The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave up one of their home games to play in London against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. When the league scheduled the match up, it probably did not expect the Bucs to be winless heading into Week 7. Despite their struggles this season, the Bucs can expect healthy crowd support at Wembley Stadium, according to the Orlando Sentinel. In 1984, a Buccaneers fan club was founded in England, in the midst of a 14-season losing streak. Why? Club founder Paul Stewart told the newspaper how it all started:

“The first game of American football I ever saw was in December 1982. Channel 4, a new TV station over here, started showing a one-hour packaged program with highlights of the previous Monday night game, other game clips and features explaining the rules. The first one I watched was Tampa Bay vs. Miami. The Bucs won 23-17 and I thought, ‘Hey, that team in orange must be pretty good, I’ll support them.’ … DOH! … For other club members, a lot follow the Bucs because they have been to the bay area on vacation, some felt sorry for them during the losing. Some jumped on the bandwagon following the Super Bowl win.”

Other stories around the web on Friday:

• A connection to the Browns’ past returns, as Clay Matthews‘ son comes to Cleveland with the Packers.

• Bucs running back Derrick Ward is no longer conducting interviews with the Tampa Bay media.

• Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams believes he and QB Tony Romo will click.

• Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood will be a featured guest at the Rams-Colts game.

• The New York Jets will take a ‘committee approach’ to replacing nose tackle Kris Jenkins.

• The Miami Dolphins are still looking for an impact from ‘Tri-Rail’ defense.

• Buccaneers return man Clifton Smith says he has ‘no fear’ after taking a big hit last week.

• The Lions aren’t rushing QB Matthew Stafford back from injury.

• How did Rocker Joan Jett become a Green Bay Packers fan?

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