Tales From The Bucs Sideline

Plenty of sports franchises have stories that flow from hopelessness to prosperity. That was the backdrop when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became world champions, but how many others had to perform with an accompanying laugh track? How many used the number one overall draft pick on a player (Bo Jackson) who surveyed the scene, shrugged his shoulders, and decided to play baseball? How many essentially gave away their battered and star-crossed quarterback (Steve Young), suddenly jump-starting his route to the Hall of Fame? How many had a coach (John McKay), who, when asked what he thought of his team's execution, wryly replied, I'm in favor of it? How many work in an antiquated training facility (One Buc Place) that hosts exterminators more often than the owners? For nearly a generation, they were the Yucks. Then they transformed themselves from frogs into princes. Tales from the Bucs Sideline is their story, warts and all. From winless wonders to world champions, from hapless players too embarrassed to show their faces in public to superstars who are constantly in your face. One and off the field, this is the story of how a franchise can transform from woeful to wonderful, complete with all the unforgettable (and forgettable) moments and characters.

University of Miami football is more than national championships, thirty-game winning streaks, and being a pipeline to the NFL. It’s the Gator Flop, defeating Tulane on a fifth down, and playing three games in eight days. It’s converting third and 44 against Notre Dame, Michael Irvin talking smack with Florida State’s Deion Sanders, and Vinny Testaverde being sacked by hamburgers. It’s the Jet Lag Kids playing seven road games in one season, including one in Tokyo, and it’s the Ibis mascot being arrested on the field in Tallahassee and being nicked by a bullet on Bourbon Street. Tales from the Miami Hurricanes Sideline is a collection of the greatest anecdotes and stories ever told about ’Canes football. In this newly updated edition, Jim Martz, who has covered the team for more than three decades, chronicles the ups, downs, and sideways of this spirited program that has produced five national championship teams under four different coaches since 1983. They have won under charismatic coaches and under low-key coaches. More than anything, they have won with colorful players. In an age of parity and just a few years removed from the program nearly being dropped, the Hurricanes have defied the odds and become a dynasty of modern college football.

Relive the Greatest Moments in Saints Football—Newly Updated! The New Orleans Saints own a rich history that reflects the unique character of their hometown—always colorful, sometimes sinful, and utterly unpredictable. In recent years, the Saints have shaken off their reputation as the NFL’s lovable Fleur de Losers and have risen to become a dangerous gridiron competitor once again. Despite the struggles of their early years, the Saints are adored and worshipped by their fans like few other teams in the league. Their diehard followers are resilient, passionate, and eternally optimistic. In this newly revised edition of Tales from the New Orleans Saints Sideline, author Jeff Duncan chronicles the flamboyant history of the franchise, its highs and lows, the great coaches and players, and the colorful characters that have made it one of the most interesting clubs in NFL history. Tales from the New Orleans Saints Sideline details the franchise’s journey from the bumbling early years under freewheeling owner John Mecom, through the misguided and madcap three seasons under Coach Mike Ditka, and the return to respectability under the wise Sean Payton. Primed and ready to achieve the glory that has thus far eluded them, the New Orleans Saints have hundreds of stories to be told, and thousands of moments to share. Now fans will relive all the greatest triumphs and most devastating defeats, and get the inside story from former Saints greats like Mora, Archie Manning, Morten Andersen, Pat Swilling, Drew Brees, and more. Without a doubt, Tales from the New Orleans Saints Sideline is a must-have for any football fan.

This updated edition in the best-selling “Tales from the Sidelines” series captures the memorable moments, colorful characters, outstanding players, and championship seasons that are part of the Broncos’ storied history. Beginning with the franchise’s origins as a charter member of the American Football League in 1960, Andrew Mason takes the reader on a journey that includes a decade of Bronco futility, the AFL-NFL merger, and the team’s first-ever playoff appearance in 1977, when they went all the way to the Super Bowl. Since then, the Denver Broncos have become one of the NFL’s most consistent and successful franchises, with just six losing seasons in the last thirty-seven years. Mason mines the team’s rich history for stories that are revealing, moving, and often hilarious. Examples from the first ten years are “the worst uniforms ever,” the arrival of Lou Saban and Floyd Little, and the story of “Marlin the Magician.” The 70s brought John Ralston, the 3-4 Orange Crush defense, the Miracle of ’77, and wild man Lyle Alzado. John Elway took the Broncos through the 80s and 90s, “The Drive,” five Super Bowls, two championships, and “the greatest walk off ever.” Fans are treated to the “ups, downs, and frowns” of Jay Cutler, the second coming of Peyton Manning, two more Super Bowls, one more championship, and the dominance of Von Miller. “Mile High Football” is alive and well in Denver, but it wasn’t always that way. In this newly revised edition of Tales from the Denver Broncos Sideline, Andrew Mason gives readers the stories of the low points that tested Broncos fans’ allegiance, the incredible highs that followed, and everything in between.

Through all the pain, all the glory, and all the moments of absurdity, fans of the Atlanta Falcons have always had one thing in common—passion. Now those stalwart supporters will get to relive all the history of their favorite franchise in this newly updated edition of Tales from the Atlanta Falcons Sideline. Since their inauspicious beginnings in 1966, the Atlanta Falcons have risen to become one of the powerhouse teams of the NFC South. In this riveting collection of misbegotten woes and tireless efforts, Matt Winkeljohn captures an epic journey of athletic redemption. From the team’s miserable, mosquito-infested first training camp, to the shocking defeat of the Minnesota Vikings in the 1999 NFC Championship game, and up through their recent success, Tales from the Atlanta Falcons Sideline has it all.

Ideal for fans of the Mark of a Lion series and Bill Parcells Pro football chronicle of the New York Jets Covers the successes and losses of the Jets For over 55 seasons, the New York Jets have not enjoyed large doses of pride and glory. Yes, Joe Namath led them to a stunning Super Bowl III upset victory in 1968. But since then, the Jets have gone back and forth between maddening and entertaining, bumbling and embarrassing, and constantly teasing their fierce fan base. At this point, rather sadistically, the rollercoaster of rooting for the Jets has become a way of life. In Tales from the New York Jets Sideline, author Mark Cannizzaro brings his readers on a journey. Readers and author travel through Cannizzaro’s eyes and the eyes of the subjects he has covered, throughout the maze of musings, controversial coincidences, and the occasional brilliance that the Jets have displayed during the years the author has followed the franchise. This includes their consecutive AFC Championship Game losses in 2009 and 2010 and the following struggles, adding to the former angst and teases Jets fans have felt since Joe Willie’s memorable triumph. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Although Tony Dungy was passed over in the 1977 NFL draft, Coach Chuck Noll of the Pittsburgh Steelers recognized his athleticism and understanding of the game and signed him as a free agent. Later, at the age of 25, Dungy began his NFL coaching career with the Steelers. He went on to coach the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then considered retiring from football. Instead, he accepted a coaching job with the Indianapolis Colts and in 2007 became the first African American head coach to win the Super Bowl. Find out how Dungy’s intellect, strength of character, and leadership qualities have made him a champion on and off the field.

Relates the noteable and not so well known stories of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League's South conference.