Category: Latest Team News

ESPN names the greatest one-hit wonder in Buccaneers history

Find out which player/play was dubbed the biggest one-hit wonder in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history by ESPN’s NFL Nation.

When we think of one-hit wonders, we usually imagine some band from the 90s like New Radicals or Semisonic.

But ESPN’s NFL Nation decided to have a little fun with the concept, looking at one-hit wonders for each NFL team.

Here’s how they summed up the criteria for being a one-hit wonder: These are the 32 players who had one great game or season and never made a big impact in the NFL again.

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they picked former wide receiver and return man Michael Spurlock, who in Week 15 of the 2007 season against the Atlanta Falcons, made history with his 90-yard kickoff return.

“Spurlock became the first Buccaneer in the franchise’s 32-year history to return a kickoff for a touchdown in a regular-season game when he streaked down the sideline in the first quarter of a Week 15 game against the Falcons. Legendary Bucs radio announcer Gene Deckerhoff infamously shouted, ‘Run, Micheal, run!’ while Matt Vasgersian exclaimed on the TV call, ‘Could it be that the great curse has been lifted?!'”

For those wanting to see the highlight in all its glory, here it is from the broadcast.

So, whatever became of Spurlock? Jenna Laine has you covered.

“Ironically, after Spurlock was cut and re-signed by the Bucs, he did it again against the Falcons on a squib kick in 2010. He spent the final six seasons of his career (2009-14) with seven teams, including the Bucs. He finished with five combined kick- and punt-return touchdowns.”

I’m sorry, but anytime you return a kick for a touchdown, it’s a highlight-worthy moment. Sounds like Spurlock had several, so maybe one-hit wonder isn’t so accurate a description.

Let’s give the guy some respect.

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‘Good Morning Football’ calls Vita Vea one of the best players we’re not talking about

See what the folks over on “Good Morning Football” had to say about Buccaneers nose tackle Vita Vea.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally got the proverbial monkey off their back last Sunday when they defeated the Arizona Cardinals and put an end to their four-game skid.

The Bucs entered their Week 10 contest just 2-6 after going 1-4 during a brutal five-game road trip away from Raymond James Stadium. Now, back in the friendly confines of their home stadium, the Bucs will look to keep the momentum going in Week 11 when Drew Brees and the division-leading New Orleans Saints come to town.

The Bucs secondary will have its work cut out for them as the team parted ways with cornerback and former first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves yesterday. Fortunately, for Tampa Bay, they still have the league’s best rush defense, giving up just 77.8 yards per game.

One of the big reasons they’ve been so great up front has been the play of second-year man Vita Vea. He not only played defense in their win over the Cardinals, but he saw some action on the offensive side of the ball, too.

And, according to NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” Vea is one of the best players in the NFL we aren’t talking about.

Take a look.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Vea get some more looks on offense. I think Bucs fans everywhere would like to see a little Refrigerator Perry action at some point.

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Saints vs. Buccaneers: Time, TV and how to watch online

Find out how you can watch and listen to all of Week 11’s action between the New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the NFL’s worst secondaries, and things aren’t going to get any easier for the Bucs defense in Week 11.

After beating the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday to stop their four-game losing-streak, the Bucs made the surprise decision today to waive former first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves, who was benched during Week 10’s win for lack of hustle.

Now, an already struggling secondary will be without their veteran with the New Orleans Saints coming to town. The Saints are coming off a shocking home loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, so you can be sure Drew Brees — who was out with a thumb injury when these two teams first met back in Week 5 — will look to pick this secondary apart with receiver Michael Thomas.

Find out how you can watch and listen to all of Week 11’s action.

Game information:

New Orleans Saints @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kickoff: Sunday, November 17, at 1:00 p.m. E.T.

Venue: Raymond James Stadium

How to Listen:

98ROCK (97.9 – Tampa)

The Boot (103.9 FM – Brooksville)

ESPN SW Florida (99.3 FM – Ft. Myers/Naples/Punta Gorda)

Citrus (95.3 FM – Homosassa)

WLKF (96.7 FM and 1430 AM – Lakeland)

WYGM (740 AM/ 96.9 FM – Orlando and Melbourne)

ESPN Tallahassee (97.9 FM – Tallahassee)

En Español

WTMP-FM 96.1, 101.9 and WMGG-AM 1470 (Tampa)

WIXC – AM 1060 (Melbourne/Orlando)

Satellite Radio

Sirius/XM Channel 88

Stream

You can stream the game live on Fubo TV. (Start your free trial).

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Cutting Vernon Hargreaves further proves 2016 NFL Draft was one of the franchise’s worst

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut former first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves, further proving the 2016 NFL Draft was one of the franchise’s worst.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the decision today to cut former first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves, just days after Bruce Arians benched the veteran cornerback for lack of hustle during Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Hargreaves was the team’s first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft (11th overall), and came into the draft ranked as one of the top two cornerbacks in his class. But, after playing all 16 games his rookie year, Hargreaves struggled to stay healthy over the last two seasons, playing a total of just 10 games entering 2019. This year, he’d started all nine of the team’s games, but cutting him was a smart business move by the Bucs given the defender’s history of getting hurt.

Still, biding farewell to Hargreaves further proves that the 2016 draft was a nightmare for both general manager Jason Licht and the Buccaneers franchise. In fact, only one player drafted by the team in 2016 is still on the roster.

Take a look at this tweet, courtesy of Jenna Laine of ESPN.

“Vernon Hargreaves’ departure means that just ONE of Jason Licht’s 2016 draft picks remain on the current roster: Ryan Smith, who has played just five defensive snaps this year. Noah Spence, Roberto Aguayo, Caleb Benenoch, Devante Bond and Danny Vitale were all cut.”

I think Bucs fans will always remember that draft as the Aguayo Draft.

It seemed for a while that Hargreaves may finally develop into the player the Bucs were hoping for, but his lack of effort in Week 10 was apparently the final straw.

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Cutting Vernon Hargreaves was a smart business move by the Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ decision to cut cornerback Vernon Hargreaves likely had a lot to do with his 2020 option.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the surprising move of cutting former first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves today, just days after the cornerback was benched for lack of hustle during the team’s win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Hargreaves, who started all nine games this season and had an interception and touchdown back in Week 1, is still guaranteed the rest of his 2019 salary. But, by cutting Hargreaves now, the team made a smart business move, one that could’ve been costly had they kept him on the roster.

While Hargreaves has played in all nine games this year, he played in just 10 total over the previous two seasons, so he certainly has a history of suffering season-ending injuries.

It’s clear Hargreaves didn’t fit into the team’s long-term plans, so better to part ways now rather than risk paying him more.

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Twitter reacts to Buccaneers cutting CB Vernon Hargreaves

Statement from Jason Licht on cutting Vernon Hargreaves… pic.twitter.com/yLz6ubYE8E – JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) November 12, 2019 The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the stunning move today of cutting former first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves, who …

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the stunning move today of cutting former first-round pick Vernon Hargreaves, who was benched during Sunday’s win over the Arizona Cardinals for lack of hustle.

“He didn’t look like he was hustling to go in for a tackle,” said Arians, via Jenna Laine of ESPN.

The move ends a rather disappointing run in Tampa Bay for the cornerback who was selected 11th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. Hargreaves played and started in all 16 games his rookie season, but due to injuries, played in just 10 games total over the following two years. He had started all nine of Tampa Bay’s games this year, recording an interception and touchdown in the team’s Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

At just 24 years old, Hargreaves is sure to get an opportunity elsewhere. For now, though, see how Twitter reacted to the surprising news.

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Bucs claim Aaron Stinnie off waivers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently in the midst of more roster moves.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have officially claimed offensive guard Aaron Stinnie off waivers. In the midst of the transaction, the Bucs waived Nate Trewyn to make room on the team’s 53-man roster.

Stinnie joins the Buccaneers after being released from the Titans earlier this week. His stint with the Titans includes seeing action in one game last year and three this year. However, he hasn’t played the last six games.

The 6-foot-2, 312 pound powerhouse made Tennessee’s roster in 2018 after a successful college career at James Madison. He originally joined the league as an undrafted free agent.

According to the Bucs’ official website, Stinnie has experience playing interior line and tackle which should hopefully ignite a spark in the Bucs offensive line.

 

Bucs underdogs at home in Week 11 for the first time all season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the New Orleans Saints in Week 11 as home underdogs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a big Week 10 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Not only did it stop Tampa Bay’s four-game losing-streak, but it was also the team’s first game at Raymond James Stadium since Week 3.

A grueling 1-4 road stretch had the team at 2-6 before Sunday’s big win. But, if the Bucs want to continue to climb back to .500, they’ll have to take down Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.

New Orleans is coming off a stunning 26-9 home loss in Week 10 to the Atlanta Falcons, and the risk of falling further behind in the NFC playoff picture will have them playing in desperation mode against the Bucs.

Sportsbooks like New Orleans in this one as the Saints have opened up as -5.5 point favorites. It’s the first time the Bucs have been underdogs at Raymond James all season.

Remember, though, Week 5’s loss to the Saints was the start of the Bucs’ four-game skid, so revenge is very much on the mind of this team. I wouldn’t be surprised if this line moves before the game in favor of Tampa Bay.

As the Atlanta Falcons proved, when playing a familiar division foe, records mean nothing.

[Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.]

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Bruce Arians liked what he saw from TE O.J. Howard on Sunday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians talked about tight end O.J. Howard and Sunday’s big win over the Arizona Cardinals.

It seems a little home cooking was just what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to get back on the winning track.

After playing away from Raymond James Stadium since Week 3, the Bucs returned home in Week 10 and halted their four-game skid by taking down the Arizona Cardinals, 30-27.

While quarterback Jameis Winston had two more interceptions, he did have one touchdown pass — to tight end O.J. Howard of all people.

For Howard, who missed the previous two games with a hamstring injury, it was his first touchdown of the season. Hopefully, Sunday’s performance (four receptions for 47 yards and the score) is a sign of things to come in the second half of the season.

Head coach Bruce Arians, who put Howard on blast earlier this season for his poor play, talked today about Howard’s performance on Sunday.

Take a look.

The Bucs will play at home again in Week 11 when the New Orleans Saints come to visit.

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