| 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Malcolm Glazer |
| General manager | Mark Dominik |
| Head coach | Raheem Morris |
| Home field | Raymond James Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 4–12 |
| Division place | 4th NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | G Davin Joseph |
| Uniform | |
 | |
The 2011 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 36th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the third and final under head coach Raheem Morris. The team competed in the NFC South. Both of their preseason home games, and seven of their regular season home games were played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. One regular season home game (October 23) was played at Wembley Stadium in London as part of the NFL International Series.[1]
Tampa Bay had high hopes for 2011. The team had not qualified for the playoffs since 2007, and that they attempted to build upon their success from the previous season. In 2010, Tampa Bay had finished with a 10–6 record, but lost out on tiebreakers and failed to make the playoffs. With the youngest head coach, and the youngest roster in terms of average age, in the league, and with anxious optimism, head coach Raheem Morris nicknamed the team "youngry."[2] A close loss to Detroit on opening day was followed by a three-game winning streak and a fairly respectable 4–2 start with wins against division opponents Atlanta and New Orleans. Tampa Bay was in a tie for first place in the NFC South in mid-October. However, self-inflicted troubles started affecting the season, leading to a ten-game losing streak to finish the season. After the 4–2 start, the team did not win another game. Turnovers, penalties, and poor defense began taking its toll. Quarterback Josh Freeman's threw 22 interceptions (second-worst in the league), more than triple his total from 2010. The once dominating Tampa Bay defense ranked 30th in the league in total yards.
Statistically, the Buccaneers defense was among the worst in the league in 2011. Tampa Bay allowed the most points in the league (494), the most yards per play (tied at 6.3), most yards per pass attempt (tied at 7.6), the most rushing yards (2,497) and the most rushing touchdowns (26). They also allowed the second most yards per attempt (5.0), the second most rushing first downs (135), the third most total yards (6,311) and fourth most total first downs (356) of all teams in 2011.[3]
- ^ Battista, Judy (April 18, 2011). "Lockout Could Jeopardize Game Set for London". The New York Times. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
- ^ "Bucs are "youngry" (2011-08-16)". Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2012.
- ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: 2011 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics