The No.88 shirt It is amazing how some numbers have a complete dearth of talent, and then others are just totally blessed with it. I mean, how can Mark Carrier not win a best-ever to wear a number award? When he wore the same one as Jimmie Giles. Giles was Doug Williams' favourite target and good friend for five seasons under John McKay, and Giles continued his excellent work in the 88 jersey until he was unceremoniously dumped by Hugh Culverhouse in October 1986. Carrier set the record for most receiving yardage in Buccaneer history and also posted a massive 1,400-yard season in 1989 from Vinny no less. Mark was followed in the number by the speedy Horace Copeland whose emergence into NFL stardom was curtailed by a knee injury that caused him to miss a complete season. Since then, this has been a number worn by back-ups and tight ends, none of whom have really impressed in any way although Luke Stocker will claim the longevity award behind Giles. So if we ever decide to introduce a "second-best ever" award for any jersey, then Mark Carrier will be the first one named but he was up against a member of the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor this time out. BEST EVER TO WEAR No.88 FOR THE BUCCANEERS - JIMMIE GILES
Click on the player's name for their profile page, Buccaneer stats and picture galleries Years Player Pos 1976 Barry Smith WR 1978-86 Jimmie Giles TE 1986 Jeff Spek TE 1987 Dwayne Dixon WR 1988-92 Mark Carrier WR 1994-98 Horace Copeland WR 1998 Brice Hunter WR 1999 Yo Murphy WR 2000 Andre Hastings WR 2001 Milton Wynn WR 2002-04 Rickey Dudley TE 2005-07 Anthony Becht TE 2008-10 John Gilmore TE 2011-17 Luke Stocker TE 2018-20 Tanner Hudson TE 2021 Darren Fells TE 2022- Cade Otton TE