2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
Owner	Malcolm Glazer
General manager	Mark Dominik
Head coach	Raheem Morris
Home stadium	Raymond James Stadium
Results
Record	3–13
Division place	4thNFC South
Playoffs	Did not qualify
Uniform
← 2008 Buccaneers seasons 2010 →

The2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 34th season in theNational Football League (NFL), the 12th playing their home games atRaymond James Stadium, and the first under head coachRaheem Morris. The Buccaneers looked to improve on their 9–7 record from their 2008 season and 3rd-place finish in the NFC South but failed to do so as they finished the season at 3–13, missing the playoffs for the second straight year.

The Buccaneers played seven of their home games atRaymond James Stadium. One of their home games was played atWembley Stadium, as part of theInternational Series, in which they lost to theNew England Patriots 35–7.

The Buccaneers unveiled a Ring of Honor to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1979 franchise.Lee Roy Selmon was the first inductee when the team worethrowback uniforms on November 8 in a game againstGreen Bay that they won 38–28.^[1]

On January 16, 2009, less than three weeks after the 2008 regular season concluded, head coachJon Gruden and general managerBruce Allen were fired.^[2] The following day,Raheem Morris, recently promoted from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator, was instead elevated to head coach, withMark Dominik named general manager.^[3] The remainder of the coaching staff was finalized by mid-February.^[4]

• Luke McCown was re-signed to a two-year contract on February 9^[5] worth $7.5 million.^[6]
• Derrick Ward
• Angelo Crowell
• Byron Leftwich (signed two-year deal worth $7.5 million)^[7]
• Dirk Johnson was signed as punter to replaceJosh Bidwell (who was placed onIR due to a hip injury).^[8]

• AcquiredKellen Winslow II in a trade withCleveland for a second-round draft pick in 2009 and a fifth-round pick in 2010 on February 27.^[9]

• Jeff Garcia
• Micheal Spurlock
• Derrick Brooks
• Warrick Dunn
• Joey Galloway
• Ike Hilliard
• Cato June
• Phillip Buchanon
• Brian Griese
• Matt Bryant
• Luke McCown was traded to theJacksonville Jaguars for a 2010 undisclosed draft pick on September 5, 2009.

• Tampa Bay traded their second-round selection and 2010 fifth-round selection toCleveland forKellen Winslow, Jr.
• Baltimore traded conditional late-round selections in 2009 and 2010 to Tampa Bay forMarques Douglas.
• Tampa Bay traded their sixth-round selection toChicago forBrian Griese. In a separate deal, the Bears traded their own sixth-round selection to the Buccaneers forDan Buenning.
• Jacksonville traded their seventh-round selection in 2009 and two selections in 2008 to Tampa Bay for their second-round selection in 2008 (used to selectQuentin Groves).
• Tampa Bay traded their own 2009 seventh-round selection toPittsburgh forSean Mahan.

• The Buccaneers announced that they would not return toDisney's Wide World of Sports Complex to holdTraining Camp, where they had done so from 2002 to 2008. Training camp instead would be held at the team's regular facilities atOne Buc Place.
• John Lynch joinedChris Myers in the preseason booth for games televised onWFLA-TV. Dan Lucas served as sideline reporter.
• On August 18, free safetyTanard Jackson was suspended four regular-season games for violating the NFL Substance Abuse policy.^[10][11]
• On August 19,Aqib Talib was arrested, accused of simple battery and resisting arrest.^[12][13]
• Ten days before the start of the regular season, offensive coordinatorJeff Jagodzinski was fired. Quarterbacks coachGreg Olson was elevated into the vacancy.^[14]

The first regular season game for head coachRaheem Morris saw the Buccaneers fall to theDallas Cowboys by a score of 34–21. Running backCadillac Williams returned as a starter, and rushed for 97 yards and one touchdown. QuarterbackByron Leftwich threw for 276 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. The Buccaneer defense, however, gave up three big plays in the loss.

