cadillac Williams running for 94 yards. With 34 seconds remaining in the 4th quarter, Gradkowkski threw a pass to wide receiver
Week 7: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eagles | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 23 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
- Game attendance: 65,808
- TV announcers (Fox): Brad Sham and Brian Baldinger
The Bucs entered week 7 against an Eagles team looking to build upon their 14–13 win over the Bengals. The Bucs defense stepped up big early, particularly Ronde Barber, who returned two Donovan McNabb interceptions for touchdowns. The Bucs however blew a 17-point lead when Brian Westbrook scored on a 52-yard touchdown with 33 seconds left. With two timeouts remaining, the Bucs drove to the Philadelphia 45-yard line with 4 seconds left. Kicker Matt Bryant then converted on an improbable, franchise record 62-yard field goal as time expired to give the Bucs a 23–21 victory. Ironically, the kick was the same distance Bengals' Shayne Graham missed from the previous week. The Bucs improved to 2–4. The kick was one yard short of the NFL record (63 yards) and the second-longest game-winning field goal in NFL history.
With an announced crowd of 65,808 the game stands as the highest-attended regular season Buccaneers game all-time at Raymond James Stadium.
Week 8: at New York Giants
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Giants | 7 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 17 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM
Hoping to build on their dramatic home win over the Eagles, the Buccaneers flew to Giants Stadium for their Week 8 game with the New York Giants. Bucs CB Ronde Barber would be facing his brother, RB Tiki Barber for the last time in NFL competition as the latter planned to retire after the season. In the first quarter, Tampa Bay fell behind early, as QB Eli Manning completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Bucs' woes continued as Giants RB Brandon Jacobs got a 1-yard TD run. Kicker Matt Bryant would get Tampa Bay a 43-yard field goal, but that would all of the points that the Bucs would get, because after a scoreless third quarter, Giants kicker Jay Feely kicked a 31-yard field goal to put the game away. With their loss, the Buccaneers fell to 2–5.
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saints | 14 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 31 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM EST
- Game attendance: 65,561
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Giants, the Buccaneers went home for an NFC South rematch with the New Orleans Saints. In the first quarter, the Bucs trailed early as Saints QB Drew Brees completed a 15-yard TD pass to WR Marques Colston and a 52-yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson. In the second quarter, kicker John Carney helped New Orleans improve its lead with a 46-yard field goal. Tampa Bay would valiantly fight back, as QB Bruce Gradkowski completed a 44-yard TD pass and a 17-yard TD pass to WR Joey Galloway, but that would be as close as they would get. In the third quarter, Saints pulled away with RB Deuce McAllister completing a 3-yard TD run and Brees completing a 45-yard TD pass to Henderson. With a scoreless second half, the Bucs would fall to 2–6.
Week 10: at Carolina Panthers
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
Panthers | 0 | 0 | 17 | 7 | 24 |
- Game time: 8:30 PM EST
- Game attendance: 73,573
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann, and Tony Kornheiser
The Buccaneers travelled to
Week 11: vs. Washington Redskins
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redskins | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
Buccaneers | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM EST
- Game attendance: 65,699
- TV announcers (Fox): Matt Devlin and Bill Maas
Hoping to rebound from their three-game losing streak, the Buccaneers went home for rematch of last season's NFC Wildcard match-up with
Week 12: at Dallas Cowboys
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Cowboys | 7 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 38 |
- Game time: 4:15 PM EST (Thursday)
- Game attendance: 63,183
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
Hoping to build on their home win over the Redskins, the Buccaneers flew to Texas Stadium for a Thanksgiving game against the Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, the Bucs capped off their opening driver with FB Mike Alstott getting a 1-yard TD run. However, the Cowboys responded with QB Tony Romo getting a 30-yard TD pass to WR Terry Glenn. In the second quarter, Romo and Glenn hooked up with each other again on a 2-yard TD pass. The Bucs could only respond with kicker Matt Bryant getting a 46-yard field goal. Dallas would respond with Romo getting a 1-yard TD pass to RB Marion Barber. In the third quarter, Romo and Barber would hook up with each other again on a 2-yard TD pass, with Romo also hooking up with WR Terrell Owens on a 7-yard TD pass. In the fourth quarter, kicker Mike Vanderjagt would close out the scoring with a 22-yard field goal. With the loss, the Bucs fell to 3–8.
Week 13: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Steelers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
at
- Game time: 4:15 PM EST
- Game attendance: 59,843
- TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts and Jesse Palmer
Week 14: vs. Atlanta Falcons
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 0 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 17 |
Buccaneers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM EST
- Game attendance: 65,691
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston
Trying to snap a two-game losing skid, the Buccaneers went home for an NFC South rematch with the Atlanta Falcons. In the first half, the Bucs jumped out to an early lead as kicker Matt Bryant got a 42-yard field goal in the first quarter, while nailing a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter. However, for the rest of the game, it was all Atlanta. In the third quarter, the Falcons took the lead with OLB Demorrio Williams returning a fumble 54 yards for a touchdown, while FB Justin Griffith got a 21-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Atlanta wrapped up their season sweep over Tampa Bay with kicker Morten Andersen nailing a 23-yard field goal. With the loss, the Buccaneers fell to 3–10.
Week 15: at Chicago Bears
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 0 | 3 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 31 |
Bears | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 34 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM EST
- Game attendance: 62,260
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and Daryl Johnston
The Bears entered week 15 of the NFL season hoping to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Chicago led 24–3 with 5:22 left in the third quarter and were en route to winning their third straight. During the first quarter, the Bucs had only reached 80 yards in total offense. Coach Jon Gruden sent in back-up Tim Rattay, who completed 20 of 35 for 268 yards with 3 touchdowns and one interception as the Bucs battled back to tie the game up at 31 during the fourth quarter. A controversial move was made by Chicago Bears' head coach Lovie Smith as he decided to let time expire during the fourth quarter and thus send the game into overtime. Tampa Bay won the coin toss, and both teams had three possessions in overtime. After missing earlier in the overtime period, Robbie Gould connected on a 27-yard field goal with 3:37 remaining to give the Bears the victory, 34–31. This loss sent the struggling Buccaneers to 3–11 which secured last place in the NFC South standings.
Week 16: at Cleveland Browns
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Buccaneers | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 22 |
Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM J.C. Pearson
Trying to end a four-game losing skid, the Buccaneers flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for a Week 16 interconference fight with the Cleveland Browns on Christmas Eve. In the first half, the Bucs got off to a decent start with kicker Matt Bryant nailing a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Tampa Bay increased its lead RB Michael Pittman's 11-yard TD run (following PAT was blocked). In the fourth quarter, the Pewter Pirates’ defense got a chance to score with OLB Derrick Brooks returning an interception 21 yards for a touchdown. Afterwards, the Browns would get their only score of the game as CB Daven Holly returned a fumble 40 yards for a touchdown. After that, the Bucs wrapped the game up with Bryant's 37-yard field goal. With the win, the Buccaneers improved to 4–11.
Week 17: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seahawks | 10 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
Buccaneers | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
- Game time: 1:00 PM J.C. Pearson
Trying to end their season on a high note on