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Buccaneers: game by game

By RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 1, 2000

Sunday, Sept. 3 at New England, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Quarterback Shaun King's eyes look like road maps after hours of studying the tapes of the Bucs' preseason game at New England. Unfortunately, none of it applies to what Pats coach Bill Belichick throws at him this day. King and the Bucs offense struggle. But the defense keeps them in it by sacking Drew Bledsoe five times. After a late turnover, King forgets his reads and just looks for Keyshawn in the end zone. Bucs 13, Patriots 9.

Sunday, Sept. 10 CHICAGO, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Confusion abounds as Warren Sapp insists on going through pre-game warmups next to new Bears defensive tackle Brad Culpepper, who gets the Bucs fans' loudest ovation during introductions. Culpepper even has an early sack of King and enjoys ribbing the Tampa Bay sideline. But the Bucs get the last laugh as Culpepper's replacement, Anthony McFarland, lassos Bears quarterback Cade McNown three times and is carried off the field on Sapp's shoulders. "Brad who?" is Sapp's response after the game. Bucs 17, Bears 10.

Sunday, Sept. 17 at Detroit, 1 p.m. (FOX)

The Lions' pre-game meal is barbecue, but they can't have enough ribs. This time, the bruised cage belongs to King and not Eric Zeier. Detroit's Robert Porcher, Luther Ellis and Tracy Scroggins take turns planting the Bucs QB. Shortly after the game, the Bucs announce they have signed tackle Paul Gruber. Detroit takes a slim lead in the NFC Central. Lions 20, Bucs 10.

Sunday, Sept. 24 NEW YORK JETS, 4:15 p.m. (CBS)

Groh must go! For a solid week, that's what Jets antagonist Keyshawn Johnson has been saying about coach Al Groh, whom he still believes is responsible for his trade to Tampa Bay. New York newspapers dispatched reporters to Tampa Bay for a week to record every word spilled from Johnson's lips, and their ears are burning. Johnson wills his club to victory with a spectacular 150-yard, three-TD receiving performance. Rich McKay takes a large lead in NFL Executive of the Year balloting. Bucs 27, Jets 3.

Sunday, Oct. 1 at Washington, 4:15 p.m. (FOX)

In a game many believe will determine home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Redskins and Bucs meet in the nation's capital. The Redskins have not scored an offensive touchdown in their two previous meetings with Tampa Bay, and this day is no different. Unfortunately, they do score on kick returns by Deion Sanders and Brian Mitchell. But 'Skins Napoliantic owner Daniel Snyder orders coach Norv Turner to replace quarterback Brad Johnson with Jeff George. Bucs 20, Redskins 17.

Monday, Oct. 9 at Minnesota, 9 p.m. (ABC)

Duante Culpepper and Shaun King grew up less than 100 miles apart, and they are the stories as the Vikings and Bucs tangle in the Metrodome in front of the new MNF crew. By the start of the third quarter, Dennis Miller correctly declares it's time to "start blow-drying Ted Koppel's hair." Culpepper throws three TDs to receiver Randy Moss, and the Bucs fight back but fall short. Vikings 21, Bucs 14.

Thursday, Oct. 19 DETROIT, 8:20 p.m. (ESPN)

The second straight nationally televised game for the Bucs is for control of the NFC Central. It's over quickly once Tampa Bay realizes the Lions are quarterbacked this night by Stoney Case. Paul Gruber and Jerry Wunsch open up huge running lanes for Warrick Dunn, who rushes for 100 yards for the first time in nearly a year. Bucs 27, Lions 10.

Sunday, Oct. 29 MINNESOTA, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Locked in a battle for the NFL's receiving title, Keyshawn Johnson playfully declares that Randy Moss "couldn't catch a cold in Alaska on a rainy day." To enhance his point, the game is played in a downpour. Neither team has much success throwing the football, but Johnson scores the game-winning TD on a reverse. Tampa Bay takes sole possession of the NFC Central. Bucs 13, Vikings 6.

