Joes New Balance Outlet

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Bucs can laugh again at themselves, December 12, 1977

Greg Johnson (left) Lee Roy Selmon (right)

NEW ORLEANS - (AP) - "Maybe this won't stop the Tampa Bay jokes, but it ought to slow them down a bit "said defensive end Lee Roy Selmon as reflected on his team's first National Football League victory ever. 

Tampa Bay - which was 0-26 for its two years in the NFL - beat the New Orleans Saints 33-14 Sunday.

"Now we're the laughingstock of everyone in this business," said Saints Safety Tommy Myers.

The victory was built in typical Tampa Bay fashion aggressive opportunistic defense and alert special teams play. But this time the offense produced a key touchdown and avoided the sort of mistakes that had helped to keep the losing streak alive.

Cornerback Mike Washington returned an intercepted pass 45 yards for one of the three touchdowns scored by the defense, Linebacker Richard Wood returned an interception 10 yards for another score, and seldom used defensive end Greg Johnson (Leesburg High School, Leesburg Florida) gathered in a tipped pass in the New Orleans end zone for the third scored by the defense.

The three scoring interceptions tied an NFL record that has been tied by six teams since Baltimore did it in 1950. But Tampa Bay had never scored in that manner before Sunday.

Another interception by Washington set up a 40-yard field goal by Dave Green. Green had earlier tallied the game's first score on a 25 yard boot that was set up by a 20-yard punt return by Danny Reece.

The one touchdown scored by Tampa Bay's offense came on a 71-yard march capped by a five yard pass from quarterback Gary Huff to wide receiver Morris Owens just before halftime.

The Buccaneers had scored only 53 points for the season coming into Sunday's game against the Saints. And 23 of those points had come in its loss to Seattle, the other second-year team in the NFL.

The Saints scored on a two-yard run by Archie Manning and an 11-yard pass form Manning to wide receiver John Gillaim-both scores coming in the fourth quarter.

Buccaneers Coach John McKay said he stirred his team to anger by reading to them a newspaper article quoting Manning as saying it would be a disgrace to lose to Tampa Bay.

"When we heard that, everyone just swelled up," said Wood, summing up the impact the article had on the Buccaneers.

"You learn in high school not to say things like that," added Reece.

"Let's just say I was highly motivated"

Manning confirmed that he'd been quoted accurately.

"I said it, and it was true," he said. 

"And now I'm embarrassed" said Myers, "You tell me what game it would hurt to lose."

Resources
Sports Section
Daily Commercial
December 12, 1977
www.dailycommercial.com


Leesburg Public Library
http://www.ci.leesburg.fl.us/library/
VISIT ONE OF OUR BLOGS BELOW: 

Article provided by:
Gerald Lacey
Staff Writer
Carver Heights Quarterback Club
1986 Varsity Jackets Football Lettermen #82
Class of 1988 Leesburg High School
leesburgyellowjacketsfootball@yahoo.com
www.leesburgyellowjacketsfootball.com
















Gerald is a professional Internet marketer and social media marketing expert. His online business ventures and websites generate multiple streams of income annually. His consulting clients include best selling authors and international speakers.

Gerald is the CEO/President of Lacey LLC and OmariWholesale, Inc. He runs his entire business from his home where he is able to spend quality time with his family and friends. He is passionate about helping individuals to build and monetize their personal brand online.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)