Buccaneers: Top five players that only wore creamsicle uniform

Jimmie Giles – TE (1978 – 1986)

Now we come to the greatest tight end in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Yes, we know the Bucs have Rob Gronkowski at tight end now, and while he’s been solid, let’s not pretend that he is the Gronk that he was during his prime with the New England Patriots. The best tight end the Bucs ever had was, and is, Jimmie Giles.

Spending eight years in the Bucco Bruce creamsicles, Giles would become fifth all-time in receiving yards for the Buccaneers with 4,300. When the Buccaneers miraculously got to the NFC Championship in 1979, Giles lead the team with 40 catches for 579 yards and seven touchdowns. The next year, Giles led the entire NFL with an average of 18.2 yards per catch. In 1981, Giles had career highs in would help the Bucs return to the playoffs with career highs in receptions (45) and yards (786) helping the Bucs get back to the playoffs.

In today’s NFL, those numbers may make some say “who cares?” However that’s the way the NFL was in those days, and the four-time Pro Bowler is worthy of being called the Bucs best tight end, and certainly worthy of this spot on this list.