Duty Calls For Mark Barron
October 17th, 2012
Jimmy Graham’s health is a question mark for Sunday, but there’s little doubt Mark Barron was drafted, in part, with Graham in mind.
For months, Joe’s been looking forward to Sunday’s Saints-Bucs game to see Mark Barron cover Jimmy Graham.
In part, Barron was drafted so high because he can match up (we hope) physically with the freak-of-nature basketball tight ends like Graham, a new hot trend in the NFL. FOX Sports analyst and former NFL personnel man Chris Landry did a fantastic job explaining this in June with Steve Duemig.
Last night, Ronde Barber talked about the almost hopeless challenge the 6-7 Graham poses, during an interview on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
“Jimmy Graham is, I mean he’s almost impossible, you know, to manage in a 1-on-1 situation,” Barber said. “He’s just bigger than you. He’s a basketball player. He’s a power forward posting up on a point guard almost every time anybody is trying to cover him.”
Barber went on to describe the Saints as “a little down and out in a lot of ways” but still at team scoring a lot of points led by a “top-3 quarterback.”
While Joe hopes Graham takes Sunday off with his bum ankle, which the Saints have been very quiet about, there’s part of Joe that really wants to see Barron take on the challenge of Graham. A win with Graham on the field would be extra sweet.
October 17th, 2012 at 10:32 am
I think Graham plays, but he won’t be effective, Brees will use him as a decoy to open up the field while he tries to feed Sproles & Colston the ball like he did in their game before the bye.
October 17th, 2012 at 10:54 am
Biggers and Wright will have their hands full and Barron will gain invaluable experience vs Graham.
The front four need to get a pass rush going, but it will be a good test for the secondary nonetheless.
October 17th, 2012 at 11:15 am
Hope the Bucs smack the saints receivers right in the mouth . Putting some good hits on brees will slow them all down , be interesting to see how the Bucs play on both sides of the ball this week , hopefully Schiano and Sullivan turn Freeman and his wide receivers loose and the D smacks brees around .
October 17th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
I’m in a bind guys.
I have L Blount who has been coming on strong as of late… but I also have Darren Sproles who is usually pretty good but has had a few down weeks recently.
Also, considering the Buccaneers new found rush defense… I am having doubts about starting Sproles over Blount.
Take your heart out of it and tell me… Sproles or Blount for Sunday?
October 17th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
Fantasy smackdown in 3…2…1
October 17th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
Bllount, then you do not have to rooute for a Saint during a Bucs game, and the Bucs will stop the run again this week.
I am looking forward to seeing baron handle Graham as well.
October 17th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
That’s exactly why I don’t play fantasy football. The thought of cheering for a player on the Saints makes me want to vomit.
October 17th, 2012 at 2:04 pm
I wouldn’t bank on any running back running against the Bucs D! Just ask the Chiefs.
October 17th, 2012 at 9:14 pm
Hawaiian Buc you can play fantasy sports just dont draft anybody from a division foe
October 19th, 2012 at 2:14 am
I don’t want to cheer for any player on any other team besides the Bucs.