When fans think of the Buccaneers, most, if not all, recall the Super Bowl-winning teams of 2002 and 2020. Anytime before that is generally seen as a dark era of Bucs football filled with a lot of losing seasons. Even with that caveat, plenty of players shined with impressive years and stints. Players that are largely forgotten in the minds of fans, apart from the most ardent and hardcore supporters. 

For this series, I wanted to take a look at players who are underrated or not mentioned much when discussing the team’s history. The number of players mentioned in each entry will vary based on position.

The only rules are that they were Bucs between 1976 to 1996 – fitting the prerequisite of rocking the original “Bucco Bruce” uniforms – and are worth remembering. 

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

Wide Receivers

Tight Ends

Overview:

Offensive linemen are the most forgotten about and underrated as far as NFL players go. They can be a Pro Bowl or All-Pro caliber player in the trenches, yet they still will be mostly underappreciated for their work.

Bucs RT Tristan Wirfs – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs left tackle Tristan Wirfs, for instance, ranks No. 98 on the NFL Top 100 list heading into the season.

So going back in time and keeping it Bucs-centric, there have been many offensive linemen who are rarely mentioned by fans, especially those on the younger side.

There are no YouTube highlight reels of their blocking techniques or games of shutting down pass rushers. Instead, reflecting on them means recapping the subtleties of what made them memorable.

Not only were these offensive linemen productive on the field, but they also explored new endeavors in their post-playing days off the field. Let’s take some time to explore, rewind, and recap some forgotten offensive linemen in Buccaneers’ lore.

Forgotten Bucs At OL

1. Paul Gruber

This list properly begins with Paul Gruber. After being taken with the fourth overall pick by the Bucs in 1988, Gruber held down the blindside in Tampa Bay for 12 seasons (1988-1999), playing 183 games, which is the fourth-highest total in franchise history.

Upon being drafted, Gruber was immediately expected to protect quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who was taken first overall a year prior. He ended up protecting him, as well as the future quarterbacks that followed.

Gruber served as a staple of consistency for a team that had a reputation for being bad up until the end of his career. He was one of the true bridges between the struggles and prosperity that defined 1990s Bucs football. Known for his hardworking mentality and quiet leadership, he helped to keep the ship afloat.

When he was inducted into the Bucs’ Ring of Honor back in 2012, Bucs owner and co-chairman Bryan Glazer summed up who Gruber was in this brief statement.

“He went on to become everything you’d want in a left tackle, or a family man: Dependable, dependable, dependable. For a dozen years he lined up against the fiercest and loudest pass-rushers the opposition had to offer and quietly proceeded to give them all they could handle.”

Gruber’s career, unfortunately, ended after the 1999 season at the age of 34 after fracturing his right tibia. He did not get to experience the 2002 Super Bowl run, but he was a leader on the late 1990s teams when many of the future stars – Ronder Barber, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, and John Lynch – were just beginning their careers.

Upon his retirement, former Bucs head coach Tony Dungy commented on his impact.

“It was remarkable to get an opportunity to watch, coach and be around a player like Paul for the last four years,” Dungy said then. “He exhibited such outstanding leadership qualities, and had an awesome career. He was a consistent force in the lineup, and you could always count on him as an integral part of the game plan. Paul has been a pleasure to coach and a joy to have around.”

Gruber’s list of accolades does not extend very long, but he was highlighted for his play at times in his career. He was named a two-time second-team All-Pro in 1991 and 1992 and a Pro Bowl alternate in 1997.

Instead of being a player in the spotlight, Paul Gruber went about his career in a professional manner. That was someone who fit the mold of a gritty offensive lineman who went out and gave opposing defensive linemen fits on game day.

2. Tony Mayberry

Playing along the Bucs’ offensive line with Gruber throughout the 1990s was former Bucs center Tony Mayberry. One of the best value picks in franchise history, he was taken in the fourth round of the 1990 NFL Draft.

