Season-in-review team reports — NFC
Central
As published in print Feb. 6, 2002
2001 record: 9-7 |
| Overview |
| The Buccaneers entered the season with renewed hope after signing
free-agent QB Brad Johnson to stabilize their sputtering offense. But the move failed to
take the team to the next level, as the Bucs’ offense has ranked 20th or lower for
nine straight seasons (it was tied for 26th in 2001). Tampa Bay also maintained its streak
of slow starts, beginning a year 4-4 for the fourth consecutive time. But for the third
straight season, the Bucs rallied to make the playoffs, only to lose in the first or
second round. The team played practically the entire season under the specter of Bill
Parcells, who had long been rumored to succeed Tony Dungy if Dungy were fired. Dungy was
fired at season’s end, but Parcells, reportedly close to joining the Bucs at one
point, reneged at the last minute. |
| Turning point |
| In dire need of a win with a 4-5 record, the Buccaneers knocked off the
high-powered Rams 24-17 in St. Louis on "Monday Night Football." It was arguably
the Bucs’ best performance of the season, and it sparked a three-game winning streak
that helped put them in the playoffs. |
| Offensive MVP |
| WR Keyshawn Johnson. He was the most consistent performer on the
Bucs’ offense — but can a 106-catch receiver actually be underutilized? It seems
so. Johnson caught only three passes in the red zone, a testament to the Bucs’
conservative nature on offense. Nevertheless, Johnson came to play every week, battling
through soreness and nagging injuries. His 106 catches set a team record, and his 1,266
receiving yards were second-best in team history behind Mark Carrier (1,422 in 1989). |
| Defensive MVP |
| CB Ronde Barber was very deserving of his first Pro Bowl berth. He tied
for the league lead in interceptions and set a club record with 10. Barber also set a team
record with 29 passes defensed. Though not blessed with great size, Barber has become a
playmaker. He’s a very effective blitzer and active defender. |
| Biggest surprise |
| With Jacquez Green and Reidel Anthony failing to establish themselves in
the No. 2 WR spot, Karl Williams took the bull by the horns, earning more time down the
stretch. Williams proved clutch in third-down situations, turning 15 of his 24 total
catches into first downs. He earned Keyshawn Johnson’s respect for his toughness and
ability to move the chains. |
| Biggest disappointment |
| The running game. After finishing the 2000 season so strong, Warrick Dunn
was named the Bucs’ featured back in the offseason. But injuries slowed him out of
the gate, and he never recovered. Mike Alstott took advantage of the extra carries he got,
but the Bucs still ranked second-to-last in the league in rushing yards per game (85.7).
It seemed that splitting the rushes between Dunn and Alstott helped sink the running game,
the longtime foundation of the Bucs’ offense. |
| Rookie recap |
| No. 1 pick Kenyatta Walker struggled moving from right to left tackle and
adjusting to the pro game. But he improved down the stretch and showed more maturity. CB
Dwight Smith contributed mostly on special teams and performed well. John Howell
isn’t quite quick enough for free safety or strong enough for strong safety. But he
works hard, and the Bucs like him. WR Milton Wynn was drafted by the Rams but released
before the start of the season. He played in just one game in the regular season (four
receptions for 69 yards), but the Bucs like his size and speed. FB Jameel Cook did a fine
job blocking. |
| Free-agent/trade review |
| Brad Johnson was his usual self, completing 60.8 percent of his passes
and spreading the ball around. But he couldn’t put the ball in the endzone enough,
though part of that had to do with offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen’s
play-calling. DE Simeon Rice started off slowly, but once he became comfortable with the
Bucs’ scheme and playing next to DT Warren Sapp, Rice flourished. Ten of his 11 sacks
came in the last nine games, and he led the team’s defensive linemen with 64 total
tackles. |
| Team leaders |
Rushing — Mike Alstott, 680 yards on 165 carries, 4.1 avg., 10 TDs.
Passing — Brad Johnson, 340-559 attempts for 3,406 yards, 13 TDs, 11 interceptions,
77.7 rating.
Receiving — Keyshawn Johnson, 106 receptions for 1,266 yards, 11.9 avg., 1 TD.
Scoring — Martin Gramatica, 97 points on 28 PATs and 23 FGs.
Kickoff returns — Frank Murphy, 20 for 445 yards, 22.3 avg., 0 TDs.
Punt returns — Karl Williams, 35 for 366 yards, 10.5 avg., 1 TD.
Punting — Mark Royals, 83 for 40.7 avg., 34.2 net, 8 TB, 26 inside 20, 0 blk., 61L.
Interceptions — Ronde Barber, 10 for 86 yards, 8.6 avg., 1 TD.
Sacks — Simeon Rice, 11. |
| Results |
Pointspread Shown Refers to Tampa Bay.
| Date |
Opponent |
Spread |
Score |
| Sept. 9 |
At Dallas |
(-9.5) |
10-6 |
| Sept. 23 |
BYE |
|
|
| Sept. 30 |
At Minnesota |
(-1.5) |
16-20 |
| Oct. 7 |
Green Bay |
(-2.5) |
14-10 |
| Oct. 14 |
At Tennessee |
(+2.5) |
28-31* |
| Oct. 21 |
Pittsburgh |
(-5) |
10-17 |
| Oct. 28 |
Minnesota |
(-3) |
41-14 |
| Nov. 4 |
At Green Bay |
(+6) |
20-21 |
| Nov. 11 |
At Detroit |
(-5) |
20-17 |
| Nov. 18 |
Chicago |
(-6) |
24-27 |
| Nov. 26 |
At St. Louis |
(+9.5) |
24-17 |
| Dec. 2 |
At Cincinnati |
(-5) |
16-13* |
| Dec. 9 |
Detroit |
(-7.5) |
15-12 |
| Dec. 16 |
At Chicago |
(+2) |
3-27 |
| Dec. 23 |
New Orleans |
(-2.5) |
48-21 |
| Dec. 29 |
Baltimore |
(-2.5) |
22-10 |
| Jan. 6 |
Philadelphia |
(-3.5) |
13-17 |
| Postseason |
|
|
|
| Jan. 12 |
At Philadelphia |
(+3.5) |
9-31 |
* Overtime |
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