False Start: The 1976 Tampa Bay Dynasty

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1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers


Head Coach: John McKay

Owner: Hugh Culverhouse

Home Field: Tampa Stadium "The Big Sombrero"

Tampa Bay comes into the NFL in the AFC West. Along with the expansion team Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. The Last two Super Bowls have been won by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Most recently a 21-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. The NFL has made face masking a penalty starting in this year.

Tampa Bay's first head coach is John McKay, a four time National Championship head coach at USC. McKay turned down Seattle.

"I promise to beat Pittsburgh's timetable." - John Mckay

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Super Bowl Winners:

I Green Bay Packers 35–10 Kansas City Chiefs
II Green Bay Packers 33–14 Oakland Raiders
III New York Jets 16–7 Baltimore Colts
IV Kansas City Chiefs 23–7 Minnesota Vikings
V Baltimore Colts 16–13 Dallas Cowboys
VI Dallas Cowboys 24–3 Miami Dolphins
VII Miami Dolphins 14–7 Washington Redskins
VIII Miami Dolphins 24–7 Minnesota Vikings
IX Pittsburgh Steelers 16–6 Minnesota Vikings
X Pittsburgh Steelers 21–17 Dallas Cowboys

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AP NFL MVP:

1966 Bart Starr Green Bay Packers Quarterback

1967 Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts Quarterback

1968 Earl Morrall Baltimore Colts Quarterback

1969 Roman Gabriel Los Angeles Rams Quarterback

1970 John Brodie San Francisco 49ers Quarterback

1971 Alan Page Minnesota Vikings Defensive Tackle

1972 Larry Brown Washington Redskins Running Back

1973 O.J. Simpson Buffalo Bills Running Back

1974 Ken Stabler Oakland Raiders Quarterback

1975 Fran Tarkenton Minnesota Vikings Quarterback

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Tampa Bay First Round Draft Picks First Overall NFL Draft Pick

1976: Lee Roy Selmon DE Oklahoma NFL: Lee Roy Selmon Tampa Bay DE Oklahoma

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Tampa Bay Team Leaders:

Passing:

Rushing:

Receiving:

Tackles:

Sacks:

Interceptions:

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching History:

John McKay:
1976:

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1976 Preseason


Released:
Larry Lawrence QB
Louis Carter RB
Jimmy DuBose FB
Vince Kendrick FB
Brian Carlson TE
John Ward G
Todd ROberts P
Glenn Robinson DE
Jim Peterson LB
Steve Reese LB
Mike Lemon LB
Don Martin S
Frank Oliver S

Position Changes:
Joe Blahak S to CB

Coaches Corner: McKay called the players' performance "unaggressive, uninspiring, lethargic, and unacceptable" when speaking of training camp and exhibition games.

(There are a few players not on the team that historically were at the start of the 1976 season. Those trades/draft picks are either considered cut or never to have happened. All other trades and picks are to have happened. Example: The trade for Steve Spurrier happened and Harold Hart's pick up in the expansion draft never happened.)

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The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart:

QB:
Steve Spurrier
Terry Hanratty
Parnell Dickinson Rookie

Probably going to be a long season with this stable of QB's. Spurrier and Hanratty both being back ups in SF and Pittsburgh. Both seeing mixed results. Hanratty has some Super Bowl experience. Dickinson is a 7th round rookie out of Mississippi Valley State. He may see some time on the field, just don't expect much out of him.

RB:
Essex Johnson
Rod McNeill
Charlie Davis

The only bright spot is Johnson. Even that isn't too bright since he's 29 and declining. McNeill and Davis are marginal NFL RB's.

FB:
Ed Williams
Manfred Moore

Two decent FB's here. Nothing flashy or of Pro Bowl quality.

TE:
Bob Moore
Fred Pagac
Jack Novak

Yet another position of poor quality. Moore is the clear starter but he's not that good to begin with.

