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Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Top 10 Tuesday: Bucs Defensive Backs

Who are the 10 best Buccaneer defensive backs in franchise history? It probably isn't hard to figure out who tops the list.

TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 10: Defensive Back Ricky Reynolds #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers covers a receiver during the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Tampa Stadium on August 10, 1991 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 13-29. (photo by Bob and Sylvia Allen/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 10: Defensive Back Ricky Reynolds #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers covers a receiver during the preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Tampa Stadium on August 10, 1991 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 13-29. (photo by Bob and Sylvia Allen/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

10. CB Ricky Reynolds

Reynolds spent seven seasons in a Buccaneer uniform from 1987 to 1993. He started 103 of 105 games he played and in that time, nabbed 17 interceptions and forced eight fumbles. His longest interception return was for 68 yards during the 1989 season and was one of five he had in his most productive year in Tampa Bay.

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 20: Defensive back Mark Cotney #33 and Thomas #41 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers run to tackle against the Chicago Bears at Tampa Stadium on December 20, 1980 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 13-14. (photo by Allen's Studio/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

9. S Mark Cotney

As a safety, Cotney was part of the Bucs' inaugural season in 1976, starting 13 of 14 games that year. During his eight year stint at a Buc, he also nabbed 17 interceptions and recovered six fumbles. He was acquired in the expansion draft from the Houston Oilers, spending the rest of his career in Tampa Bay.

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 26: ABC Sports interviews Safety Dexter Jackson #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl Trophy during the post game celebration against the Oakland Raiders during the Super Bowl XXXVII at Qualcomm Stadium on January 26, 2003 in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers won 48-21. (Jim Enos/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

8. S Dexter Jackson

While Jackson's numbers may not stack up as well against some of the guys on this list, it's hard to overlook the Buccaneers' Super Bowl MVP from the 2002 season here. He may have only had eight interceptions during his six seasons in Tampa Bay but he had two in Super Bowl XXXVII in back-to-back series, helping to hold the Raiders to just three points in the first half.

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Cornerback Aqib Talib #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on September 23, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. The Buccaneers lost 16-10. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

7. CB Aqib Talib

Talib was drafted by the Buccaneers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Kansas. His rookie season, he only started two games but still had four interceptions and nine passes defensed. His four-plus seasons in Tampa Bay saw 18 interceptions by Talib, with three returned for touchdowns. His 54 passes defensed as a Buc are the most he's had with any team he's been with.

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 23: Cornerback Mike Washington #40 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the New Orleans Saints at Tampa Stadium on October 23, 1983 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 21-24. (photo by Allen's Studio/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

6. CB Mike Washington

Washington was another player who was part of the Buccaneers in the beginning, acquired by the Bucs in the expansion draft from the Baltimore Colts. He spent nine seasons in a Buccaneer uniform, starting 97 of 100 games played. He tallied 28 interceptions in that span and scored on three of them.

TAMPA,FL - SEPTEMBER 27: Defensive back Cedric Brown #34,Defensive back Neal Colzie #20 and Offensive tackle Denver Johnson #70 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the preseason game against the St.Louis Cardinals at Tampa Stadium on September 27, 1981 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers won 20-10. (photo by Bob and Sylvia Allen/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

5. S Cedric Brown

And another one! Brown wore a Buccaneer uniform for the entirety of his NFL career from 1976 to 1984. He started 95 out of 100 games and had his most productive year in 1981. He recorded nine interceptions that season with 215 return yards and two defensive touchdowns.

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 3: Cornerback Brian Kelly #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action against the Denver Broncos at Raymond James Stadium on October 3, 2004 in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers lost 13-16. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

4. CB Brian Kelly

Kelly spent 10 seasons in Tampa Bay after he was drafted in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He recorded all 22 of his career interceptions as a Buccaneer and tallied 99 passes defensed in that time. He led the league during the 2002 season in defensive interceptions, recording eight during the Buccaneers' Super Bowl season.

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 2: Cornerback Donnie Abraham #21 and Defensive tackle Warren Sapp #99 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrate against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on December 2, 2001 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Buccaneers won 16-13 (OT). (photo by Tom Wagner/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

3. CB Donnie Abraham

Abraham was drafted by the Buccaneers in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft and started 12 of the Bucs' 16 games his rookie year, leading to an NFL All-Rookie Team selection. He led the league in interceptions with seven and in passes defensed with 25 during the 1999 season and followed it up with a Pro Bowl selection that following year in 2000, also recording seven interceptions and a league-high 23 passes defensed. He was with the Buccaneers until 2001, finishing his time in Tampa Bay with 31 interceptions and 64 passes defensed before playing three seasons with the New York Jets.

1/15/2000.- -.TAMPA.CAPTION INFO:.Washington Redskins vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Saturday, January 15, 2000.  NFC Divisional Playoff Game: Sandys  Tampa Bay Buccaneers SS John Lynch (47) celebrates the 14-13 win over Washington Redskins Saturday.

2. S John Lynch

The Stanford-product and Pro Football Hall of Fame hopeful wasn't drafted until the third round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He turned that selection into an 11 year career as a Buccaneer, going down as one of the most prolific players in franchise history. He represented the Buccaneers in five Pro Bowls and earned two First-Team All-Pro selections in that time. Known for his hard-hitting style, Lynch single-handedly changed the way the safety position was played in the National Football League.

BATON ROUGE, LA - DECEMBER 4: Cornerback Ronde Barber #20 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the New Orleans Saints at Tiger Stadium on December 4, 2005 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Buccaneers won 10-3. (photo by Matt May/Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

1. CB Ronde Barber

The only player that could top Lynch on this list is of course, Ronde Barber, who spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Buccaneers. Sixteen years! He went from not sure he'd make final roster cuts in his rookie season after being drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft, to leading the league in interceptions with 10 in 2001. He garnered First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors that season. It was the first of five Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro selections of his career. By the time he retired in 2012, Barber had amassed 47 interceptions with eight returned for touchdowns along with 12 fumble recoveries, a record that was just broken by linebacker Lavonte David this season. He also racked up 28.0 sacks as a corner by the time he was done, just for good measure. He also owns the highest Approximate Value total in franchise history among defensive backs, as assigned by Pro Football Reference with 150 and is waiting on his own Hall of Fame induction, making it as a semi-finalist this past year.

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