Dallas quarterbackTony Romo threw for a career-best 353 yards. Three long touchdown passes (66, 80, 44 yards respectively) put the game out of reach. Early in the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay closed the deficit to 20–14, but Romo's 80-yard catch & run toPatrick Crayton put the Cowboys ahead for good.

On specials teams, kickerMike Nugent had one field goal attempt blocked, and shanked another.

The Buccaneers made their first regular season trip in franchise history toRalph Wilson Stadium to meet theBills. The Buccaneers had played only one time at Buffalo, a preseason game in 1977.^[15]Byron Leftwich threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns, but the Bills held Tampa Bay to only 57 yards rushing, and the Buccaneers had 13 penalties for 112 yard in the loss.

Leading 20–7 with less than a minute remaining in the first half, Buffalo looked to score once more. However,Fred Jackson fumbled at the Tampa Bay 16, andSabby Piscitelli recovered. Piscitelli ran 72 yards to the Buffalo 8, and after a touchdown on the next play, Tampa Bay trimmed the deficit to 20–14.

Late in the fourth quarter,Leftwich led the Buccaneers on 14-play scoring drive, twice converting on 4th down. The touchdown could have brought the Buccaneers within 8 points, but a failedtwo-point conversion ultimately foiled the comeback. Tampa Bay dropped to 0–2, and lost their sixth consecutive game, dating back to 2008.

Still looking for their first win of the season, the Buccaneers went home for a Week 3 duel with theNew York Giants. Tampa Bay would trail early in the first quarter with Giants running backBrandon Jacobs getting a 6-yard touchdown run. The Buccaneers'deficit would climb in the second quarter with quarterbackEli Manning's 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverSteve Smith.

New York continued its dominance in the third quarter with kickerLawrence Tynes nailing a 26-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Giants would close out the game with Manning's 18-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverSinorice Moss.

With the loss, the Buccaneers fell to 0–3.

Following their shutout home loss to the Giants, the Buccaneers flew toFedExField for a Week 4 duel with theWashington Redskins. Due toByron Leftwich's poor performance during the first three weeks of the season, quarterbackJosh Johnson would get his first career start.

Tampa Bay would come out firing in the first quarter with Johnson's 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverAntonio Bryant, followed by kickerMike Nugent's 37-yard field goal in the second quarter. However, the Redskins came back with a vengeance in the third quarter. KickerShaun Suisham would get a 42-yard field goal, followed by quarterbackJason Campbell's 17-yard touchdown pass to tight endChris Cooley (with a blocked PAT) and a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverSantana Moss. The Bucs tried to rally in the fourth quarter as Nugent nailed a 22-yard field goal, but Washington's defense would prevent any further progress.

With the loss, the Buccaneers fell to 0–4.

Hoping for their first win of the season, the Buccaneers flew toLincoln Financial Field for a Week 5 duel with thePhiladelphia Eagles. Tampa Bay would immediately trail in the first quarter as Eagles quarterbackDonovan McNabb hooked up with wide receiverJeremy Maclin on a 51-yard touchdown pass. Philadelphia would increase their lead in the second quarter with McNabb completing a 20-yard touchdown pass to fullbackLeonard Weaver. The Buccaneers would get on the board with quarterbackJosh Johnson's 9-yard touchdown pass to tight endKellen Winslow, but the Eagles would close out the first half with McNabb finding Maclin again on a 40-yard touchdown 40-yard touchdown pass.

In the third quarter, Philadelphia would increase their lead with running backBrian Westbrook getting a 7-yard touchdown run. The Eagles would then start off the fourth quarter with kickerDavid Akers nailing a 44-yard field goal. Tampa Bay tried to rally as Johnson connected with Winslow again on a 9-yard touchdown pass, but Philadelphia closed out the game with defensive endDarren Howard tackling running backCadillac Williams in his endzone for a safety.

With the loss, the Buccaneers fell to 0–5.

