2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

Infobox NFL_season
team = Tampa Bay Buccaneers
year = 2004
record = 5-11
division_place = 4th NFC South
coach = Jon Gruden
stadium = Raymond James Stadium
playoffs = Did not qualifyThe 2004 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on their 7-9 record in 2003. Brian Griese set a number of franchise records for passing. Michael Clayton set a rookie record for receiving.

ummary

Before the 2004 training camp, personnel issues and the salary cap became primary concerns. Gruden successfully lobbied the Glazers to hire his former general manager from Oakland, Bruce Allen. After Allen's arrival in the Bucs' front office, the team announced that it would not re-sign two of their best defensive players--John Lynch and Warren Sapp--before the regular season even started. Both of their contracts were expiring, and younger players could fill their positions. Lynch was released after medical exams indicated ongoing injury problems. Many Bucs fans were stunned by the move, as Lynch was a very popular player whose aggressive, intelligent play earned him several Pro Bowl appearances. He was also well regarded for his philanthropic work in the Tampa Bay area. Lynch was quickly signed by the Denver Broncos, where he had consecutive injury-free Pro Bowl seasons. Sapp signed with the Oakland Raiders, where he played in a limited role in 2004, and sat out much of the 2005 season with injuries but returned to form in 2006. Since wide receiver Keenan McCardell refused to play until he was given a better contract or traded, he was sent to the San Diego Chargers for draft compensation.

The distracted Bucs began the 2004 season with a 1-5 record, their worst start since Gruden arrived. The fading accuracy of kicker Martin Gramatica didn't help matters, as the team lost many close games en route to a 5-11 record, making the Bucs the first NFL team to follow up a Super Bowl championship with back-to-back losing seasons. The lone highlights of 2004 were the high-quality play of rookie wide receiver Michael Clayton and the return of Doug Williams, who joined the Bucs front office as a personnel executive.

tandings

Game summaries

Week 1: at Washington Redskins (lost 10-16)

Opening day saw Tampa Bay visit Washington. In the second quarter, Brad Johnson threw deep for an apparent 29-yard touchdown pass to newly-acquired wide receiver Joey Galloway. Galloway, was unable to secure the ball, and suffered a groin injury on the play. After a Martin Gramatica field goal, the Buccaneers entered halftime trailing 10-3.

Ronde Barber tied the score at 10-10 after he recovered a Mark Brunell fumble 9 yards for a touchdown. After an interception, Washington, managed two field goals in the fourth period, and held on to win 16-10.

Week 2: Seattle Seahawks (lost 6-10)

Brad Johnson struggled mightily, completing only 4-of-7 for 34 yards and one interception. Jon Gruden pulled Johnson after the first quarter and replaced him with second year player Chris Simms, to the delight of fans.

Simms drove the Buccaneers to the Seattle 1 yard line. Attempting a quarterback sneak on third-and-goal, Simms fumbled the snap. Tampa Bay settled for a field goal and a 10-3 halftime deficit. In the fourth quarter, another field goal narrowed the game to 10-6. With just over two minutes left, Simms drove the Buccaneers to the Seattle 26. The game ended, however, after he was intercepted with 1:11 to go.

Simms debut yielded mixed results; 175 yard passing, but no touchdowns, and two costly turnovers. The Buccaneers started the season 0-2.

Week 3: at Oakland Raiders (lost 20-30)

Tampa Bay traveled to Oakland, for a rematch of Super Bowl XXXVII on "Sunday Night Football". The game saw the Buccaneers face former player Warren Sapp (who signed with Oakland in the offseason) for the first time.

Brad Johnson was back in place at starting quarterback, but his numbers were again medicore. He threw two interceptions (one was returned for a touchdown). Trailing 30-6, Johnson managed two fourth quarter touchdown passes (Tampa Bay's first offensive touchdowns of the season), but the comeback stalled, and the Buccaneers started the season 0-3.

Week 4: Denver Broncos (lost 13-16)

Tampa Bay's dismal start continued, as they dropped to 0-4 on the season. Brad Johnson connected with Michael Clayton for a 51-yard touchdown in the first half, but three Jason Elam field goals proved to be the winning edge for Denver.

Week 5: at New Orleans Saints (won 20-17)

Tampa Bay broke a six-game losing streak (dating back to 2003), defeating the Saints 20-17. Slumping Brad Johnson was benched for the season, and Chris Simms started at quarterback. Simms' first NFL start was short-lived, however, as he left the game in the first quarter with a sprained shoulder. Brian Griese took over at quarterback, later connecting on a 45-yard touchdown to Ken Dilger, which proved to be the winning margin.

