Be dense if you want, but that team got better in a hurry through FA...and did not really break the bank.
Not trying to be dense. But in 2011 TB was 4-12. In 2012, with the additions, they were 7-9. That is absolutely an improvement. But with further additions in 2013, they reverted to 4-12. How is it that they "got better in a hurry?"
But if the same were applied to the Cowboys, it would often be spun as "they spent all this money and only improved by 3 games. Total failure."
I'm not saying either is correct, but seeing the same measuring stick used in both situations would be nice.
As for not breaking the bank, they paid out:
2012
WR - Vincent Jackson - 5yrs $55M
OG - Carl Nicks - 5yrs $47.5M
CB - Erik Wright - 5yrs $37.5M
QB - Dan Orlovsky - 2yrs $2.5M
2013
S - Dashon Gholston - 5yrs $41.75M
LB - Jonathan Castillas - 1yr $1.4M
WR - Kevin Ogletree - 2yr $2.6M
Between those two years, they laid out a good bit of salary cap commitment.