The 1983 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 8th season in the National Football League the 8th playing their home games at Tampa Stadium and the 8th under head coach John McKay. They failed to improve on their 5–4 record from 1982 and finished with an equal league-worst 2–14 record as personnel changes and a rash of injuries and missed out the playoffs for the first time since 1980.
The team was unable to agree on a contract with quarterback Doug Williams, resulting in his departure for the USFL. The loss of Williams was believed to be a major distraction to the team. Jack Thompson was acquired from the Cincinnati Bengals as what was termed "an insurance move" during Williams' negotiations, for a draft choice that would turn out to be the top pick in the 1984 NFL Draft.
After the Buccaneers' first-ever undefeated preseason, the regular season began with a long losing streak. The Buccaneers missed Williams' strong arm and scrambling ability and were forced to remake their offense as a short passing attack, with running back James Wilder Sr. as the primary target. Opponents were able to shut down that short attack, and the Buccaneers were successful at neither running the ball nor completing deep passes. The team's record was somewhat deceptive: they lost numerous close games but failed to execute at key times. According to McKay, "I think the other teams looking at us respect us. I don't think anyone is volunteering to play us".[1] Opposing coach Bud Grant pointed out that they were "losing games they should've won".[2] The Buccaneers took their opponents into overtime several times during a season that included a record number of overtime games league-wide.[3] Nine of their losses were by a touchdown or less, and six by a field goal or less. Several games were lost due to problems in the kicking game, which led to McKay's famous pronouncement that (kicker Bill) "Capece is kaput".[4] This season ended the Buccaneers' streak of having made the playoffs during three of the last four seasons, and began an NFL-record streak of fourteen consecutive losing seasons, thirteen of which saw the team lose at least ten games.
Injuries plagued the team. James Wilder emerged as one of the NFL's best running backs,[5] but was not able to finish the season due to injury. Eighteen different players spent time on the injured reserve list over the course of the season,[6] and only three started all sixteen games.[7] Every member of the offensive line suffered an early-season injury,[8] and the linebackers and defensive backfield were also hit hard. McKay blamed the team's problems on lack of effort and threatened personnel changes, while admitting that replacements would not be readily found. Attendance declined, and fans called for McKay's retirement.[9] Owner Hugh Culverhouse reported an expected loss of $1.25 million due to declining ticket sales, while merchants reported a drop in merchandise sales.[10][11] The team's final 2–14 record tied them with the Houston Oilers for the league's worst mark, but the Buccaneers were awarded last place over the Oilers by virtue of their opponents' worse combined winning percentage.[12]
^Eisen, Michael (October 1, 1983). "Packers, Bucs hope to reverse fortunes". United Press International.
^Kale, Gary (November 5, 1983). "NFL Roundup". United Press International.
^Rosen, Byron (November 1, 1983). "Longer and Longer". The Washington Post.
^Scheiber, Dave (December 19, 1983). "Capece is kaput, announces McKay". St. Petersburg Times.
^McDonald, Tim (November 5, 1983). "Buccaneers brace for a lonely trip to Minnesota". St. Petersburg Evening Independent.
^Zier, Patrick (December 16, 1983). "Bucs sign kicker; he'll see action against Lions". The Lakeland Ledger.
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