The 2005 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 30th season in the National Football League the 8th playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium, and the 4th under head coach Jon Gruden. The season began with the team trying to improve on their 5–11 record in 2004; they made a complete reversal from last season by going 11–5. Cadillac Williams won Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Bucs would lose in the Wild Card playoff game at home to the Washington Redskins.
Summary
In the 2005 season, the Bucs returned to their winning ways. The Buccaneers selected Carnell "Cadillac" Williams in the first round of the 2005 draft, and the rookie would provide a running game the Buccaneers hadn't possessed since the days of James Wilder Sr. in the 1980s. Williams set the NFL record for most yards rushing in his first three games with 474, and was named as the AP's 2005 Offensive Rookie of the Year. His shoes and gloves from the third game of the season are now on display in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
With their 2005 campaign marking the Buccaneers' 30th Season in the NFL, the team won their first four games before entering a midseason slump hampered by a season-ending injury to starting QB Brian Griese during a win over the Miami Dolphins. Replacement starter Chris Simms struggled early as the Bucs lost games to the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers, but Simms came into his own when he led the team to a last-minute win over the Washington Redskins in a 36–35 thriller to break that slump. In a gutsy move, Gruden went for the win with a two-point conversion plunge by fullback Mike Alstott. A booth review of that play was inconclusive, and Redskins coach Joe Gibbs stated after the game his belief that Alstott had not scored.
The Buccaneers followed up with important wins over their NFC South division rivals, sweeping both the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, as well as defeating the Panthers in a rare victory at Carolina. Even with a tough loss against the Chicago Bears and a humiliating shutout against the New England Patriots, the Bucs finished 11–5 and won the NFC South by virtue of a tie-breaker over the Panthers. The Buccaneers' 30th Anniversary season would end on a sour note, as they lost 17–10 at home to the Redskins in the wild-card round. An apparent late Bucs touchdown pass from Chris Simms to Edell Shepherd could have tied the game, but the play was ruled incomplete when a booth review upheld the referee's decision.
The Buccaneers sent three veteran players to the 2006 Pro Bowl, including cornerback Ronde Barber and punter Josh Bidwell. Outside linebacker Derrick Brooks was named the Pro Bowl MVP, with a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Staff
Roster
{ { NFL final roster
|Year=2005
|TeamName=Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|Active=53
|Inactive=4
|PS=8
|Quarterbacks=
Luke McCown
Tim Rattay
Chris Simms
|Running Backs=
Mike Alstott FB
Jameel Cook FB
Earnest Graham
Michael Pittman
Derek Watson
Cadillac Williams
|Wide Receivers=
Michael Clayton
Joey Galloway
Ike Hilliard
Mark Jones PR
Edell Shepherd KR
|Tight Ends=
Anthony Becht
Will Heller
Dave Moore LS
Alex Smith
|Offensive Linemen=
Dan Buenning G
Chris Colmer T
Anthony Davis T
Scott Jackson C/G
Sean Mahan G
Todd Steussie T
Jeb Terry G
John Wade C
Kenyatta Walker T
|Defensive Linemen=
Jon Bradley DT
Anthony Bryant DT
Chris Hovan DT
Booger McFarland DT
Simeon Rice DE
Greg Spires DE
Dewayne White DE
Ellis Wyms DE/DT
|Linebackers=
Derrick Brooks OLB
Marquis Cooper OLB
Wesly Mallard OLB
Ryan Nece OLB
Shelton Quarles MLB
Barrett Ruud MLB
|Defensive Backs=
Blue Adams CB
Will Allen FS/SS
Ronde Barber CB
Juran Bolden CB
Torrie Cox CB
Brian Kelly CB
Dexter Jackson FS
Donte Nicholson SS
Kalvin Pearson FS
Jermaine Phillips SS
|Special Teams=
Josh Bidwell P
Matt Bryant K
|Reserve Lists=
Jeff Gooch LB (IR) Brian Griese QB (IR) Jeff Hatch T (IR) Matt Stinchcomb T (IR)