The Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise has come a long way since entering the NFL in 1976. Now, on the brink of a Super Bowl, helmed but the consensus Greatest-Quarterback-of-All-Time, it’s strange to think this club went 0-14 with a record-worst -287 point differential in it’s inaugural season. Of course, they’ve had a couple great teams since then, including a Super Bowl championship squad in 2002. The question is, though, was that champion Bucs team better than the one they have right now?
This Tom Brady-led edition came into the year with plenty of hype, and delivered with an 11-5 record and an NFC Championship, at least. That 2002 Super Bowl team, however, finished with a better record (12-4) and had a better point differential (150 to 137). Given the sheer amount of talent on Tampa’s current team, with Brady as their ultimate trump card, it seems hard to imagine that the ’02 version quarterbacked by Brad Johnson could truly be better.
Latest Buccaneers News
So, in order to determine which of the two Buccaneer Super Bowl teams is best, let’s compare them in five major categories.
Offense
The ’20 Bucs rank third in total points and seventh in yards. In ’02, the Bucs finished 18th and 24th in those stats respectively. That type of stark differential pretty much ends the debate before it begins. But to put a finer point on it, this year’s Tampa team scored over 20 points in all but two of their games. That 02′ squad, on the other hand, scored 20 or fewer points in half their games. Today’s team is even safer with the ball despite doing so much more with it, as it commited 17 regular-season turnovers to the ’02 team’s 21.
Defense
Scoring points may not have been the ’02 squad’s forte, but preventing them sure enough was. The 2002 Buccaneers defense looms as one of the greatest of all time. That year’s unit finished first in both yards and points against, and held opponents to 10 or fewer points in a whopping nine of a possible 16 regular season games.
The ’20 defense is nothing to sneeze at, but it can’t hold a candle to that legendary 02′ unit. This year’s squad finished eighth in points against and sixth in yards against, but it’s real calling card is run defense. Tampa Bay wound up first in rushing yards allowed this season, but it’s bottom-third passing defense was it’s achilles heel.
Coaching
That 02′ team was coached by the notorious Jon Gruden, who came over from the Oakland Raiders to juice the Buccaneers’ lagging offense. He didn’t turn the team into a high-scoring juggernaut, but he improved the offense enough to allow the defense to carry them to a championship. Their defensive coordinator was the venerable Monte Kiffin, one of the NFL’s best ever assistants. The rest of the staff featured some pretty prominent names, including future head coaches Jay Gruden, Mike Tomlin, and Rod Marinelli.
This year’s iteration is of course coached by Bruce Arians, who’s been a highly successful offensive coordinator and head coach for well over a decade now. Todd Bowles, the team’s defensive coordinator, is former head coach with the New York Jets, and has done a tremendous job scheming up the Bucs’ aggressive, smothering defense.
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphins
by Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Perhaps it’s only thanks to the benefit of hindsight, but we’ll give the coaching edge to the 02′ team.
Quarterback
Tom Brady vs. Brad Johnson. Enough said.
Star Power
Big names aren’t hard to find on either of these rosters. For the ’02 squad, most of their stars were found on defense. Warren Sapp, John Lynch, Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, and Simeon Rice were all Pro Bowl-calibre players that populated that dominant unit. Keyshawn Johnson was pretty much the only high-profile player on their offense, but Mike Alstott deserves an honorable mention for being the NFL’s last prominent fullback.
This year’s Buccaneers team, though, might be the most star-studded team in recent memory. Of course there’s Brady, but Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, and Rob Gronkowski are all household names in their own right. Not to mention, Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette as secondary offensive stars is pretty ridiculous. On defense, the front-seven is chock-full of familiar names. Jason Pierre-Paul, Shaquil Barrett, Lavonte David, and Ndamukong Suh are all established football-celebrities. Second-year linebacker Devin White is an emerging star as well.
Conclusion
So there you have it. The ’02 Buccaneers were a great team, the culmination of the best era in Tampa Bay football history. But this year’s team, thanks to their elite offense, hall-of-fame quarterback, and glittering star-power on both sides of the ball, is just a bit better. No matter if they win or lose on Sunday, Buccaneers fans are looking at the best their franchise has ever had to offer.
– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 111: Joe Horrigan Returns To Remember Vietnam Veteran And Former Bills OT Bob Kalsuby Full Press Coverage on May 25, 2022 at 9:25 pm
As we approach Memorial Day, Joe Horrigan returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 110: New Playoff Teams In 2022; Best Matchups On NFL Scehduleby Full Press Coverage on May 20, 2022 at 3:42 am
Clark, Ira, and Ian give their four teams that didn't make the NFL […]
-
Ep 109: Hall of Fame Voter Ed Bouchette Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on May 12, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Long time Steelers writer and current Hall of Fame voter, Ed Bouchette […]
-
Ep 235: Most Rostered Dynasty Players in 2022by Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm
-
Ep 234: Madman Trade Showby Full Press Coverage on June 23, 2022 at 9:36 pm
-
Ep 233: Rookie Draft Roundupby Full Press Coverage on June 9, 2022 at 2:59 am
-
Ep 232: Philosophy of Fantasy Footballby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:32 pm
-
Early NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
From Full Press Hockey Weekly, Jim Biringer and Chris Wassel give their […]
-
Patriots Odds To Win AFC... I'll Take That Betby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:58 pm
From FPC Radio LIVE, hosts Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti discuss the New […]
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
Ian and John react to the Kevin Durant trade request and the wild start to […]
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
Ian and John discuss the Avalanche winning the Stanley Cup and the […]
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John are back to discuss the World Series of Poker, the NBA Finals […]
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 5 and what they have to do […]
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics loss in Game 4 and look ahead to Game 5 […]
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
Ian and John discuss the Celtics Game Two win as well as if they are […]
-
6/10 - Jason Alexander; Tom Brady; Celtics/Warriorsby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm
Ian and John discuss the Tom Brady non answer, Jason Alexander's weekend, […]
-
6/6 - Josh Allen Overhyped? Celtics/Warriors Game Twoby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Ian and John discuss whether or not Josh Allen is being overhyped and they […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Ep 37: Matt Ryan Traded To The Colts; Jameis Returns To NOLA; Mariota to ATLby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2022 at 6:00 pm
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts […]
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Talkamania Episode 228by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:04 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 188 "MITB Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on June 26, 2022 at 10:25 pm
Rucker and Marty are back talking the updated Forbidden Door ppv, injuries […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 186 "Cody Did What?"by Boot 2 The Face on June 13, 2022 at 12:21 am
Boys are back talking WWE HIAC, and the crazy effort put forth by Cody […]
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
-
Ep 235: Most Rostered Dynasty Players in 2022by Full Press Coverage on June 30, 2022 at 2:03 pm
-
Early NHL Offseason Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 8:00 pm
-
Ep 74: Bruce Cassidy Fired; Bergeron Returning?; Bruins Front Office Blameby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 5:48 pm
-
Patriots Odds To Win AFC... I'll Take That Betby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:58 pm
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
-
Hockey Hall of Fame Reaction; Making The Case For Alexander Mogilnyby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
Ep. 191 - Kyrie Irving Craziness Part 2000by Full Press Coverage on June 28, 2022 at 11:07 pm
-
Episode 53 Criss Partee breaks down the latest NBA offseason newsby Full Press Coverage on June 28, 2022 at 5:50 am
-
7/1 - Kevin Durant Requests Trade; NBA Offseason Begins With a Bangby Full Press Coverage on July 1, 2022 at 6:42 pm
-
6/29 - Avs Win Stanley Cup; NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 1:56 pm
-
6/24 - WSOP; NBA Finals Talk; Stanley Cup Coming To An End; NBA Draftby Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm
-
6/15 - Celtics Falter In San Fran, Can They Force A Game 7?by Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 4:23 pm
-
6/13 - Goodfellas; Celtics/Warriors, Stanley Cup Finalby Full Press Coverage on June 13, 2022 at 4:46 pm
-
Are The Celtics In The Heads Of The Warriors?by Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 5:50 pm
-
6/10 - Jason Alexander; Tom Brady; Celtics/Warriorsby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 2:24 pm
-
6/6 - Josh Allen Overhyped? Celtics/Warriors Game Twoby Full Press Coverage on June 6, 2022 at 2:46 pm
-
6/3 - Celtics Take Game One From Golden Stateby Full Press Coverage on June 3, 2022 at 10:46 pm
-
5/27 - RIP Ray Liotta; Golden State Advances; Celtics On The Vergeby Full Press Coverage on May 27, 2022 at 7:00 pm