TAMPA, Fla. -- It's trendy to say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done nothing in free agency, but that's not accurate.

While they have been silent on the offensive side of the ball, the Bucs quietly have gotten better on defense. There haven't been any of the splashy moves (Darrelle Revis, Dashon Goldson and Michael Johnson come to mind) they had in recent years. But the Bucs have methodically brought in some lower-profile players who could fill key roles.

This is a better defense now than it was at the end of last season. The latest piece came Wednesday when the Bucs acquired defensive end George Johnson from Detroit. Johnson, who has six career sacks, might not seem like that much of an addition. But at worst, he gives the Bucs a situational pass-rusher. At best, he'll earn a starting job.

The rest of Tampa Bay's moves have been similar. The team added safety Chris Conte, linebacker Bruce Carter and defensive tackle Henry Melton. Oh, and let's not forget that cornerback Mike Jenkins is returning from a pectoral injury that kept him out all of last season.

Carter is the only one of the bunch who is guaranteed a starting job. He'll take the place of Mason Foster at middle linebacker. Foster didn't fit well in the Tampa 2 defense because he wasn't great in pass coverage. Carter fared well in that area, recording five interceptions for Dallas last season.

Part of the reason Michael Johnson, Revis and Goldson are gone is because they weren't natural fits in the Tampa 2 scheme. The newcomers are proven commodities in that style of defense.

Melton and Conte played for Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith in Chicago. Melton also played in Dallas under coordinator Rod Marinelli, who runs the same style of defense. Carter excelled in that system. Jenkins also played in Dallas under former coordinator Monte Kiffin, who was one of the inventors of the Tampa 2.

The Bucs already have two defensive superstars in Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David. Now they've got some nice role players to go with them.