Former Bucs C Tony Mayberry and QB Trent Dilfer – Photo courtesy of the Buccaneers

Some may know the name Mayberry as a town that hosted a fictional sheriff back in the 1960s. In Tampa Bay, however, the sheriff along the offensive line was a man by the name of Tony Mayberry, someone who never missed a game. From Week 1 in 1991 to Week 17 in 1999, he played in 144 consecutive contests.

At 6-4 and weighing around 300 pounds, Mayberry was no one to mess with. He would finally be recognized for his play towards the end of his career, getting named to three straight Pro Bowls from 1997-1999. During those years, the Bucs would make the playoffs twice, with a rushing attack led by Warrick Dunn and Mike Alstott – a duo also coined WD-40.

Much of the credit should be rightfully given to them for handling the workload toting the football, but it was offensive linemen like Gruber and Mayberry who paved running lanes similar to construction workers paving lanes on the road.

If one were to build an all-time Bucs offensive line, they would be hard-pressed not to include Gruber and Mayberry.

3. George Yarno

With George Yarno, this is where it gets interesting. Combing over his Pro Football Reference page, I could tell Yarno was a do-it-all kind of player. He went undrafted, but then-Bucs head coach John Mckay gave him a chance, primarily as a left guard. He also started games as a left tackle and right guard.

There was a gap between his time with the Bucs, as Yarno played for the Denver Gold of the USFL in the 1984 season. While in Tampa Bay, he was not a true full-time starter besides the 1985 and 1986 seasons.

Even with that, he still made headlines.

What is perhaps most famously known for is what occurred in the season finale of a meaningless 1983 contest against the Lions. Wrapping up what would be a 2-14 year, the Bucs chose not to send Dave Warnke, their kicker, out for an extra point after he had already missed a 29-yard goal and an extra point.

Instead, out trotted George Yarno, and in the old Pontiac Silverdome, he drilled it. It made for quite the interesting read on the front page of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune nearly 40 years ago.

After his playing career, Yarno would enter the coaching ranks, returning to the Bucs as an assistant offensive line coach in 2008 under head coach Jon Gruden. He would sadly pass away in 2016 after a battle with cancer, but not before leaving behind a unique legacy.

Not only was he a part of the first three Bucs playoff teams, but he also brought plenty of versatility and a kicking leg to boot.

4. Randy Grimes

Before the days of Tony Mayberry, it was Randy Grimes who held down the center position from the Bucs.

He appeared in 118 games between 1983-1992, starting in 104 of them. Lost in the shuffle in the darkest days in Tampa Bay football history, Grimes may be forgotten as a solid starter along the offensive line blocking for James Wilder and later Lars Tate.

When researching Grimes, his story off the field is told more than the one on it. That is his openness about an addiction to painkillers.

Sports in the modern era may be critiqued for lacking the tough players that defined an era of professional sports. Willis Reed. Jack Youngblood. The Bad Boys-era Pistons with Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, and Bill Laimbeer, among others.

But that also came with plenty of negatives. Players fighting through injuries and ailments with painkillers to avoid being known as weak. It was something that many players used and ranges from the likes of Earl Campbell, Brett Favre, to Ryan Leaf.

For Randy Grimes, much of his story was written upon retirement. In 2009, he opened up about his addiction to painkillers and has appeared on numerous podcasts and as a keynote speaker. Last year, he published his memoir about his recovery and path to redemption.

He spoke about his story in this brief video last year:

5. Ian Beckles

Former Bucs RG Ian Beckles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Ian Beckles was a seven-year Bucs starter after being taken in the fifth round in 1990 – one round after Mayberry. He settled in and provided consistent guard play along the offensive line, starting 97 total games before leaving for the Eagles in 1997 and playing with them for two seasons.

Beckles was a stocky player with toughness and tenacity along the interior, displayed best against former NFL linebacker Bill Romanowski in this clip.

While he had a fine NFL career, most fans know Beckles for his time as an on-air personality with WDAE on the Beckles and Recher show before his departure there in October last year.

He still stays busy covering the team on his In The Trenches with Ian Beckles show that airs regularly during the season.