Their playoff run came up a tiebreaker short.
They've added the game's best deep threat (DeSean Jackson) and the hero Alabama's last national championship (O.J. Howard). And have you seen Hard Knocks?
It's a good time to be a a Buc and a Bucs fan. But can they recapture their place as Tampa Bay's favorite sports team? The Times' Bucs coverage team weighs in:
Ernest Hooper, @hoop4you
Yes, but winning Tampa Bay's heart requires more than winning on the field. Measuring this intangible involves connecting with the community as often as Jameis Winston connects with Mike Evans, and while current players engage in charitable efforts, they've yet to replicate the feel-good spirit fostered by guys like Derrick Brooks, Warrick Dunn, John Lynch, Mike Alstott and Coach Tony Dungy.