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Central perks

For the Bucs, playing in the NFC Central has meant 24 years of great players, standout coaches and memorable teams. But because of realignment, the Bucs have only more season to add to the memories.

By RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 20, 2001

CHICAGO -- There is still time for the nostalgic farewell tour.

But after the 2001 season, the Buccaneers will say goodbye to the NFC Central Division.

And perhaps, good riddance.

Only three times in 24 seasons as a member of the black and blue division did Tampa Bay finish first. Fourteen other times, the Bucs did no better than tie for worst.

Early this week, the league's owners will vote to realign into eight, four-team divisions.

The Bucs know there is no room for them among traditional powers like Green Bay, Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota.

Instead, Tampa Bay will join a new NFC South Division that likely will include New Orleans, Carolina and Atlanta.

"It's been a great division, especially the last 10 or 15 years," Bucs coach Tony Dungy said. "You've had real good teams out here, Super Bowl teams, and a lot of big-time stars."

Intertwined with the years of losing, Tampa Bay fans were entertained by some of the game's greats.

Taking away some of the bitter was the sweetness of the Bears' Walter Payton. The Lions made a remarkable handoff from Billy Sims to Barry Sanders.

You want standout teams? There was the Purple People Eaters and the 15-1 Vikings team of Dennis Green.

The '85 Bears did their Super Bowl shuffle through Tampa Bay. The Pack was back when Green Bay clinched the division in '97 at the Big Sombrero on the way to returning the Lombardi Trophy to Titletown.

You want coaches? Let's talk about Hall of Famer Bud Grant, Mike Ditka or John McKay.

The best quarterback? It was the Packers' No. 4, Favre and away.

"I think, number one, it was very important to us as a franchise to be in the NFC Central to help us through the tough times when we were really struggling," Bucs general manager Rich McKay said. "Because the NFC Central had teams with tremendous tradition, the Chicagos, the Packers, Lions and Vikings. It really helped from an attendance standpoint and thankfully, we've gotten past that point where we have to rely on other teams to fill up the stadium."

The Bucs, on the strength of three playoff appearances in the past four years, have a sold-out stadium, a star-studded roster and a bright future.

So it figures that just when the going got good, they will be gone.

"I'll miss the trip to Lambeau Field, but not when it's 10 degrees. The same is true about Soldier Field," McKay said.

"But rivalries will develop in the new division. I'm pretty excited about the prospects of being in a division where our fans can travel to the road games."

Dungy, who was the Vikings defensive coordinator for four seasons before becoming the Bucs coach in '96, is anything but sentimental about leaving the Central.

"I don't think the kids playing today remember the old NFC Central," Dungy said. "It goes with the territory. Times change and we'll change.

"When I was at Minnesota, you really just looked at (playing in Tampa Bay) as a division game you have to go down and win. We always looked forward to coming down here late in the year. But really, however your division sets up, you know you've got to win those games."

But what will become of the Battle of the Bays? What will Warren Sapp do if he doesn't have Brett Favre to chat with on Sundays?

"They have become good rivalries, but only because of the importance they had during the season," Dungy said. "I think they'll develop with Atlanta or whoever it ends up being because those will be important games.

"The last six years, the NFC Central Division winner has been in the championship game. So it's important to win your division to give you a leg up on things. Those division games are critical. If you end up being in the South or the East, those games will be important. I think that's all cyclical. I think it's what you make it."

The Vikings' Randy Moss? No mas.

"I think you could probably look back 10 years and you saw Dallas, the 49ers and Green Bay on top," Dungy said. "Now it's not quite that way. You have the Rams, Giants, Philadelphia and Washington. The good teams will stay good. In a few years, I think we'll settle into the new look."

Top 5 players

1. Barry Sanders, RB Lions

2. Walter Payton, RB Bears

3. Brett Favre, QB Packers

4. Reggie White, DE Packers

5. Mike Singletary, LB Bears

Top 5 teams

1. 1985 Chicago Bears

2. 1997 Green Bay Packers

3. 1998 Minnesota Vikings

4. 1976 Minnesota Vikings

5. 1986 Chicago Bears

- RICK STROUD

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