TAMPA -- Return with us to a time not so long ago, when the Bucs were the Starbucks of the NFL: a place for former greats to have a cup of coffee before calling it a career. Anthony Munoz, Joey Browner, Dexter Manley -- each pulled off a Tampa Bay uniform and never played again.
So it is with great skepticism that Bucs fans welcome the likes of Tim Brown, Charlie Garner and Todd Steussie, to name a few. Do they still have something left in the tank? The 2004 season holds the answer.
Here, then, is an unscientific guess on how the Bucs and their new/old lineup might fare this season:
Today, at Redskins, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
The over-the-hill gang is back in D.C. Not George Allen's Redskins, but Bruce Allen's Bucs. Tampa Bay and its roster of 19 players who are 30 or older are actually a sidebar to the triumphant return of Redskins Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs after an 11-year hiatus.The Bucs are penalized at the start of the game because introductions take too long -- the ones in the Bucs huddle. The seven new starters on offense, most of whom didn't play together in the preseason, aren't in synch.
Redskins pull away in the second half as the Bucs tire. Allen telephones former Raider QB Jeff George to arrange a workout.
REDSKINS 23, BUCS 13.
Sept. 19, Seahawks, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
Jon Gruden used to get coffee and bagels for Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren as a grunt on the Packers coaching staff. He drank a lot of it, too. Not this week. Seattle running back Shaun Alexander will keep any coach up at night. The Bucs will struggle trying to stop the run, but they outlast the Seahawks on the strength of four Martin Gramatica field goals.
Allen moves quickly to sign former Raiders linebacker Bill Romanowski.
BUCS 12, SEAHAWKS 10.
Sept. 26, at Raiders, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
It's Raider Nation vs. Raider Reincar-nation. Raiders West vs. Raiders East. The return of Chucky to the black hole ... and Brown and Garner and Matt Stinchcomb and Rickey Dudley. Well, you get the idea.
Of course, waiting to run through the Bucs' pregame warmups is Warren Sapp. He does the same thing to the Bucs' offensive line, recording two sacks. But Gruden still is inside Rich Gannon's head. Dwight Smith returns two interceptions for touchdowns. Allen offers a contract to Jim Otto.
BUCS 27, RAIDERS 17.
Oct. 3, Broncos, 4:15 p.m., Ch. 10
The second of many grudge games for ex-Bucs. This time, fan favorite John Lynch returns to Raymond James Stadium as most of the 65,000 in attendance wear No. 47 jerseys.
Lynch rides to the game with Bucs quarterback Brad Johnson, who has a lot more trouble driving his team. Bucs running back Michael Pittman returns from a three-game suspension. But Lynch is Johnny on the spot, recovering a fumble that leads to the winning score.
Marcus Allen receives a midnight telephone call from the Bucs about coming out of retirement.
BRONCOS 16, BUCS 13
Oct. 10, at Saints, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
Bucs open their heavily backloaded NFC South schedule with a trip to the Big Easy. They find the Saints marching in first place with a surprising 4-0 start. New Orleans has beaten the Bucs in three of the past four meetings. Make it four out of five. Deuce McAllister reaches the century rushing mark again. Allen arranges a workout for Howie Long.
SAINTS 24, BUCS 10.
Oct. 18, at Rams, 9 p.m., Ch. 28
Bucs make their only appearance of the season on Monday Night Football. Tampa Bay has had great success against the Rams, but Kurt Warner no longer plays there. His old receivers do, however. Trying to cover Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce with enforcement of the no-chuck rule is like sweeping back the tide with a broom. Rams romp.
Allen asks Ryan Nece for the number of his Hall of Fame father, Ronnie Lott. There might be a spot for him in the Bucs' secondary.
RAMS 31, BUCS 17.
Oct. 24, Bears, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
Former Bucs linebackers coach Lovie Smith returns to RJS as the Bears' head coach. It's also a homecoming of sorts for former Florida quarterback Rex Grossman. This is the third in a series of grudge games as running back Thomas Jones, a former Buc ejected in free agency, tries to make his old team pay. But the Bucs defensive line, especially Booger McFarland, has its best game. Smith asks for permission again to interview defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and is denied. Allen signs James Jett.
