Supporters of the Tampa Bay Bucs would quickly admit that their preferred team has suffered through a bitter history with quarterbacks. Since the position typically defines a club’s success, this is not an admirable characteristic. Tampa Bay has certainly attempted to address the deficiency, with multiple high draft picks used on signal callers, but each optimistic selection has fallen short.
For example, while Vinny Testaverde, the top overall selection of the 1987 NFL Draft, eventually enjoyed a respectable career, his time for the hapless Bucs was miserable. With 112 interceptions in only 74 games, Testaverde is unworthy of inclusion among the best hurlers of even a quarterback poor franchise, despite still topping the record books with 14,820 passing yards.
Nevertheless, Tampa Bay has witnessed several quarterbacks pass through town who left positive impressions along their brief way. Since no quarterback has served as primary signal caller for more than 5 years, there are many passers from which to choose. Here are the top 5 quarterbacks in Tampa Bay Bucs’ history.
1.) Brad Johnson (2001-2004) — For winning the franchise’s only Super Bowl, the Florida State product earns the top spot by default. Johnson was signed to elevate the performance of the team’s sagging offense and certainly did so in Super Bowl XXXVII, where he passed for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns. The veteran enjoyed a late renaissance during 4 years in Tampa Bay, which included a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2002. He passed for over 3,000 yards in each season from 2001-2003 and also hurled a combined 61 scores during those campaigns. When the Bucs followed their championship by missing the playoffs, Johnson’s job was placed on thin ice by Coach Jon Gruden. The quarterback then endured a slow start in 2004 and was benched after 4 games. Johnson’s career with the Bucs came to an end after that season, but fans fondly remember his guidance of a west coast offense that connected with weapons like Keyshawn Johnson and Keenan McCardell.
2.) Doug Williams (1978-1982) — Though best remembered for leading the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII, Tampa Bay’s 1st round selection in the 1978 draft enjoyed 5 strong seasons as starting quarterback. Williams was essential in rebuilding a struggling young team that embarrassingly went win-less in 1976. Eventually, the all-around quarterback shockingly led Tampa Bay to 3 playoff appearances, including the 1979 NFC Championship Game. The Grambling State product was proudly one of the first prominent black quarterbacks in NFL history and passed for 73 total touchdowns as a Buc. In 1980, Williams even added 370 yards and 4 scores on the ground. A contract dispute ended his time in Tampa Bay prematurely and he competed in the USFL before his glorious return with the Redskins.
3.) Steve DeBerg (1984-1987, 1992-1993) — During a lengthy 17 year career for 6 teams, the journeyman actually passed for over 34,000 yards and 196 touchdowns, though he is best remembered for being replaced by legends Joe Montana and John Elway. Even in Tampa Bay, DeBerg was benched as starting quarterback after 2 seasons in favor of future Hall of Famer Steve Young and then Vinny Testaverde, who both entered the NFL with high expectations. The California native likely did not get a fair chance with the Bucs, since he posted the then top season in franchise history in 1984 with 3,554 passing yards, a 60% completion percentage, and 19 touchdowns for a poor team. DeBerg proceeded to enjoy 4 quality seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, before returning to Tampa as a reserve late in his career.
4.) Josh Freeman (2009-present) — Many hope that Freeman will eventually top this list, but that faith stands on fragile ground. The Bucs traded to acquire Freeman in the 1st round of the 2009 draft and he continues to possess all the tools for success, including a 6’6″ frame, nifty mobility, and a rocket arm. Freeman became the club’s starter mid-way through his rookie season and struggled with turnovers for a putrid 3-13 squad. He quickly righted the ship the following year and impressed with a 25-6 touchdown to interception ratio and a 10-6 record for the upstart Bucs. That progress did not last, however, as both the team and his play plummeted in 2011. Despite obvious ability, poor decision-making continues to plague Freeman, who embarrassingly ended consecutive seasons in 2011-2012 on lengthy losing streaks.
5.) Trent Dilfer (1994-1999) — While Testaverde is omitted from this list, another 1st round “bust” must be included. Dilfer admittedly arrived from Fresno State with lower expectations, but it was thought that the 6th overall selection of the 1994 draft would lead the franchise for years. That did not happen, but the conservative Dilfer should be partially credited for the team’s turn-around under Coach Tony Dungy in the late 1990s. Though defense characterized the club, Dilfer overcame 3 initially sub-par seasons to thrive in 1997 and 1998, as the Bucs made the playoffs for the first time in over a decade. Dilfer was even named to the Pro Bowl in 1997, but was benched mid-way through the 1999 season. Frustratingly, the California native led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory just a year later, before bouncing around the NFL for 6 more seasons.
Sources:
Yahoo! Sports, Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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Jeff Briscoe is a writer who covers sports for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. A loyal Tampa Bay Bucs fan, he co-hosts the Florida-based radio show, The Sports Train.
