The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won nine games last season and barely missed the playoffs. In the half-year since, they've added some very significant pieces to what they believe is a very promising and young core of talent.
Whether or not the Buccaneers take the next step and return to the playoffs hinges on a number of "X-factors." Will speedy wide receiver DeSean Jackson inject a big-play element into the aerial attack and open up the field for his fellow pass-catchers? Can Noah Spence and/or Jacquies Smith develop into that dominant edge rusher the defense needs? Now that the players have adjusted to his scheme, can Defensive Coordinator Mike Smith unlock more of his playbook?