BUCS 21, BEARS 7.
Oct. 31, bye week
Allen works out punter Ray Guy.
Nov. 7, Chiefs, 1 p.m., Ch. 10
The Bucs are working their way down the NFL's all-time rushing list. On this day, it's Priest Holmes. The Chiefs have the No. 1 offense in the NFL and drag the Bucs into a scoring-fest the type Tampa Bay never wins. Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil bursts into tears when he finally atones for his loss with the Eagles to the Bucs in the 1979 NFC Divisional playoff game. Allen heads to South Florida to search for Ted Hendricks.
CHIEFS 20, BUCS 17.
Nov. 14, at Falcons, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
Well, well. It's grudge game No. 4. Rich McKay vs. Gruden. This time, a healthy Michael Vick leads the NFC South-leading Falcons, throwing a pair of touchdown passes to Warrick Dunn. In an exclusive, Gruden tells FOX he always liked McKay's drafts. He thinks they're talking about beer. Allen signs Dave Casper.
FALCONS 30, BUCS 21.
Nov. 21, 49ers, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
Chris Simms makes his first NFL start, hoping to ignite a spark in the 3-6 Bucs, who have 10 players on injured reserve. He spends the week getting pointers from former Niners lefty QB Steve Young at the invitation of Gruden. It works. Simms throws for a touchdown and runs for two more. Allen signs Darrell Russell, who has been reinstated by the NFL after serving an eight-game suspension for violating his substance abuse treatment program.
BUCS 24, NINERS 10.
Nov. 28, at Panthers, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
Bucs begin a critical division stretch in which they play four NFC South teams in five weeks. Despite their record, they are mathematically still alive in the hunt for a division title. Nothing would be finer than to win in Carolina, and the Bucs do just that in the most stirring upset of the season. Allen arranges a workout for offensive tackle Lincoln Kennedy.
BUCS 9, PANTHERS 6.
Dec. 5, Falcons, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
This season, two in a row could describe the home attendance. Only 19 shopping days until Christmas. It comes early for the Bucs. Vick is sick, as in really ill, with a stomach virus. McKay blames suspicious room service delivery at 3 :18 in the morning. Bucs roll. Allen signs Jim Plunkett.
BUCS 27, FALCONS 3.
Dec. 12, at Chargers, 4:15 p.m., Ch. 13
Grudge game might be too strong, but left tackle Roman Oben, who was traded to the Chargers before training camp, is motivated against his old team. Memories of Super Bowl XXXVII come flooding back to the Bucs. Unfortunately, Brown and Garner feel them as well. Even so, rookie Phillip Rivers struggles against an improving defense. Allen hires a P.I. to find Otis Sistrunk.
BUCS 31, CHARGERS 10.
Dec. 19, Saints, 4:05 p.m., Ch. 13
Bucs issue a pregame news release announcing the team has waived Russell, fearful he might violate his treatment program at the Bucs' Christmas party. Tampa Bay is on a four-game winning streak, its longest of the season. But Deuce gets loose again for 100 yards. Allen works out Todd Marinovich.
SAINTS 17, BUCS 3.
Dec. 26, Panthers, 1 p.m., Ch. 13
With two games to play, the Bucs need to win out for a shot at that final NFC wild-card berth. Unfortunately, they have to stop the running back tandem of Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster. Before the game, Romanowski announces his retirement. Bucs season-ticket waiting list drops to 50,000. Allen asks John Madden if he has considered coaching again.
PANTHERS 16, BUCS 15.
Jan. 2, at Cardinals, 4:05 p.m., Ch. 13
Final grudge game, this time for exiled quarterback Shaun King. Bucs are eliminated from the playoffs but trying to play spoiler to the upstart Redbirds. King rules, throwing four touchdowns. He credits Gruden for never believing in him. Allen signs Art Shell.
