1994 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

The 1994 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 19th season in the National Football League (NFL). The year began with the death of owner Hugh Culverhouse. Ownership was transferred to a three-man board of trustees. Season ticket sales dwindled, and rumors of the team's location were a persistent distraction all year. At mid-season, the new ownership removed all personnel responsibilities from coach Sam Wyche, and gave them to Vice President Rich McKay, who they named general manager. They also put the team up for sale.[1] On the field, Errict Rhett became the first rookie in the team's history to rush for 1,000 yards, despite not starting until the ninth game of the season.

1994 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
Ownerthe Hugh Culverhouse estate
General managerRich McKay
Head coachSam Wyche
Home fieldTampa Stadium
Results
Record6–10
Division place5th NFC Central
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Team MVPLT Paul Gruber

The Buccaneers had one of the weakest offenses in the league, even while led by a coach who had consistently produced top offenses while with the Cincinnati Bengals.[2] At 2–9, most people in the Bay area were ready to hang Wyche and pack his bags, but the defensive line improved as Eric Curry finally matured in the second half of the season, and the Bucs began their first 4-game winning streak in 15 years. It started with an overtime win against the Minnesota Vikings. Two wins over the Washington Redskins and one over the Los Angeles Rams set up a big game in Tampa against the Green Bay Packers, who were trying to secure a playoff spot. "We've arrived", Wyche announced prematurely.[3] The final game was called "Orange Pride day", and was attended by 65,000 fans (although many were rooting for the visitors), most of whom expected it to be the last football game in Tampa. The Packers won, 34–19.[1]

Offseason

NFL Draft
PickRoundPlayerPositionSchool
61Trent DilferQuarterbackFresno State
342Errict RhettRunning backFlorida
693Harold BishopTight endLSU
1365Pete PiersonOffensive tackleWashington
1656Bernard CarterLinebackerEast Carolina
2007Jim PyneCenterVirginia Tech

Preseason

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 2-2 in the pre-season, winning their first game against the Bengals at home. After a loss to Seattle Seahawks on the road, the Bucs beat cross state rival Miami Dolphins in game three. The last game of the preseason was lost to the New York Jets by one point. Expectations were for a break even season in 1994.

Personnel

Staff
1994 Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff

Front office

Head coaches

  • Head coach/director of football operations – Sam Wyche

Offensive coaches

  

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams/tight ends – George Stewart

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Brad Roll

[4]

Roster
1994 Tampa Bay Buccaneers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 81 Jackie Harris TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 85 Courtney Hawkins WR/PR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 45 Tony Stargell CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad

53 active, 3 inactive, 3 practice squad
Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule
Regular season
WeekDateOpponentResultGame siteAttendanceRecord
1 September 4 at Chicago Bears L 21–9Soldier Field61,8440–1
2 September 11 Indianapolis Colts W 24–10Tampa Stadium36,631*1–1
3 September 18 New Orleans Saints L 9–7Tampa Stadium45,522*1–2
4 September 25 at Green Bay Packers L 30–3Lambeau Field58,5511–3
5 October 2 Detroit Lions W 24–14Tampa Stadium38,012*2–3
6 October 9 at Atlanta Falcons L 34–13Georgia Dome52,6332–4
7 Bye
8 October 23 at San Francisco 49ers L 41–16Candlestick Park62,7412–5
9 October 30 Minnesota Vikings L 36–13Tampa Stadium42,110*2–6
10 November 6 Chicago Bears L 20–6Tampa Stadium60,821*2–7
11 November 13 at Detroit Lions L 14–9Pontiac Silverdome50,8142–8
12 November 20 at Seattle Seahawks L 22–21Kingdome37,4662–9
13 November 27 at Minnesota Vikings W 20–17(OT)Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome47,2593–9
14 December 4 Washington Redskins W 26–21Tampa Stadium45,121*4–9
15 December 11 Los Angeles Rams W 24–14Tampa Stadium34,150*5–9
16 December 18 at Washington Redskins W 17–14RFK Stadium47,3156–9
17 December 24 Green Bay Packers L 34–19Tampa Stadium65,076*6–10

Notes:

Division opponents in bold text
  • = blacked out locally

Standings
NFC Central
W L T PCT PF PA STK
(3) Minnesota Vikings 10 6 0 .625 356 314 W1
(4) Green Bay Packers 9 7 0 .563 382 287 W3
(5) Detroit Lions 9 7 0 .563 357 342 L1
(6) Chicago Bears 9 7 0 .563 271 307 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 10 0 .375 251 351 L1

Season summary

Week 13 at Vikings
Week Thirteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2–9) at Minnesota Vikings (7–4)
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Buccaneers 7 7 03320
Vikings 0 9 08017

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: November 27, 1994
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Indoors (dome)
  • Game attendance: 47,250
  • TV: FOX
  • Box Score, Box Score
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Buccaneers PassingCraig Erickson20/38, 254 Yds, TD, INT
RushingErrict Rhett24 Rush, 55 Yds, TD
ReceivingCourtney Hawkins6 Rec, 80 Yds, TD
Vikings PassingWarren Moon24/46, 286 Yds, TD, INT
RushingTerry Allen16 Rush, 54 Yds
ReceivingQadry Ismail6 Rec, 101 Yds, TD

References
  1. Stroud, Rick. "30 Seasons: 1976–2005. From Sinking Ship to World-Class Cruise" St Petersburg Times. 11 Sep 2005.
  2. Lieber, Jill. "The NFC Central". Sports Illustrated. 5 Dec 1994
  3. Lieber, Jill. "The NFC Central". Sports Illustrated. 26 Dec 1994
  4. 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Media Guide. pp. 44–46. Archived from the original on March 15, 2010. Retrieved April 12, 2010.


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