Buccaneers Roll Out The First Year Players

Do not call them "Rookies" anymore.  

The youngest team in the NFL may have rolled out the NFL's youngest starting lineup last weekend, standing toe-to-toe with the Atlanta Falcons with the NFC South on the line.  It was the first half of this rivalry this year -- the rematch happens in just three weeks.  A lot may change by then, but one thing will not:  the Buccaneers have young talent and they are not afraid to use it.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started six first year players this past weekend and all contributed while playing a substantial number of minutes:

WR Mike Williams -- 4 Catches, 89 Yards, Touchdown

WR Arrelious Benn -- 1 Catch, 14 Yards, 1st Touchdown of his career

DT Gerald McCoy -- Tackle, Assist

FS Cody Grimm -- 5 Tackles

P Robert Malone -- 3 punts, 39 Yard Average (Two within the Atlanta 20-yard line)

G Ted Larsen -- 3rd Straight Start

And there were others noobs who also contributed:  RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Preston Parker, and DT Al Woods.  In fact, Woods recorded his first NFL tackle after being signed just four days earlier while Blount, Malone, and Larsen were added after training camp.  This solidifies the fact the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the coaches and support staff in place to develop young talent into a team capable of competing for an NFC playoff spot.  How much more youth can be packed on the roster?

It looks like Ponce De Leon was correct -- there really is a Fountain of Youth in Florida.

Too bad he didn't look near One Buccaneer Place.