"The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' hopes of winning the NFC South division title or just making the playoffs are fading fast.

At 4-7, the Bucs could finish the 2011 season with a winning record, but even that is starting to look like a long shot. They've reached the stage then where thoughts turn to 2012.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the five areas that seem most problematic and likely will need attention during the offseason.

Outside linebacker

When the rookie middle linebacker, who didn't see even see a playbook until a couple days before training camp, is your best and most consistent linebacker, you have issues. The Bucs counted on outside linebackers Quincy Black and Geno Hayes to help anchor the defense, but didn't mean for them to drag it down. Hayes was benched once this season for inconsistent play and many believed Black deserved a seat right beside him.

The Bucs could use the draft to correct this problem, but need help immediately, which means they could be forced to go the free-agency route.

Cornerback

Ronde Barber has easily been the Bucs' best defender this season. There's no telling, though, if he'll want to come back for a 16th season in 2012. There still is concern Aqib Talib faces a suspension, if not jail time, for his involvement in a shooting incident in Texas in March. The Bucs seem pretty happy with E.J. Biggers as a third corner, but Myron Lewis is struggling to earn playing time. So, the Bucs need at least one, if not two, starting-caliber upgrades here."