Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be in the NFL playoffs in 2014 if…

And: New defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier can help this team develop a consistent pass rush and do a better job against opposing quarterbacks. General manager Jason Licht grabbed some big names in free agency to improve an area that has been a weak spot for a numbers of years. Last season’s so-so total of 35 sacks was the team’s best output since 2005 (36).

Over the last six seasons, the Buccaneers have totaled only 168 sacks in 96 contests. Conversely, the defense has allowed 164 touchdown passes over that span, including 30 scores through the air each of the last three years.

To help rectify these shortcomings, the team added defensive end Michael Johnson and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald, late of the Bengals and Seattle Seahawks, respectively. In the secondary, the addition of Pro Bowl cornerback Alterraun Verner (Tennessee Titans) will hopefully take the sting out of releasing veteran defender Darrelle Revis.

These newcomers, teamed with standouts such as Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, underrated outside linebacker Lavonte David and emerging strong safety Mark Barron, good things could be in store for Frazier’s unit.