TAMPA -— The real heroes of the Bucs suddenly relevant season are the players who have been starring, not starting.
It's the cast of castaways that keeps getting longer. Doug Martin goes down. Jacquizz Rodgers carries the load at running back. Rodgers goes down. Hello, rookies Peyton Barber and Antone Smith. Smith was done after three games with a knee injury but contributed 124 yards on 16 touches.
Vincent Jackson is out. Cecil Shorts is up. Shorts is down, time for your close up, Freddie Martino.
It's players such as defensive end DaVonte Lambert, center Ben Gottschalk, defensive back Javien Elliott and Keith Tandy, a true pro who had the game-sealing interception last week at San Diego.