By Greg Auman
TAMPA —- Sunday's season-opening win against the Bears saw the debut of 13 Bucs, a mix of rookies and free-agent veterans.
None were more long awaited than right guard J.R. Sweezy, who signed with Tampa Bay last year, missed all of last season after back surgery and hadn't played in 20 months.
"It felt really good to finally get back into the swing of things and play some real football," said Sweezy, 28, who played every offensive snap of the 29-7 victory over Chicago.
When Jacquizz Rodgers ran in for a 1-yard touchdown and a 17-0 lead, it was Sweezy who blocked 320-pound nose tackle Eddie Goldman as Rodgers went in.