Bucs/NFL

Bucs get first Thanksgiving game

The Bucs will play the Cowboys at 4:15 p.m. on Fox, Nov. 23.

By RICK STROUD
Published March 27, 2006

 ORLANDO - Here's something to add to your menu for Thanksgiving.

For the first time in club history, the Bucs will play on Thankgiving Day with a game at Dallas on Nov. 23.

It will be the middle game of a holiday triple-header announced Monday at the NFL owner's meetings.

Detroit will host the Miami Dolphins at 12:30 p.m. on CBS while the Bucs-Cowboys game will follow on FOX at 4:15 p.m. For the first time in league history a third game will be played on turkey day when Denver visits Kansas City at 8 p.m., a game televised by the NFL Network.

Last season, the Bucs had no Sunday or Monday night games for the first time since 1989. But their return to prime time was virtually guaranteed after going 11-5 and winning the NFC South title.

It will be the Bucs first visit to Dallas since 2001 when they opened the season with a 10-6 victory over the Cowboys.

Bucs fans who have waited 31 years for a Thanksgiving Day game will look forward to the holiday game, but coach Jon Gruden didn't find the news very appetizing.

"Thanksgiving is my time to eat with my family," Gruden said.

"I'm going to struggle with any change of schedule. I'm not good in night games, Monday night games, Thursday games, Saturday games. They disrupt the rhythm of the schedule. So obviously, when we get the schedule, we'll have to make some concessions and do what we deem is right to get our team ready to play."

[Last modified March 27, 2006, 17:58:09]