Buccaneers Starting Quarterbacks
(July 10, 2007)

Over the 31-year history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 29 players have started at quarterback. Head coach Jon Gruden has indicated that Jeff Garcia could become the thirtieth on opening day. How have the previous 29 performed?

Trent Dilfer holds the team record for most starts (78), most victories (39) most consecutive starts (71) and most consecutive victories (6). Dilfer is tied with Doug Williams for most losses (39). Dilfer won as many games as he lost (39-39), but the only regular starters with winning percentages are Shaun King (15-10, .600), Brian Griese (9-6, .600) and Brad Johnson (29-24, 547).

There were some quarterbacks with dismal records including Steve Spurrier (0- 12, .000) who lost a record twelve straight starts. Jack Thompson (3-13, .188), Steve DeBerg (8-29, .216) and Steve Young (3-14, .176) had depressing winning percentages. Vinny Testaverde (24-48, .333) started a lot of games, but he lost two of every three.

There was the 1987 replacement player season when four different starters were used and seven other times the Bucs started three different QBs in season. Eleven seasons saw only one starting quarterback, as Trent Dilfer and Doug Williams started four complete seasons, Brad Johnson two and Shaun King one.

It might bring back some memories looking at the chronological list of starting quarterbacks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Starting Quarterback Records

Player	Starts	Won	Lost	Tied	Pct	Season(s)
Steve Spurrier	12	0	12	0	.000	1976
Parnell Dickinson	1	0	1	0	.000	1976
Terry Hanratty	1	0	1	0	.000	1976
Randy Hedberg	4	0	4	0	.000	1977
Gary Huff	6	2	4	0	.333	1977
Jeb Blount	4	0	4	0	.000	1977
Doug Williams	75	35	39	1	.468	1978-82
Mark Boryla	1	0	1	0	.000	1978
Mike Rae	1	0	1	0	.000	1978
Jerry Goldsteyn	3	0	3	0	.000	1983
Jack Thompson	16	3	13	0	.188	1983-84
Steve DeBerg	37	8	29	0	.216	1984-87, 1992-93
Steve Young	17	3	14	0	.176	1985-86
John Reaves	2	1	1	0	.500	1987
Jim Zorn	1	1	0	0	1.000	1987
Vinny Testaverde	72	24	48	0	.333	1987-92
Joe Ferguson	3	0	3	0	.000	1988-89
Chris Chandler	6	0	6	0	.000	1990-91
Jeff Carlson	1	0	1	0	.000	1991
Craig Erickson	28	11	17	0	.393	1993-94
Trent Dilfer	78	39	39	0	.500	1994-99
Eric Zeier	1	0	1	0	.000	1999
Shaun King	25	15	10	0	.600	1999-2002
Brad Johnson	53	29	24	0	.547	2001-04
Rob Johnson	2	2	0	0	1.000	2002
Chris Simms	16	7	9	0	.438	2004-06
Brian Griese	15	9	6	0	.600	2004-05
Bruce Gradkowski	11	3	8	0	.272	2006
Tim Rattay	2	1	1	0	.500	2006