Quarterback Baker Mayfield in his Creamsicle uniform for the first time ever.
Photos by Vanessa Wenzl | The Crow’s Nest.
By Jorden Pompey
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield struggled to get things done during the return of their Creamsicle jerseys back on Sunday Oct. 15.
Tampa Bay wore the Creamsicle uniforms in their initial season in the NFL up until 1996. Along with the other 21 teams who are featuring their throwback uniforms this season, the Buccaneers brought back the Creamsicle jerseys for the first time since 2012.
Teams such as the Tennessee Titans are sporting their throwback uniforms from the “Luv Ya Blue” era in 80s and 90s, when they were named the Houston Oilers during weeks eight and 15. The Philadelphia Eagles put on the infamous “Kelly Green” uniforms in week seven, while the Miami Dolphins will wear their classic 1972 undefeated season aqua blue in week 15.
Week five will be the only week the Bucs put on the Creamsicle uniforms this season.
Fans turned Raymond James Stadium into a sea of orange, with a few splotches of Lions fans.
Special guests featured Hall of Famer Warren Sapp setting off the cannons, Hall of Famer Ronde Barber, Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks and retired NBA star Vince Carter.
Fans were treated with Creamsicle bucket hats, retro Buccaneers pins and orange and silver beads.
The Swashbuclers, cheerleaders from 1983, were brought out to cheer with the current cheerleaders during a game break.
The Buccaneers also brought out the original mascot and logo of Bucco Bruce. Bucco was the face of Tampa until they rebranded to the blood red and pewter look for the ’96 season.
Coming off the bye week the Bucs offense could not get things going after Mayfield threw an interception by cornerback William Harris off a tipped pass in the second drive of the game.
Tampa’s only scores came from two field goals by kicker Chase Mclaughlin. Mayfield is taking accountability for the lack of offense that was generated and plans to fix things for their next game against the Falcons.
“We sucked today, I sucked today, it was awful from the get-go. Can’t play like that didn’t start fast, we didn’t pick it up in the middle and we didn’t finish strong,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield passed for 206 yards on 37 attempts. Wide receiver Chris Godwin led the team with 77 receiving yards and six receptions. Wide Receiver Mike Evans did not get his first catch until the second half and finished with 49 receiving yards and four receptions.
“We have to find ways to make it work and it starts with me. We’ll fix it,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield gave his props to the defense, but it would not be until the second half when the game would get out of hand for the Bucs’ defense.
“Missed opportunities including myself. You know just left a lot of plays out there we’re going to have to sit on this one for sure, it hurts, we got 24 hours to see what we can learn, fix what we can and move onto next week,” linebacker Joe Tyron-Shoyinka said.
Linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White led the defense with 12 tackles and seven tackles respectively. Tyron-Shoyinka had one of the three sacks on Goff in the game.
“I felt it was close, it was 10-3 at halftime we felt we made two busts in the second half from a defensive standpoint,” head coach Todd Bowles said.
As the Lions broke down the Buccaneers defense, receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown went off for 124 receiving yards and a 27-yard touchdown. Along with St. Brown, receiver Jameson Williams had an explosive 45-yard touchdown to seal the game in the fourth quarter.
Tampa looks forwards to taking on the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium at 4:05 p.m. on Nov. 19.
