5 Reasons Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Can Win the NFC South Title in 2015 By Luke Easterling Jun 26, 2015 
Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press It's not often the team with the league's worst record can turn around and win the division the following season, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might just find themselves in that situation in 2015.The Bucs had a quiet free-agency period, spending their cap space far more conservatively than in past years and bringing in quality players who fit their schemes but didn't break the bank. They spent the No. 1 overall pick on a new franchise quarterback, hoping to energize a lackluster offense. They improved their depth across the entire roster and will actually have an offensive coordinator this year.Tampa Bay has done all the right things on paper this offseason to build the foundation for a contender over the next few years, but it also has enough talent to make a serious run for a division that produced a champion with a 7-8-1 record last season.Here are five reasons why the Bucs could bag their first division title since 2007 this year.The Jameis Factor
Chris O'Meara/Associated Press In today's NFL, it's extremely difficult to be a consistent playoff contender without a legitimate franchise quarterback at the helm.This is a huge reason why the Bucs haven't sniffed a playoff victory since hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after the 2002 season. The likes of Bruce Gradkowski, Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms, Brian Griese, Josh Freeman and Mike Glennon haven't been able to get the Bucs to the next level, and last year's Josh McCown experiment failed miserably.Enter Famous Jameis.After trying to get lucky with veterans and mid-round picks over the years, the Bucs finally had the opportunity to add a top young talent at the game's most important position. Jameis Winston brings his share of off-field concerns to the table, but he's been a model citizen since becoming a Buc. He also brings all the skills needed to develop into a star on the field, and he's surrounded by plenty of weapons to throw to.Winston is certain to take his lumps as a rookie this year, but he's got an uncanny ability to make the clutch plays needed to pull out wins late in the game, something the Bucs struggled mightily with last season. His presence alone could easily be the difference that turns a one-score loss into a dramatic victory this season.Offseason Winners
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports Obviously, it's all a paper competition until the helmets start popping in September, but it's hard to argue any other team in the NFC South got better than the Bucs did this offseason.Tampa Bay spent money much more wisely in free agency this year after being burned by some of the bigger names over the past few offseasons. Still, it was able to bring in quality role players at a good price and even improved at least one starting spot by replacing Mason Foster with Bruce Carter, who is a much better fit at middle linebacker in the Tampa 2 scheme.In the draft, the Bucs scored a new franchise quarterback who could become the star the team has lacked at the position while bringing in a pair of offensive linemen who could end up starting right away.Throw in a linebacker in Kwon Alexander who could push for the starting role on the strong side and two receivers—Kenny Bell and Kaelin Clay—who could make a significant impact on offense and special teams, and the Bucs are looking at quite a haul of rookies.The New Orleans Saints traded away two of their most explosive offensive players in Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills and didn't bring in a single playmaker in the passing game via the draft or free agency. Drew Brees has already started to show signs of being in the twilight of his career, and Marques Colston is right there with him in that column.The Carolina Panthers spent their first-round pick on a linebacker despite having one of the league's best units already. Devin Funchess gives Cam Newton another big target to throw to, but he's still got plenty of development to go through as a receiver. Throw in a free-agent class that was less than thrilling, and Carolina's offseason doesn't move the needle much.The Atlanta Falcons had one of the best drafts of any NFL team, adding plenty of talent and getting great value in the middle rounds. Vic Beasley is exactly the type of edge-rusher they needed, while the team's picks in Rounds 3-5—running back Tevin Coleman, defensive lineman Grady Jarrett and receiver Justin Hardy—should all outplay their draft position.Their free-agent class left a bit to be desired, though, which could limit their ability to make a huge improvement this season.The Bucs were smart in free agency, got their new quarterback, added an offensive coordinator with a proven record of success and added plenty of depth in free agency and the draft. In my book, they beat their division rivals in the "best offseason" competition.Depth and Confidence
Chris O'Meara/Associated Press The NFL teams that enjoy consistent success are the ones able to build quality depth, allowing them to deal with the inevitable injuries that plague every roster on a yearly basis.Familiarity and comfort regarding their schemes is equally important.Both of those areas were anything but strengths for the Bucs in 2014. They lacked depth at most positions and spent the year trying to adjust to a new defensive scheme, and the offense had the rug yanked out from under it with the enforced departure of new offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford just before the start of the regular season due to health issues.This time around, there should be much more stability at One Buc Place. The defense will have another offseason and training camp to get comfortable with the Tampa 2 scheme after already starting to show improvement toward the end of last season. On offense, the presence of new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter will give the Bucs the road map they were missing for all of 2014.The Bucs also bolstered their depth on both sides of the ball through free agency and the draft, even grabbing a few players off waivers who should make the team and contribute if called upon. All of this adds up to a much more confident roster heading into 2015, which, when combined with their overall talent, could easily put the Bucs in the thick of the division race.Offense Built for Big Plays
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Defense may win championships, but in today's NFL, the ability to create big plays on a consistent basis on offense has become equally important. The Bucs struggled in this area for much of 2014, aside from Mike Evans pulling a few rabbits out of his hat during the second half of the season.This year, the Bucs look to have the perfect combination of scheme and personnel to make sparks fly in the passing game.New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter loves to attack the secondary vertically, and he'll have the weapons to do it in Tampa Bay, just as he did in Atlanta. Instead of Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, he'll have Evans, Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, three playmakers with great size and athleticism who can stretch the field, be open even when they're covered and dominate in the red zone.Koetter will also have a gunslinger under center in rookie Jameis Winston, who won't be afraid to pull the trigger and push the ball down the field. He's likely to make his share of mistakes by trusting his arm more than he probably should, but he also won't be afraid to chuck the ball and trust his big receivers to make a play.As disorganized and frustrating as the Bucs offense looked last season, it could make a huge turnaround in 2015, helping the team hang with a division that boasts offensive attacks by the likes of Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Cam Newton.Always Up for Grabs 
Historically, the team that gets to the top of the NFC South doesn't stay there for very long.Since the league's realignment in 2002, each team in the NFC South has won the division at least three times, with the Carolina Panthers taking the all-time lead by winning their fourth division title last season. The division is also the only one since realignment to have each of its members reach at least one conference championship game.The parity of the NFC South has been fascinating to watch, but Bucs fans have grown impatient over the last few years, as they've failed to get back in the thick of the division race. No team in the group has gone as long as the Bucs have without an NFC South title, with their last crown coming in 2007.This year's team might not bring the excitement of the Bucs' first-ever kick return for a touchdown—Tampa will love you forever, Michael Spurlock—but the Bucs are due for their turn at the top of the league's most up-and-down division.Michael Spurlock TD Returnlink
