In a major news cycle, a big splash is the report that Tom Brady is expected to be signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The six-time Super Bowl champion built his Hall Of Fame-worthy career with the New England Patriots. He was drafted as a no-name out of Michigan in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft and went on to become possibly the greatest quarterback in the game.
Now, he's doing a reversal of Steve Young who started his Hall of Fame career in Tampa Bay before being traded to the San Fransisco 49ers where he won Super Bowl XXIX and threw for a record six touchdowns.
The Buccaneers are understandably a forgettable team as they haven't gotten to the playoffs since 2007. Although they've come a long way from their awful creamsicle uniforms and do have the Super Bowl XXXVII title under their belt. As Tom Brady seeks to end his storied career with a breath of fresh air (look at his contemporary Peyton Manning who won one more Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos before calling it quits), he's going to have to ask Famous Jameis Winston to have a seat and eat some crab legs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have primarily been known as a defensive force. Let's look at 5 notable Buccaneers players who Brady will be completing his legacy among.
Lee Roy Selmon - Defensive End
We would not have the glory days without the grunt work done by players like Lee Roy Selman, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers first ever draft pick. After being founded in 1976, the Bucs lost their first 26 games, a record losing streak. Selman's defensive grit kept the team going and launched him into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Derrick Brooks - Linebacker
A Buccaneer of Buccaneers, Derrick Brooks played all 14 seasons of his Hall of Fame career in Tampa Bay. He immediately made an impact after being drafted in the first round out of Florida State. He was selected to 11 Pro Bowls and was a key player on the Super Bowl team. That season, he scored three defensive touchdowns. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment is that he never missed a single game.
Warren Sapp - Defensive Tackle
Talk about a legend. Warren Sapp was the big man whose picture sits next to the definition of "football player." As a Miami Hurricane, he was a rare defensive player in the running for the Heisman Trophy (current Buccaneer Ndamukung Suh also shares that accolade). Sapp was drafted in the first round by the Buccaneers in 1995. He was a sack machine and still holds the team record for most sacks in a season with 16.5 in 2000. He was another key part in the Super Bowl winning team and went on to play in seven Pro Bowls before being selected to the Hall of Fame in 2013.
Ronde Barber - Cornerback
What an era it was when Ronde Barber and his twin brother Tiki ran the league. Like Derrick Brooks, Ronde also spent his entire career as a Buccaneer where he played in five Pro Bowls and yes, was a part of that Super Bowl-winning team. He had a career-high 10 interceptions in 2001 and was an overall dominant force that nobody wanted to mess with.
John Lynch - Safety
John Lynch is another fan favorite for his commitment to the team and his hard-hitting style of play. He could hang with the best of them and was another member of the Super Bowl team. He finished his career with the Denver Broncos and a total of nine Pro Bowl appearances. Lynch has been in consideration for the Hall of Fame for seven years and hopefully this year's ballot will give him his due respect.
BONUS: Dexter Jackson - Safety
Dexter Jackson might not come to mind as a Buccaneer great right away, but he was the Super Bowl MVP after snagging two interceptions against a high-powered Oakland Raiders offense. Jackson spent the next season with the Arizona Cardinals before returning to Tampa Bay for a few years and finishing his career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Nevermind that in 2008 the Bucs drafted a not-so-stellar wide receiver of the same name.