TAMPA — If you want to see a team give the Heisman Trophy stiff-arm to expectations, check out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
They have an ascending franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston, who has thrown for more than 4,000 yards in each of his first two NFL seasons.
They have surrounded Winston and Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans with blazing weapons such as DeSean Jackson and rookies O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin.
They have an improving defense in its second year under coordinator Mike Smith.
They are young. They are coming off a 9-7 season. They are desperate to end a nine-year playoff drought.