A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Malcolm Glazer |
| General manager | Mark Dominik |
| Head coach | Raheem Morris |
| Home field | Raymond James Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 4–12 |
| Division place | 4th NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | G Davin Joseph |
| Uniform | |
 | |
The 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 36th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the third and final under head coach Raheem Morris. The team competed in the NFC South. Both of their preseason home games, and seven of their regular season home games were played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. One regular season home game (October 23) was played at Wembley Stadium in London as part of the NFL International Series.[1]
Tampa Bay had high hopes for 2011. The team had not qualified for the playoffs since 2007, and that they attempted to build upon their success from the previous season. In 2010, Tampa Bay had finished with a 10–6 record, but lost out on tiebreakers and failed to make the playoffs. With the youngest head coach, and the youngest roster in terms of average age, in the league, and with anxious optimism, head coach Raheem Morris nicknamed the team "youngry."[2] A close loss to Detroit on opening day was followed by a three-game winning streak and a fairly respectable 4–2 start with wins against division opponents Atlanta and New Orleans. Tampa Bay was in a tie for first place in the NFC South in mid-October. However, self-inflicted troubles started affecting the season, leading to a ten-game losing streak to finish the season. After the 4–2 start, the team did not win another game. Turnovers, penalties, and poor defense began taking its toll. Quarterback Josh Freeman's threw 22 interceptions (second-worst in the league), more than triple his total from 2010. The once dominating Tampa Bay defense ranked 30th in the league in total yards.
Statistically, the Buccaneers defense was among the worst in the league in 2011. Tampa Bay allowed the most points in the league (494), the most yards per play (tied at 6.3), most yards per pass attempt (tied at 7.6), the most rushing yards (2,497) and the most rushing touchdowns (26). They also allowed the second most yards per attempt (5.0), the second most rushing first downs (135), the third most total yards (6,311) and fourth most total first downs (356) of all teams in 2011.[3]
Offseason
2011 draft board
After finishing the 2010 season 10–6 and narrowly missing the playoffs, the Buccaneers had the 20th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. A provision in the now expired collective bargaining agreement ensured that the draft still take place, despite the current lockout and lack of a new CBA.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 | Adrian Clayborn | Defensive end | Iowa | |
| 2 | 51 | Da'Quan Bowers | Defensive end | Clemson | |
| 3 | 84 | Mason Foster | Outside linebacker | Washington | |
| 4 | 116 | Luke Stocker | Tight end | Tennessee | |
| 5 | 151 | Ahmad Black | Strong safety | Florida | [dr 1] |
| 6 | 187 | Allen Bradford | Running back | Southern California | [dr 2] [dr 3] |
| 7 | 222 | Anthony Gaitor | Cornerback | Florida International | |
| 7 | 238 | Daniel Hardy | Tight end | Idaho | [dr 4] |
Draft notes
- ^ The Buccaneers traded one of its two fifth-round selections (#135 overall, previously acquired from the Denver Broncos in exchange for two 2010 seventh round selections) to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for the Chiefs' sixth-round selection (#187 overall) and DT Alex Magee.
- ^ In March 2010, the Buccaneers traded its original sixth-round selection (#184 overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for WR Reggie Brown.
- ^ See draft note 1.
- ^ Compensatory selection.
Roster changes
Sources: as of 09/28/2011 2:00 p.m. EDT
- Clubs are allowed 90 active players at the opening of training camp.
- Clubs must cut rosters to 80 active players by August 30.
- Clubs must cut final rosters to 53 active players by September 3.
Players re-signed
Players signed
- Michael Koenen
- Devin Holland
- Zac Diles
Raymond Webber(IR)- Zack Pianalto (claimed off waivers)
- Chris Riley (claimed off waivers)
- Albert Haynesworth (claimed off waivers)
- Matt Clapp
- Collin Franklin
- Swanson Miller
- Nic Grinsby
- Daniel Te'o-Nesheim
Players released/losses
- Carnell Williams (StL)
- Barrett Ruud (Ten)
- Maurice Stovall (Det)
- John Gilmore (Pit)
- Quintin Borders
- Josh Jasper
- Doug Worthington (Wash)
- Mike Coughlin
- Aaron Feld
- Deonte Jackson
- Victor Aiyewa
- Jose Cruz
- Brandon Carter
- Aundrae Allison
- Vince Anderson
- Brandon Gilbeaux
- Detron Lewis
- Robert Malone (Det)
- Jock Sanders
- Ashton Youboty
- Rendrick Taylor
- Tyrone McKenzie (Min)
- Kyle Moore (Det)
- Armando Allen (Chi)
- John Malecki
- Matt Allen
- Cory Brandon
- Thomas Claiborne
- Jonathan Crompton (Wash)
- Marc Dile
- Daniel Hardy
- Dominique Harris
- Brandon Heath
- Simoni Lawrence
- Alex Magee
- Nathan Overbay
- Maurice Price
- Ryan Purvis
- Nick Reveiz
- Jacob Rogers
- Al Woods (Det)
- D. J. Johnson (Min)
- Scott Albritton
- Ross Homan
- Will Barker (Mia)
- Allen Bradford (Sea)
Practice Squad
Injuries/reserve lists
- Andrew Economos was placed on the PUP list (Sept. 3); he was re-activated November 4.
- Cody Grimm suffered damage to the MCL in his right knee (week 3)[4] and was placed on injured reserve.
- Running back Earnest Graham was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during the game against Chicago.
- Gerald McCoy was placed in injured reserve with an arm injury (November 7)
Selected staff and personnel
- Head coach Raheem Morris – Club exercised two-year contract extension (fired January 2, 2012)
- General manager Mark Dominik – Four-year contract extension
- Pat Morris named offensive line coach.
- Keith Millard named defensive line coach.
- Grady Stretz named defensive line coach.
Preseason
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 12 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 25–0 | 1–0 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | August 18 | New England Patriots | L 14–31 | 1–1 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 27 | Miami Dolphins | W 17–13 | 2–1 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 1 | at Washington Redskins | L 24–29 | 2–2 | FedExField | Recap |
- On March 21, 2011, Aqib Talib was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following an incident in Garland, Texas, in which Talib and his mother allegedly shot at a man.[5] On August 23, Talib met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding possible game suspensions regarding his charge.[6][7] On August 27, it was announced that Talib would not be suspended for any games.[8]
Regular season
Schedule
The Buccaneers' regular season schedule was announced April 19. Tampa Bay played Chicago at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on October 23 as part of the NFL International Series, with Tampa Bay serving as the host team.[1]
The team's Ring of Honor induction ceremony took place during the December 4 game against Carolina. The team honored Jimmie Giles at halftime, and wore their orange throwback uniforms.[9]