WR:
Morris Owens
Isaac Hagins Rookie
Barry Smith
John McKay Rookie
Freddie Douglas Rookie
Lee McGriff Rookie

A very weak crop of wideouts. John McKay is the coaches son. How's that for a way on to an NFL club?

Tackles:
Mike Current
Dave Reavis
Steve Young Rookie
Randy Young Rookie

Mike currently is the most talented o-lineman on the team... and it's not even close. The stalwart coming over from Denver is clearly the captain of the whole o-line group.

Guard:
Howard Fest
Steve Wilson Rookie
Tom Alward Rookie
Everett Little Rookie

Nothing to see here.

Center:
Dan Ryczek
Bruce Chapman Rookie

Ryczek is a low caliber back up from Washington being thrust into a starting role. Chapman should not be in the NFL.

Kicker:
Mirro Roder

A 32 yo kicker who was out of the NFL last year. 58 FG% in his two years with Chicago. Blah.

Punter:
Dave Green

An ok punter while with Cincinnati. Could do better, defiantly worse.

DE:
Pat Toomay
Lee Roy Selmon Rookie
Council Rudolph
Ed McAleney Rookie

The Buffalo D-line MVP Pat Toomay, comes to Tampa. He will anchor the line here after a falling out with the Bills brass. Rookie Lee Roy Selmon, the first pick ever by the franchise has big shoes to fill. He's a great athlete with tons of potential. Rudolph is a solid back up coming from the Cardinals. McAleney probably wouldn't make it on other teams.

DT:
Dewey Selmon Rookie
Dave Pear
Maulty Moore
Larry Jameson Rookie

Dewey Selmon has a good work ethic and the ability to dominate games. Things look bright for this kid. Pear comes from the Colts and border line starter. Moore and Jameson aren't very talented but are big bodies that could... be warm bodies... if needed.

LB:
Larry Ball
Richard Wood
Jimmy Gunn
Cal Peterson
Jimmy Sims Rookie
Bert Cooper Rookie
Charlie Hunt

Richard Wood played last year with the Jets. Not a bad young player. Needs to refine his play and get some confidence.Cal Peterson looks decent.

CB:
Mike Washington Rookie
Curtis Jordan Rookie
Joe Blahak
Reggie Pierson Rookie
Danny Reece Rookie

A very young crew here. The only one with NFL exp is Blahak. He played the last two years with the Vikings. These guys need to grow up fast.

S:
Cedric Brown Rookie
Ken Stone
Mark Cotney
Ricky Davis

Probably the most talent on the team was stuck into one position. Ricky Davis is the weak link here. He has some off the field issues to work out. Made a few plays with the Bengals last year.

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1976 Season Calendar: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 1: @ Oilers 21-7 Loss
Week 2: Chargers 41-7 Loss
Week 3: Bills 27-14 Loss
Week 4: @ Colts 36-3 Loss
Week 5: @ Bengals
Week 6: Seahawks
Week 7: Dolphins
Week 8: Chiefs
Week 9: @ Broncos
Week 10: @ Jets
Week 11: Browns
Week 12: @ Raiders
Week 13: @ Steelers
Week 14: Patriots

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Week 1: Tampa Bay 0-0 @ Houston 0-0

Not all was bad in the Bucs 21-7 opening day loss to the Oilers. The defense forced Oilers QB John Hadi into 4 ints and sacking him 5 times. One of those int's lead to the Buccaneers only score by way of it being returned for a touchdown by CB Mike Washington.

In other scores; The Rams shutout the Falcons 24-0, defending two time Super Bowl champion Steelers open the season with a 25-17 win over the Raiders and the Washington Redskins destroy the NY Giants 40-3 as Joe Theismann goes 16 for 21 180 yards and 2 td's.

