Rookies started a record 750 games last season...
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Offensive lineman Ryan O'Callaghan, a fifth-rounder from Cal, started for the New England Patriots and helped block for Laurence Maroney, a first-rounder sharing running-back duties with Corey Dillon. Maroney's first career carry (in Week 1) went for 27 yards, longer than all but two of the Patriots' rushes in 2005.
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The 49ers, like every other team, hope that their productive rookies grow into even more productive veterans, which is how Pittsburgh home-cooked itself a Super Bowl victory. The Steelers had 19 starters last season who were either drafted or signed as rookie free agents, the highest total by any of the past 10 Super Bowl winners.
In a copycat league, it doesn't take long for others to catch on. The Bills, Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs kept their entire draft class. The Green Bay Packers kept 11 draft choices and three undrafted free agents.
