The Expansion Draft
This took place on 30-31 March 1976 in which Seattle and Tampa Bay could select 39 players each, a maximum of three from the other NFL teams. Seattle won a coin toss to have the first
overall selection with the Bucs taking the first pick in the college draft. The list of exposed players was released less than 24 hours before the draft and many players made available were
either injured or tenuously connected with the NFL team involved. The order of selection has been lost in the passage of time but the Bucs’ first selection was TE Bob Moore. There were
some building blocks and future stars in the Buccaneer selections - here are details of all 39.
Surname
Forename
Pos
Team
Notes
Ball
Larry
LB
DET
Played 13 games in 1976 and had one interception as a back-up LB. Also played for the perfect 1972 Miami Dolphins.
Blahak
Joe
CB
MIN
Started the first game and played the next one before being released. Was originally an 8th round pick of the Oilers in 1973.
Bridges
Bubba
DT
BAL
Training camp cut. Had played three years in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos. Only played the first pre-season game.
Broussard
Bubba
LB
CHI
Training camp cut. Former Viking draft pick signed by Chicago off the street for the purpose of the expansion draft.
Carter
Louis
RB
OAK
Played the first three seasons and led the 1976 Bucs in rushing. Also threw the first TD pass in franchise history too.
Colavito
Steve
LB
PHI
Training camp cut. Played four games for the Eagles in 1975. Did play the first three pre-season games for the Bucs.
Cotney
Mark
S
TEN
One of the great successes of the expansion draft. Nine seasons with the Bucs, 92 starts and a real fan favourite for many years.
Current
Mike
T
DEN
Started all 14 games at right tackle before being traded to Miami the following year. Played 169 games in his NFL career.
Davis
Anthony
RB
NYJ
College standout who played in the CFL in 1976. Was then traded to Houston and his pro career was what might have been.
Davis
Ricky
DB
CIN
Played 11 games on special teams and completed one pass on a fake punt for -7 yards to remain last in Buc passing stats.
Douthitt
Earl
DB
CHI
Training camp cut. Had played nine games for the Bears in 1975 on special teams. Was released after first pre-season game.
Elia
Bruce
LB
MIA
Traded to San Francisco as part of the Steve Spurrier trade the day after the expansion draft. Played three more years in SF.
Ely
Larry
LB
CHI
Training camp cut. Played in the CFL and WFL before playing the 1975 NFL season with the Bears.
Fest
Howard
G/T
CIN
Started every game at guard in 1976. Saw action in one game in 1977 before being injured and retired after that season.
Gordon
Ira
G
SD
Veteran offensive lineman who was expected to be a starter but turned up to camp overweight and unfit and was released.
Gunn
Jimmy
LB
NYG
Played 13 games with 11 starts in 1976 at both outside linebacker positions. 1976 was his only year with the Bucs.
Hart
Harold
RB
OAK
Injured in the pre-season and missed the entire year. Was cut in camp in 1977. Once scored a 102-yard KR on MNF in 1974.
Kearney
Mike
DB
KC
Was inactive for one game in 1976 and was then released. Was traded in June 1976 to New Orleans and then re-signed.
Keeton
Durwood
DB
NE
Training camp cut. Played 12 games for New England in 1975 having been in the WFL in 1974 having not signed with St.Louis.
Kendrick
Vince
RB
ATL
Played just one game before being released but his only carry was the very first one in franchise history.
LaGrand
Morris
RB
NO
Played with both the Chiefs and Saints in 1975. Was released in the final roster cutdown.
McGee
Willie
WR
LA
Former 5th round pick of the Chargers in 1973 who was part of the first franchise trade the day after the expansion draft.
McKay
John
WR
CLE
Son of Coach McKay who had played in the WFL. Spent three seasons with the Bucs starting 30 games over that time.
Moore
Manfred
RB
SF
Played in 10 games before being released and ended the year winning a Super Bowl ring with the Oakland Raiders.
Moore
Bob
TE
OAK
Was the first player the Bucs selected in this draft and started 12 games over the next two seasons before being traded.
Oliver
Frank
DB
BUF
Played the first four games on special teams before being released. Originally a 4th round 49ers pick in 1975 traded to Buffalo.
Pear
Dave
DT
BAL
Started all but one game over the first three seasons and was the Bucs’ first Pro Bowler after the 197i8 season.
Peterson
Calvin
LB
DAL
Started the first four games. Came back from injury against Denver but was hurt returning an interception that ended his year.
Reavis
Dave
T
PIT
Started nearly 100 games at right tackle for the Bucs having been a defensive lineman with the Steelers.
Rudolph
Council
DE
STL
Started every game for the first two seasons having been a 7th round pick of the Cardinals in 1972.
Ryczek
Dan
C
WAS
Started 21 games across the first two seasons at center and even had a reception on a deflected pass in 1976.
Smith
Barry
WR
GB
Played 13 games with one start in 1976 having been a former 1st round pick of Green Bay in 1973. Was then traded to Miami.
Stone
Ken
S
WAS
Started every game in 1976 before being cut the following year. Went on to play four more NFL seasons with the Cardinals.
Swift
Doug
LB
MIA
Did not even attend camp. Miami exposed him in the draft knowing he was quitting the game and did not tell anyone else.
Thompson
Dave
OL
NO
Had been a 2nd round pick of the Lions in 1971 and a five-year NFL veteran who played pre-season games but was then cut.
Toomay
Pat
DE
BUF
One of the most well-known members of the expansion Bucs. Started every game in 1976 and was an accomplished author.
Ward
John
C
MIN
Started the first three games in franchise history. Played one further game before being released. Was a former 1st round pick.
Williams
Lawrence
WR
KC
Training camp cut. Was with New England, New Orleans and Kansas City in 1975 but never actually appeared in a game.
Yochum
Dan
T
PHI
Did not even attend camp. Was originally a 2nd round pick of the Eagles who never even played in the NFL.