Week 6: at St. Louis Rams (lost 21-28)

Tampa Bay faced St. Louis on Monday Night Football for the fourth time in five seasons. A Michael Pittman fumble was returned 93 yards for a touchdown by Adam Archuleta, and Martin Gramatica missed two field goal attempts, sinking the Buccaneers' chances at victory.

Week 7: Chicago Bears (won 19-7)

Michael Pittman rushed for 109 yards, and Brian Griese threw a touchdwon pass as Tampa Bay prevailed over the visiting Chicago Bears.

Week 8: Open date

Tampa Bay's bye week was scheduled for week 8.

Week 9: Kansas City Chiefs (won 34-31)

The lone highlight game of Tampa Bay's forgetfull 2004 season came against Kansas City in week 9. Brian Griese threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns, while Michael Pittman rushed for 128 yards on the ground.

Late in the first quarter, Trent Green connected to Eddie Kennison for a 59-yard gain to the Tampa Bay 11 yard line. Dwight Smith forced a fumble, and Brian Kelly returned the fumble 32 yards for the Buccaneers. The turnover led to a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

Early in the third quarter, Pittman broke away for a 78-yard touchdown run, the longest in Buccaneer history. Tampa Bay took the lead 34-31 after another Pittman score with 12 minutes to go.

Jermaine Phillips sealed the game for Tampa Bay, intercepting Green with just under six minutes left. Kansas City had one final chance, but the Buccaneer defense forced a turnover on downs with only 1:15 to go.

Week 10: at Atlanta Falcons (lost 14-24)

Michael Vick rushed for 76 yards, and had 176 yard passing, as Tampa Bay fell to division rival Atlanta.

Week 11: San Francisco 49ers (won 35-3)

Tampa Bay crushed the lowly 49ers) 35-3. Brian Griese passed for 210 yards and two touchdown passes, and Michael Pittman rushed for 106 yards and two touchdown runs.

Tampa Bay won their fourth game out of the last six, and improved to 4-6 on the season.

Week 12: at Carolina Panthers (lost 21-14)

Brian Griese threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns, but mistakes cost the Buccaneers dearly, and they fell to Carolina 21-14.

A Griese interception was returned for a touchdown, and Martin Gramaticas kicking woes continued. He missed two field goal attempts during the game, which brought his season total to 8 misses.

Week 13: Atlanta Falcons (won 27-0)

Kicker Martin Gramatica was benched for the season, and journeyman veteran Jay Taylor took his place. Tampa Bay crushed Atlanta 27-0, knocking Michael Vick out of the game for a play, forcing two fumbles, and one interception.

At 5-7, Tampa Bay found themeselves only one game out of the NFC wild card hunt.

Week 14: at San Diego Chargers (lost 24-31)

Brian Griese threw for 392 yards, but four turnovers foiled Tampa Bay's chances for victory against the San Diego Chargers. Tied 21-21 with 4 minutes remaining, Griese's pass was intercepted and returned for a game icing touchdown.

Week 15: New Orleans Saints (lost 17-21)

Former Buccaneer Aaron Stecker returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown (something he never accomplished playing for Tampa Bay) as New Orleans beat Tampa Bay 21-17. Tampa Bay fell to 5-9, guaranteed themselves of their second consecutive losing season, and effectively eliminated themselves from playoff contention.

The Buccaneers led 17-7 with just over 3 minutes to go, but late-game miscues on offense and defense sunk the Buccaneers. Aaron Brooks connected on two touchdowns in the final three minutes, lifting the Saints to victory.

Week 16: Carolina Panthers (lost 20-37)

Carolina routed Tampa Bay 37-20 in front of an only partially-full Raymond James Stadium. Trailing 24-7, Brian Griese connected for two touchdown passes, but the comeback was for naught.

Week 17: at Arizona Cardinals (lost 7-12)

Chris Simms returned from injury to start his second game. A 75-yard touchdown pass to Michael Clayton gave the Buccaneers a 7-6 lead. Four turnovers, however, kept the game out of reach, and Tampa Bay lost to the four field goals by Arizona.

Tampa Bay started the season with 4 straight losses, ended the season with 4 straight losses, and finished a hapless 5-11.

Division standings

References

* [http://www.bucpower.com BUCPOWER]