Still trying to acquire their first win of the season, the Buccaneers went home for a Week 6 NFC South duel with theCarolina Panthers. Tampa Bay sailed off to a good start in the first quarter with a 20-yard touchdown run from running backCadillac Williams. However, the Panthers would tie the game in the second quarter with running backDeAngelo Williams getting a 20-yard touchdown run.

During the second quarter, punt returnerClifton Smith left the game due to a concussion caused by Panthers cornerbackDante Wesley ramming into Smith. Wesley was flagged for unnecessary roughness and was ejected.

Carolina would take the lead in the third quarter with quarterbackJake Delhomme completing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight endJeff King and running backJonathan Stewart getting a 26-yard touchdown, yet the Buccaneers immediately got themselves back into the game as rookie wide receiverSammie Stroughter returned the kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay tied the game with safetyTanard Jackson's 26-yard interception return for a touchdown. However, the Panthers delivered the final blow with Williams' 1-yard touchdown run.

With the loss, the Buccaneers fell to 0–6 for the 1st time since 1985.

Still on the hunt for their first win of the season, the Buccaneers flew toWembley Stadium for Week 7'sNFL International game with theNew England Patriots. For this game, Tampa Bay was listed as the home team.

The Buccaneers would trail early in the first quarter as Patriots safetyBrandon Meriweather returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown, followed by quarterbackTom Brady finding wide receiverWes Welker on a 14-yard touchdown pass. New England increased their lead in the second quarter as Brady completed a 54-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverSam Aiken, yet Tampa Bay would get onto the board with quarterbackJosh Johnson completing a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverAntonio Bryant.

However, the Patriots took control throughout the second half as Brady hooked up with tight endBenjamin Watson on a 35-yard touchdown pass, while running backLaurence Maroney got himself a 1-yard touchdown run.

With the loss, the Buccaneers went into their bye week at 0–7 for the 1st time since 1985.

With the Rams' win over the Lions and the Titans win over the Jaguars in the same week, the Buccaneers were the NFL's only winless team.

Coming off their bye week, the Buccaneers went home, donned their throwback uniforms, and played a Week 9 duel with theGreen Bay Packers. This game would be the first career start for rookie quarterbackJosh Freeman.

Tampa Bay would trail early in the first quarter as Packers quarterbackAaron Rodgers completed a 74-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverJames Jones. The Buccaneers would get on the board with Freeman finding running backDerrick Ward on a 6-yard touchdown pass, but Green Bay answered with running backRyan Grant getting a 2-yard touchdown run. In the second quarter, Tampa Bay fired back as cornerbackRonde Barber returned a blocked punt 31 yards for a touchdown, but the Packers replied with Rodgers hooking up with wide receiverDonald Driver on a 32-yad touchdown pass. The Buccaneers would close out the half with kickerConnor Barth booting a 38-yard field goal.

After a scoreless third quarter, Green Bay would strike again in the fourth quarter as Rodgers got a 12-yard touchdown run. Afterwards, Tampa Bay took the lead as Freeman completed a pair of 7-yard touchdown pass to tight endKellen Winslow (with a failed two-point conversion) and rookie wide receiverSammie Stroughter (with a successful two-point conversion pass to wide receiverMichael Clayton). The Packers tried to get a comeback, yet safetyTanard Jackson came through with a 35-yard interception return from a touchdown.

With the win, the Buccaneers improved to 1–7.

Coming off their home win over the Packers, the Buccaneers flew toLand Shark Stadium for a Week 10 interconference duel with their in-state rival, theMiami Dolphins. In the first quarter, Tampa Bay struck first as kickerConnor Barth got a 51-yard field goal. However, the Dolphins would answer with a 1-yard touchdown run from running backRonnie Brown (with a blocked PAT). Miami would add onto their lead in the second quarter with a 49-yard field goal from kickerDan Carpenter. The Buccaneers would reply with Barth's 50-yard field goal, but the Dolphins would take a huge lead as quarterbackChad Henne completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight endKory Sperry, followed by Carpenter getting a 30-yard field goal.

