1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
| 1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | John McKay |
| Owner | Hugh Culverhouse |
| Home field | Tampa Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 2–12 |
| Division place | 5th NFC Central |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | 0 |
| Team MVP | Lee Roy Selmon |
The 1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season continued the losing streak that encompassed the entire 1976 season, and extended it to 26 games, which as of 2015 remains a record in the National Football League. Fear of becoming the Buccaneers’ first victim provided motivation to opposing teams. It took nearly two seasons for the Buccaneers to achieve their first franchise victory, a 33–14 win over the New Orleans Saints in the second-to-last game of the year. A crowd of 8,000 celebrating fans gathered at team headquarters to greet the team on their return from New Orleans. The very next week, the Bucs earned their first home victory, over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Coach John McKay declared the team to be "stronger at every position, with the exception of the quarterback position" than the 1976 team. Injuries, especially at quarterback and offensive line, prevented the offense from gaining any consistency, while the inexperienced line was able to provide neither adequate pass protection nor lanes for the running backs. Opponents lauded the Buccaneer defense's performance, even while posting record numbers of sacks against the Tampa Bay offense. The offense managed only six touchdowns in the entire season, and set a league record of six shutout losses that still stands.
Rumors began to circulate alleging that the Buccaneers were a disorganized and confused organization, and returning veterans were promised that changes were forthcoming. It was pointed out that none of the team's administrative staff had any experience in their position, at the same time that a team of rookie players and coaches was being fielded. These problems were addressed with the firings and resignations of six coaches and administrators at the beginning of the year. Head coach John McKay used the opportunity to take control of more aspects of the organization, and selected replacements of his choosing. McKay was criticized over his handling of the players, and was accused of cutting veterans who could have helped the team, such as Ira Gordon, over ego conflicts. A perception arose that McKay was intolerant toward challenges to his authority, as he frequently cut players who argued with him, and surrounded himself with former USC players and staff. Concern that McKay preferred players who would keep their mouth shut, rather than players with talent, produced resentment among veterans who worried that their limited career spans would be spent with a losing team. Critics accused McKay of attempting a style of play that was more appropriate for the college game, and noted Don Shula's comment that preparing for the Buccaneers was like preparing to play USC. Reporters who covered the team indicated that McKay did not respond to the losing streak with the humor that it was hoped he would, but that he became an "old grouch" who complained about his coaching assistants, game-day officiating, and opposing coaches who he accused of running up the score. This was reflected in a bitter tone that had crept into McKay's trademark humor, with comments such as "I keep a picture of O.J. Simpson by my side at all times to remind me of the days when I knew how to coach".
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