Tampa Bay/Houston Top Performers:
Tampa Bay:
Larry Ball LB 8tackles 3sacks
Mike Washington CB 7tackles 2ints 1td
Pat Toomay DE 5tackles 1sack 1int

Houston:
Earl Thomas WR 5receptions 109yards 2tds
Greg Bingham LB 9tackles 1int
John Hadi QB 14 for 21 205yards 3td 4int

Week 2: San Diego 1-0 @ Tampa Bay 0-1

The Buccaneers were boo'd out of their own stadium 41-7 this weekend. The Chargers moved the ball at will putting up 24 points in the first half. Early on the Bucs looked good intercepting Dan Fouts to set up a 5 yard td run by Ed Williams. From then on it was 41 unanswered points by the Chargers. Head Coach John Mckay said "We didn't block real good, but we made up for it by not tackling".

In other scores; the Cowboys take care of the Saints 23-13, QB Jim Hart and the Cardinals dismantle the Packers 55-14 and the Patriots shutout the Dolphins 17-0.

Tampa Bay/San Diego Top Performers:
Tampa Bay:
Jimmy Gunn LB 3tackles 1int
Ed Williams FB 6att 20yards 1td
Morris Owens WR 2receptions 38yards

San Diego:
Dan Fouts QB 23 of 30 320yards 2td 1int
Don Woods RB 14att 55yards 4receptions 13yrds 1td
Mike Fuller S 3tackles 1int

Week 3: Buffalo 2-0 @ Tampa Bay 0-2

The Bucs drop their 3rd straight game to open the season. They looked like they belonged in the NFL in a 27-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, who improve to 3-0. Steve Spurrier made a few passes to set up an early 3 yard td run by Essex Johnson. Johnson was the "go to" man in this game as he ran wild on the Bills. Ed Williams, his fullback also scored on a 2 yard td run late in the 4th when the game was already out of reach.

In other scores; The 49ers squeak by the Seahawks 13-6, the Browns get past the Broncos in ot 16-13 and Washington outscores Phili in a shoot out 41-35 where QB Roman Gabriel tossed 5 td passes in a loosing effort.

Tampa Bay/Buffalo Top Performers:
Tampa Bay
Essex Johnson RB 24attempts 133yards 1td
Jimmy Gunn LB 5tackles 1sack
Steve Spurrier QB 16 for 26 155yards 1interception

Buffalo
Bob Chandler WR 9receptions 115yards 1td
O.J Simpson RB 30attempts 100yards 2td
Joe Ferguson QB 19 for 28 309yards 1td 0int

Injuries: Ed Williams FB Pulled Quad 2 weeks.

Week 4: Tampa Bay 0-3 @ Baltimore 2-1

Steve Spurrier continues to struggle and the offense is still incapable. The Bucs failed to sustain a single possession in the 36-3 loss. The only score came off of a fumble from Colts runningback Lydell Mitchell on the 16 yard line. The Bucs went 3 and out and Roder put in the field goal.

In other scores; The defending Super Bowl champ Steelers remain undefeated beating the Vikings 24-14, The Cowboys blank the Seahawks 38-0, and the Cardinals tear apart the Giants 41-7.

Tampa Bay/Baltimore Top Performers:
Tampa Bay
Council Rudolph DE 6tackles 1interception
Pat Toomay DE 3tackles 1sack
Isaac Hagins WR 4receptions 49yards

Baltimore
Bert Jones 15 of 20 205yards 4touchdowns 1interception
Raymond Chester TE 5receptions 55yards 2touchdowns
Jim Cheyunski LB 5tackles 3sacks

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1976 Quarter Review:

AFC:
East
Baltimore 3-1
Buffalo 3-1
New York 1-3
New England 1-3
Miami 0-4

Central
Pittsburgh 4-0
Cleveland 3-1
Houston 1-3
Cincinnati 1-3

West
San Diego 3-1
Kansas City 3-1
Denver 2-2
Oakland 2-2
Tampa Bay 0-4

NFC:
East
Washington 4-0
Dallas 4-0
St. Louis 4-0
New York 1-3
Philadelphia 0-4

Central
Detroit 4-0
Minnesota 2-2
Chicago 2-2
Green Bay 0-4

West
Los Angeles 3-1
San Francisco 3-1
New Orleans 1-3
Atlanta 1-3
Seattle 0-4


NFL Passing Leaders (by yards)
Fran Tarkenton Min 65.1% 1173yrds 6tds 10ints
Terry Bradshaw Pit 60.5% 1079yrds 6tds 4ints
Greg Landry Det 59.3% 1023yrds 10tds 2ints

