Bucs have endured brutal 16-game stretch It has been more than a year since Buccaneers fans felt good about their franchise. Tampa Bay's misery has extended over 16 games, a full season, as the 1-11 Bucs head into Sunday's home matchup against the Jets. This stunning descent into football purgatory began on the evening of Dec. 8, 2008, when the Bucs were run over by the Panthers in a highly anticipated Monday night game at Charlotte. The 38-23 setback triggered a four-game December slide that convinced ownership that Coach Jon Gruden and GM Bruce Allen had to go. With one win in their last 16 games, the Bucs are banking on 21-year-old quarterback Josh Freeman and a potential draft harvest to turn things around. "Being 9-3 going into that Carolina game last year, I never would have thought we wouldn't make the playoffs and we'd be 1-11 this season," said right tackle Jeremy Trueblood. "It's been really hard on all of us, but I think with this young quarterback of ours, the future is pretty bright." Tampa Bay's 2008 collapse coincided with Monte Kiffin's decision to join his son, Lane, at the University of Tennessee after 13 distinguished seasons as Bucs defensive coordinator. The Bucs yielded 123 points in those final four games, prompting an offseason overhaul. "One win in 16 games - man, it's been a nightmare," said second-year cornerback Aqib Talib. "Last season, it all started going bad in December and it kind of rolled on to the next year. Hopefully, we can get something going this December and let it roll into 2010." Following a second consecutive 9-7 season and a veteran purge in February that included future Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks, the Bucs failed to land a prime-time game in 2009. Tampa Bay's 13-year streak of placing at least one player on the NFC Pro Bowl roster is in jeopardy, and fan interest is waning. "Every man in this locker room has been tested over the last 16 games," said wide receiver Michael Clayton, "and I think we've handled it fairly well. We keep coming up short, and it's in the details - the little details that we need to get a handle on. It's tough to get a handle on them during the season. You get handles on details in the offseason. "Continuity has been tough. We've got new faces here, and every week there are new plays. But if we hang together and don't have more setbacks, next year could be a heck of a year. Without a doubt, this has been a test. I have to think it'll make us a better team in the very near future." With 10 draft picks next April, including two in the second round, the Bucs have an opportunity to chart a new course. "This has been a very difficult stretch, but it's a good thing to be able to weed out people you may not want here," Trueblood said. "We've got a four-game season left, and this is pretty much our playoff run. Let's face it, the last 16 games have been brutal. It's been trying, but I think it makes you a stronger player. It makes you appreciate winning more." Ira Kaufman, The Tampa Tribune 11 December 2009