A Final Look at the 2007 Season

In a season that will forever be defined by resurgent veterans, emerging rookies, injuries and kickoff returns, 2007 will live on in Buccaneers history as one of the most successful. Even though the Bucs failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs, they made it to the playoffs, a big boost following a 4-12 season. For the last time, let’s look at the 2007 season that produced not only another NFC South Division Title for the Bucs, but also a lifetime of memories.

Starting the season on the hotseat, coach Jon Gruden needed his Bucs to do something good and do it fast. The Bucs were optimistic, picking up some key free agents in the offseason, including QB Jeff Garcia, and defensive specialists Luke Petitgout and Cato June. The Bucs also picked up pass/rush specialist Gaines Adams in the draft. Picking up several other defensive players in the draft, the Bucs appeared to be set on defense. The offense posed more questions. Things did fall in place in time for the preseason, as the Bucs enjoyed a 3-1 record. Expectations for the Bucs weren’t high, as they only hoped to avenge a 4-win season the year before.

The year started off with promise, but that quickly turned to despair, as the Bucs lost their season opener to the Seattle Seahawks. Things quickly turned around in week 2, as the Bucs pounded their division rival, the New Orleans Saints. They went on to win 2 more games, starting the season with a 3-1 record. In their 3rd victory against Carolina, the Bucs suffered a setback, losing running back Cadillac Williams and tackle Luke Petitgout for the season. The Bucs won that game, but lost the next week to Indianapolis. The following week, they beat the Titans, but then lost two in a row. In that time span, they lost more players to injury, including Michael Pittman, Alex Smith, and Mark Jones. Following the two losses, the Bucs went on a 4-game win streak, before enduring a loss. They would win only one more game the rest of the season, losing the final two in the regular season, and their only playoff game.

With all the injuries, several players had to step up and fill the void. Most notably was Earnest Graham, the third-string running back, who came off the bench and rushed for almost 1,000 yards. He also scored 10 rushing touchdowns, and set a Buccaneer record for most consecutive games with a touchdown. The likes of Tanard Jackson and Greg White became very well known also. Luke McCown also got his name out when he filled in for an injured Jeff Garcia. The young guns were stepping in and playing as if they were veterans. While the veterans remained healthy, they played as if they were twenty years old again. Jeff Garcia and Joey Galloway both enjoyed spectacular years, both being reborn in a sense of age.

Due to injuries, a young kick returner named Micheal Spurlock was thrust into the limelight. Having never returned kicks in high school or college, this was still relatively new to Spurlock. Fortunately, it didn’t matter. On December 16, 2007, on kickoff return number 1,865, history happened. Micheal Spurlock raced 90 yards down the sideline for the first kickoff return for a touchdown in the Buccaneers 32-year history. Done by the unlikeliest of players, Spurlock has his name etched in Buccaneers history forever, earning a title that might not mean much to other teams, but means so much to the Buccaneers.

Everything fell in place for the 2007 season. Even though many players were taken out by injury, others stepped in to fill the void, and they all made names for themselves. Jeff Garcia proved to be a huge pickup for the Bucs, as he led one of the most productive offenses in recent years. When he was injured, there was something missing on offense that nobody could fill.

32 years are in the books. In the Bucs 32 years, they have only one Super Bowl title, and only a few division titles. Memories have been made every year, just as they have in this year. Enjoying a successful season, the Bucs can now look forward to 2008, in hopes that they can add even more happy memories to their legacy.