NFL Rushing Leaders (by yards)
Terry Metcalf STL 85att 484yrds 6tds
O.J. Simpson Buf 111att 406yrds 4tds
Bobby Thompson Det 72att 381yrds 5tds

NFL Receiving Leaders (by reception)
Ahmad Rashad Min 24rec 252yrds 1td
Charlie Sanders Det 23rec 311yrds 5tds
Ken Payne GB 23rec 317yrds 2tds

NFL Sack Leaders
Mike Hartenstine Chi 7.5
Jim Cheyunski Bal 7.0
Jim LeClair Cin 6.5

NFL Interception Leaders
Charlie Waters Dal 6
Emmit Thomas KC 5
Kerry Reardon KC 5

NFL Tackle Leaders
Pat Hughes NYG 51
Brad VanPelt NYG 50
Reggie Williams Cin 47

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1976 Team Quarterly

Record: 0-4

Team Offense: 26th (of 28)

Team Defense: 27th (of 28)

Passing Leader: Steve Spurrier QB 50% 502yrds 0td 7int

Rushing Leader: Essex Johnson RB 76att 286yrds 1td

Receiving Leader: Morris Owens WR 11rec 132yrds 0td

Sack Leader: Larry Ball LB 3

Interception Leader: Mike Washington CB 2

Tackle Leader: Richard Wood LB 29

Injuries:
Ed Williams FB Pulled Quad 1 week

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Week 5: Tampa Bay 0-4 @ Cincinnati 1-3

Tampa Bay started back up QB Terry Hanratty but did not do much better. In a 30-14 loss, the Bucs defense had no answers for Ken Anderson and the Bengals passing game. Essesx Johnson gave Tampa Bay fans something to smile about as he ran in a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass while amassing 163 total yards of offense.

"We've proven we can't win at home or on the road. What we need is a neutral site" - John McKay

In other scores; The Steelers blank the Browns 19-0, Staubach and the Cowboys roll over the Giants 35-7 and the Jets get by the Bills 23-20.

Tampa Bay/Cincinnati Top Performers:
Tampa Bay
Essex Johnson RB 19att 135yrds 1td 3rec 28yrds 1td
Jimmy Gunn LB 3tackles 1sack 1int
Dewey Selmon DT 7tackles

Cincinnati
Ken Anderson QB 24 for 31 331yrds 3tds 1int
Chip Myers WR 6rec 108yrds 1td
Issac Curtis WR 5rec 95yrds 2tds

Injuries: Dave Reavis RT Pulled Quad 3 weeks, Barry Smith WR Pulled Quad 3 weeks.

Week 6: Seattle 0-5 @ Tampa Bay 0-5

In the battle of the moveable object and the resistible force, Tampa Bay came out on top for their first win of the season. Against any other team Terry Hanratty's 3 ints would have cost the Bucs the game. Against the Seahawks it didn't matter too much. Essex Johnson once again put up numbers. Not as explosive in this game. He just was persistent and consistent. Tampa Bay wins 24-16.

In other scores; The Chargers beat the Oilers 17-6, Rick Upchurch had a fantastic game with 3rec for 122yards and 2 tds in the Broncos 30-23 win over the Raiders and the Patriots slip past the Jets 17-16.

Tampa Bay/ Seattle Top Performers:
Tampa Bay
Essex Johnson RB 43att 146yrds 1td
Mike Washington CB 2tkls 1int
Cedric Brown S 6tkls 1int

Seattle
Don Hansen LB 8tkls 1sack 1int
Mike Curtis LB 7tkls 1sack 1int
Ken Geddes LB 7tkls 1int

Week 7: Miami 2-4 @ Tampa Bay 1-5