Sunday, Nov. 5 at Atlanta, 1 p.m. (FOX)

The Falcons' quarterback situation is in shambles as they re-sign 64-year-old Steve DeBerg, who breaks some kind of record by starting a game in his fourth decade as a player. Anthony McFarland, who has not had a sack since Week 2, dumps DeBerg three times, becoming the first player to have a three-sack day against the Falcons since -- yup -- Brad Culpepper. Placekicker Martin Gramatica breaks Tom Dempsey's record with a 65-yard field goal. Bucs 24, Falcons 10.

Sunday, Nov. 12 GREEN BAY, 4:15 p.m. (FOX)

Quarterback Brett Favre returns from elbow surgery in the Battle of the Bays. Favre isn't sharp but throws a TD pass left-handed as he is dragged down by nemesis Warren Sapp. Packers GM Ron Wolf is thumbing his pink slips as Mike Sherman, the third Green Bay coach in as many years, loses his fifth straight game. Cornerback Donnie Abraham records his NFL-leading seventh interception. Bucs 28, Packers 16.

Sunday, Nov. 19 at Chicago, 1 p.m. (FOX)

A rare pre-Thanksgiving Day whiteout hits the Windy City as the Bucs arrive at Soldier Field. In a stroke of genius, the Bucs decide to wear their all-white uniforms, and Bears players have trouble locating them in the snow. Tampa Bay's infamous streak of not winning in temperatures less than 40 degrees is (cold) snapped at 17 games. Bucs 14, Bears 3.

Sunday, Nov. 26 BUFFALO, 1 p.m. (CBS)

Bills quarterback Doug Flutie has Buffalo in contention for an AFC East title. His scrambling causes problems for the Bucs until rookie Nate Webster is inserted at middle linebacker. Webster, who is the only Bucs player short enough to look Flutie in the eye, causes a fumble, intercepts a pass and blocks a punt. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, immediately asks the Bucs to tear up Webster's contract the way his client tore up the Bills. Bucs 28, Bills 17.

Sunday, Dec. 3 DALLAS, 1 p.m. (FOX)

The Cowboys haven't been to Tampa since Jimmy Johnson's second season and Ray Perkins' last. Tailback Emmitt Smith, whom that sage Perkins predicted would "have a short career" and chose Keith McCants (who did have a short career), rushes for 100 yards. But the Bucs intercept Troy Aikman three times, including two by Pro Bowl-bound Donnie Abraham, one of which he returns for a score. Bucs 24, Cowboys 17.

Sunday, Dec. 10, at Miami, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Remember the Raiders' fiasco of '99? So do the Bucs, because it happens again against the Dolphins. Perhaps looking ahead to their big NFC showdown on MNF against the Rams, the Bucs are flatter than a tortilla and allow the Dolphins to rush for 150 yards. Miami scores all its points on six Olindo Mare field goals. The only highlight is Marcus Jones recording his 13th sack, tying Lee Roy Selmon's club record. Dolphins 18, Bucs 6.

Monday, Dec. 18 ST. LOUIS, 9 p.m. (ABC)

The winner of this game wins home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. For Tampa Bay, which is hosting Super Bowl XXXV, this is larger than Melissa Stark's fan club. The Bucs turn to their all-purpose man, Mike Alstott, who scores as a running back, H-back, fullback and receiver. Miller books him as a guest on his HBO special. Bucs 31, Rams 9.

Sunday, Dec. 24 at Green Bay, 1 p.m. (FOX)

Eight Bucs players already have been named to the Pro Bowl, including NFL Offensive Player of the Year Keyshawn Johnson. But today, they have to break their Lambeau Field jinx, where they haven't won since '89. Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott combine for 250 rushing yards, and Packers fans are sipping eggnog by their fireplaces by the middle of the third quarter. The Packers are home for Christmas, having missed the playoffs again. The Bucs have visions of the Lombardi Trophy dancing in their heads. To all, a very good night. Bucs 27, Packers 15.

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