Tampa Bay would get the only score of the third quarter as Barth nailed a 54-yard field goal. The Buccaneers would creep closer in the fourth quarter as rookie quarterbackJosh Freeman completed a 33-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMaurice Stovall, yet Miami continued to have their way as Carpenter booted a 45-yard field goal. Tampa Bay would take the lead as running backCadillac Williams got a 1-yard touchdown run, but the Dolphins got the last laugh as Carpenter made the game-winning 25-yard field goal.

With the tough loss, the Buccaneers fell to 1–8.

Trying to avoid a 3-game losing streak, the Buccaneers flew to Georgia Dome for an NFC South rivalry match against theAtlanta Falcons.

In the first quarter the Bucs trailed early as kickerJason Elam nailed a 45-yard field goal, and then with QBChris Redman making a 22-yard touchdown pass to RBJerious Norwood. Then the Bucs replied with QBJosh Freeman making a 42-yard touchdown pass to WRAntonio Bryant, then kickerConnor Barth made a 39-yard field goal. In the third quarter the Bucs took the lead when Freeman hooked up withCadillac Williams on an 8-yard touchdown pass. Then the Falcons lost the margin when kickerJason Elam got a 37-yard field goal. In the final seconds of the fourth quarter the Bucs fell behind when Redman made a 5-yard touchdown pass to WRRoddy White.

With the loss, the Buccaneers fell to 1–10 and stay winless on the road after 5 visits. Additionally, the team was officially eliminated from postseason contention.

The Jets were without starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, but the Buccaneers were unable to take advantage. The Tampa Bay defense allowed 175 yards rushing, and quarterback Josh Freeman, coming off a five interception game the previous week, struggled to read New York Jets coachRex Ryan's exotic blitzes. Freeman finishing the day with three interceptions and a passer rating of just 12.1,^[16] well below his season average of 59.8.^[17]

Coming off their home loss to the Jets, the Bucs flew toQwest Field for a week 15 duel against theSeattle Seahawks. After a scoreless first quarter, Seattle got on the board first with QBMatt Hasselbeck's 29-yard pass to tight endJohn Carlson. The Bucs got on the board withConnor Barth's 28-yard field goal to end the first half.

In the third quarter, Tampa Bay took the lead after a 45-yard field goal and a 22-yard touchdown pass by QBJosh Freeman to running backCadillac Williams, set up by aTanard Jackson interception. The Buccaneers further extended their lead with a 28-yard pass to running backDerrick Ward, with a successful two-point conversion. In the fourth quarter, Barth kicked another field goal for 39 yards. Seattle tried to rally, but Hasselbeck threw an interception (his fourth) in the end zone to cornerbackElbert Mack for a touchback.

With the win, the Buccaneers improved to 2–12. Not only was it their first road win since November 23, 2008, it also marked their first win on the west coast since winningSuper Bowl XXXVII in San Diego and their first win in Seattle since 1999.

The Saints dominated the first quarter and entered halftime riding on a 17–3 lead. Tampa Bay scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 77-yard kick return by Micheal Spurlock, to tie the game at 17. As time expired,Garrett Hartley attempted a 37-yard field goal that would have salvaged the game for the Saints, but the kick hooked left. In overtime, Tampa Bay won the coin toss, received the kickoff, and drove down the field to win the game with a field goal, for a final score of 20–17.

This was the first time in franchise history that the Bucs defeated the eventual Super Bowl champions.

At 44 °F (7 °C), it was the second-coldest home game in Buccaneers history.

• Week 6:Sammie Stroughter – NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
• Week 9:Clifton Smith – NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
• Week 16:Micheal Spurlock – NFC Special Teams Player of the Week

Wikimedia Commons has media related to2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season.

• Buccaneers.com – Official site
• Pewter Report
• BUCPOWER
• 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season at Pro Football Reference
• 2009 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season at ESPN

• 2009 in sports in Florida
• 2009 NFL season by team
• 21st century in Tampa, Florida
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers seasons

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