Buccaneers Decide to Throw Young to the Lions--He’ll Start on Sunday

Quarterback Steve Young, who hasn’t played a down since joining Tampa Bay from the USFL on Sept. 10, will start this week’s game against Detroit, Coach Leeman Bennett announced Monday.

The Buccaneers, coming off a 62-28 loss to the New York Jets that Bennett termed “totally embarrassing,” will take a 1-10 record into Tampa Stadium Sunday against the 6-5 Lions. Young will replace veteran Steve DeBerg.

“I made a decision this morning to start Steve Young this week,” Bennett said. “I want to play him in enough games to get a good look at him, and he’s exactly where I thought he’d be at this point of the season. He’s progressed well under the circumstances, considering the disadvantage of missing training camp, and I think he’s a good talent.”

Young signed two days after the season opener at Chicago, and disgruntled Tampa Bay fans have been shouting for his appearance at home games for more than a month. The former Brigham Young star played two seasons with the USFL’s Los Angeles Express after signing a contract worth an estimated $40 million.

“I feel Steve DeBerg has played well this year, but the number of interceptions (18) concerns me because he’s never been an interception thrower before,” Bennett said. “We’ll simplify our game plan a little just to be doubly certain he (Young) can handle what we’re doing, but he has a good grasp of the offense. He’s got quick feet, good accuracy and touch on the ball and he’s smart. I told him he’s not coming in as a savior . . . we’re a 1-10 team.”