2002 RECORD: 12-4 TEAM RANK (NFL): Defense (1st); Offense (24th) ADDITIONS: Free agents -- G Jason Whittle (Giants), QB Jim Miller (Bears), LB Dwayne Rudd (Browns), LB Clayton White (Giants), WR Jacquez Green (Lions), RB Terry Kirby (Raiders), RB Thomas Jones (Cardinals). Draft picks -- No first rounder. 2. DE Dewayne White (Louisville); 3. QB Chris Simms (Texas); 4a. OT Lance Nimmo (West Virginia); 4b. C Austin King (Northwestern); 5. G Sean Mahan (Notre Dame), 6. CB Torrie Cox (Pittsburgh). SUBTRACTIONS: S Dexter Jackson (Cardinals), C Todd Washington (Texans), C Jeff Christy (released), LB Alshermond Singleton (Cowboys), WR Antoine Toliver (released), QB Rob Johnson (Redskins), QB Shane Matthews (Bengals), LS Mike Solwold (Ravens). Team news | Roster | More on Bucs draft

		Thu., July 3 Can the Bucs really get back to the Super Bowl with this group of runners? Hey, it's tough enough to repeat as Super Bowl champions in the NFL even if all things are equal to the title season. But for the Bucs to defend their championship with another subpar running game, and with the possibility leading rusher Michael Pittman may be sitting in jail in a few weeks, would be doubly daunting. The Bucs' running game, even with some late-season improvement fueled by the performance of the offensive line, still finished as the NFL's sixth-poorest in 2002. Pittman, who many felt would flourish in the Jon Gruden-designed attack, gained only 718 yards. Little-publicized fact: The guy did better than that in each of his final two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, a team that can't compare to the Bucs, even in terms of overall offensive talent. Getting another Cardinals retread in a recent trade, first-round bust Thomas Jones, is an example of a club just hoping the light bulb suddenly goes on for a player who has done nothing to his point in his career. And the addition of free agent Terry Kirby won't help much, since he was imported to be a third-down back, and maybe return some kicks. If Pittman is unavailable for any length of time, it means the brunt of the running game falls to Mike Alstott, and that means Tampa Bay will be strictly one dimensional on the ground. Alstott is most effective in one-back sets, runs best between the tackles, doesn't provide any wiggle. In an NFC South that might be the NFL's most competitive division, the Bucs might need some smoke and mirrors to succeed with a very average running back contingent.

Head coach Jon Gruden worked wonders in his first season in Tampa Bay, transforming a talented Buccaneers team into Super Bowl champions. Tampa's defense was dominant, as usual -- the unit relinquished only 12.3 points per game (tops in the league), and 252.8 yards per game (almost 40 yards fewer than any other team). Meanwhile, veteran quarterback Brad Johnson flourished under Gruden's tutelage, throwing 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions.

Can they do it again? None of the previous four Super Bowl champs (Patriots, Ravens, Rams, Broncos) has won their division the following year, or advanced beyond the divisional round of the playoffs. The Bucs appear poised to buck that trend, having remained relatively intact and even upgraded in a couple places. But a few players' offseason legal troubles and improved competition within their division will be challenges to overcome.

What they've added?
Despite playing well in the Super Bowl, running back Michael Pittman was a big disappointment in his first year with the Bucs -- plus he's one of the Tampa Bay players who had a serious run-in with the law over the offseason. So Tampa traded for Thomas Jones from the Cardinals. Jones was the seventh pick in the 2000 draft, but couldn't beat out Pittman while they were teammates in Arizona and has been injury prone. Perhaps the change of scenery will help him. The Bucs also added veteran running back Terry Kirby as a potential third-down weapon.

The running game should benefit from an improved offensive line. The Bucs have added guard Jason Whittle from the Giants and center John Wade from the Jaguars -- along with re-signing left tackle Roman Oben. Former Bears starter Jim Miller appears healthy and will likely be Johnson's backup at quarterback, and the team selected Chris Simms from Texas in the third round of the draft. He could blossom under Gruden's guidance down the road.

On defense, strong-side linebacker Al Singleton signed with the Cowboys, but Tampa upgraded at that position anyway with the addition of Dwayne Rudd, formerly of the Browns. And second-round draft choice DeWayne White, a defensive end from Louisville, is a good pass rusher who should see some action right away.

What they're missing?
It's hard to find many holes on the Tampa Bay roster. They've got stars at several positions on the defensive side of the ball. Although free safety Dexter Jackson, the Super Bowl MVP, bolted for Arizona, nickel cornerback Dwight Smith worked at that position in a minicamp this spring.

Fantasy Focus

As Tampa Bay's running back situation remains in flux with Michael Pittman's legal troubles, the Bucs will be leaning on their passing attack for offensive support. After struggling early, Brad Johnson and his wideouts, Keyshawn Johnson, Keenan McCardell and Joe Jurevicius, became more comfortable in their first season playing in Jon Gruden's West Coast offense. That was reflected in their Super Bowl run. Jurevicius, especially, flourished as he led the Bucs in the playoffs with 197 yards. Expect Jurevicius to continue to play a larger role in the offense this season. Take him as a No. 5 wideout in drafts and a sleeper may arise. -- Roger Rotter, ESPN.com fantasy editor

On offense, the most glaring problem is the lack of a dependable No. 1 halfback. But on the flip side, Tampa has one of the deepest backfields in the NFL, with plenty of talent between Jones, Pittman, Aaron Stecker and fullback Mike Alstott. Odds are at least one of them will find success this season -- if the offensive line stays healthy.

What it all means?
On paper, Tampa Bay looks primed to repeat -- well, except for on its offseason rap sheet. Pittman, Smith and offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker were all arrested over the past few months. The Bucs need to avoid further turmoil off the field.

That's especially true in an improving NFC South. The division's four teams had more victories (37) than any other division in the league last season. Carolina has improved its offensive talent to go along with a stingy defense; Michael Vick should only get better in Atlanta; and New Orleans is a playoff contender that beat the Bucs twice last season. Tampa Bay faces a tough task -- but it has the talent and coaching to pull it off.

Kieran Darcy works for ESPN The Magazine.