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
| 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | The Glazer family |
| General manager | Jason Licht |
| Head coach | Lovie Smith |
| Home field | Raymond James Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 2–14 |
| Division place | 4th NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | DT Gerald McCoy |
The 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL). It was also the first season under head coach Lovie Smith, replacing Greg Schiano, who was fired at the end of the 2013 season. It was also the first season under general manager Jason Licht, following the departure of Mark Dominik, after a disappointing 2013 season. It also marked the first season under new ownership since 1994, after longtime owner Malcolm Glazer died on May 28, 2014. Glazer's sons took over team operations.
The Buccaneers tried to improve their record of 4–12 of last season, but failed after tying their number of losses when they lost to Carolina in Week 15. Following a 2–14 record, their worst since 1986, the Buccaneers finished last overall in the NFC and tied with the Titans for the worst record of the 2014 season, but was statistically (via a tiebreaker) last overall for the 2014 NFL season, thus earning the right to the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Buccaneers did not win a single home game in 2014, going 0–2 during the preseason and 0–8 in the regular season at Raymond James Stadium.
2014 draft class
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7 | Mike Evans | Wide receiver | Texas A&M |
| 2 | 38 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins | Tight end | Washington |
| 3 | 69 | Charles Sims | Running back | West Virginia |
| 4 | None — see draft trades below | |||
| 5 | 143 | Kadeem Edwards | Guard | Tennessee State |
| 149 | Kevin Pamphile | Offensive tackle | Purdue | |
| 6 | 185 | Robert Herron | Wide receiver | Wyoming |
| 7 | None — see draft trades below | |||
Draft trades
- The Buccaneers traded their fourth-round selection (No. 104 overall) along with their 2013 first-round selection (13th overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for cornerback Darrelle Revis on April 21, 2013.
- The Buccaneers traded their seventh-round selection (No. 221 overall) and a 2015 fifth-round selection to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for the Bills' 2014 fifth-round selection (No. 149 overall).
- The Buccaneers traded their original sixth-round selection (No. 183 overall) to the Chicago Bears in exchange for offensive tackle Gabe Carimi on June 9, 2013. The Buccaneers later acquired a new sixth-round selection (No. 185 overall) in a trade that sent wide receiver Mike Williams to the Buffalo Bills on April 4, 2014.
Season summary
Offseason & preseason
Immediately after being named the new head coach, Lovie Smith began overhauling personnel. The primary goal was to reinstall the Tampa 2 defensive scheme that brought the club success during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Among the key cuts were Davin Joseph,[1] and Darrelle Revis.[2] Among the many new signings were quarterback Josh McCown, defensive end Michael Johnson and cornerback Alterraun Verner.
On August 26, the Buccaneers traded with New England for guard Logan Mankins.[3] The Buccaneers finished the preseason only 1–3, but were still picked by some media members to be much-improved, and to even be a wild card contender.[4][5]
September
The Buccaneers started the Lovie Smith Era off on a low note, losing on opening day to Carolina, then losing in the last minute to the Rams in week 2. In week three, the team was humiliated on a nationally televised Thursday night game, 56–14 to division rival Atlanta. Smith stated afterwards he was "embarrassed"[6] by the performance, and said the loss was so terrible to the team, that it would "leave a scar."[6]
One week later, Mike Glennon started at quarterback, and Buccaneers bounced back in a big way. Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh, their first win of the season, with a last-second go-ahead touchdown pass.
October
Tampa Bay went winless in October, with Mike Glennon at quarterback. Two overtime losses, and one blowout loss to Baltimore dropped the Buccaneers to 1–6.
November
Mike Glennon was benched after losing to Cleveland, and Josh McCown was back in at quarterback. Tampa Bay managed to win against the Redskins, with help from a breakout game from Mike Evans. Despite only two wins, the Buccaneers were still mathematically alive for the division title through the end of November due to the lackluster records of the NFC South teams.
December
Tampa Bay ended the season on a six-game losing streak, going winless in December, to finish the season 2–14. In the final game of the season against New Orleans, the Buccaneers blew a lead in the fourth quarter, sitting some of their starters in the second half. But by virtue of the loss, the Buccaneers mathematically clinched the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, beating out the Tennessee Titans (who also went 2–14).
Staff
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
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Final roster
Schedule
Preseason
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 8 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | L 10–16 | 0–1 | EverBank Field | Recap |
| 2 | August 16 | Miami Dolphins | L 14–20 | 0–2 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 23 | at Buffalo Bills | W 27–14 | 1–2 | Ralph Wilson Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | August 28 | Washington Redskins | L 10–24 | 1–3 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |