Barron Must Live Up To Draft Status
September 3rd, 2013
Safety Mark Barron started his pro career coming off double hernia surgery last season. He got off to a strong start, but clearly hit a rookie wall and finished up as an every-game starter for arguably the worst secondary in NFL history.
Barron is one of the great X-factors of this Bucs season.
When you’re the seventh overall NFL Draft pick, as Barron was in 2012, you absolutely must become an impact player. The Bucs drafted Barron to be just that, and the guy’s been gifted two excellent mentors in Ronde Barber and Dashon Goldson. Plus, rockstar general manager Mark Dominik made a very bold statement drafting Barron ahead of Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly, an absolute stud who led the NFL in tackles and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award last season. Joe can only imagine what the Bucs defense would look like with Kuechly at middle linebacker.
Barron is a quiet yet intense, football-crazed guy, almost the prototype “Buccaneer Man” under the New Schiano Order.
Everything is set up for Barron to take a giant step this season. He’s healthy, in year 2 of the Schiano defense, and the presence of Goldson frees the Bucs to use Barron in ways more suited to his strengths.
One reason Barron was drafted was to cover the athletic basketball tight ends in the modern NFL. On Sunday, he’ll get DJ Toes On The Line Kellen Winslow, followed by Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski. Joe wants to see Barron win a couple of those matchups.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:46 am
I’ve said it a thousand times right here: if Mark Barron isn’t Ed Reed/Ronnie Lott, the pick was a waste (and there were clearly other needs that should have been met).
Pedestrian safety numerbers can be had in the middle rounds of the draft.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:49 am
Last yr didnt have the type of scheme Barron excels at. Coverage has never been his strong suit and he was asked to do exactly that last year. He had some killer pass breakups while also llooking completely lost other times. The presence of Revis will allow him to fly around the field, being more active blitzing and stopping the run. Expecting big things outta this guy
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:55 am
The fact that John Lynch loves this guy says something. Barron doesn’t just tackle….he makes you know you’ve been tackled. He will be a beast once they turn him loose to do what he does best.
September 3rd, 2013 at 9:59 am
Barron will greatly improve with Goldson & Revis. I’m really looking forward to his progress. KW2 do you hear this sound? THUMP
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:00 am
Adam L is right.
Barron needs to show why he was picked before Keuchly.
I think Barron can be a game changer, we just need to see it.
Keuchly is looking like the best LB in football nowadays… Sigh.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:02 am
I didn’t like the Mark Barron pick. He struggled in coverage at Alabama, which was his weakness. So we draft him 7th overall to cover the athletic TEs in the division? LOL #Rockstar GM
In all seriousness, I had him as a 2nd round prospect who would be a good in the box safety, but there were better overall players on the board.
Barron BEST live up to his draft status. Dom can’t afford another bust.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:04 am
Bobby, I don’t like to go against Lynch’s grain of evaluation, but you have to remember, when Lynch played, the league was different. Todays game, the rules are suited to a passing league. TEs are more athletic. The only thing that pops about Mark Barron’s game is his hits.
But that doesn’t excuse the fact that earned him a top 10 grade. Drafting a safety in the top 10, you better be an elite prospect.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:05 am
Kuek is and has been over rated. There are some who are predicting him to be DPOY. It’s ridiculous the hype that guy gets. Way over rated. Barron will be just fine and I disagree that he has to be an Ed Reed type or it was a waste
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:10 am
WHY IS IT THE BUCS SOMETIMES SEEM TO HAVE TROUBLE AGAINST INEXPERIENCED QUARTERBACKS? WHAT’S EXPECTED TO BE A CAKEWALK TURNS OUT TO BE SOMETHING ELSE…….HOPE THIS IS NOT THE CASE SUNDAY WHEN MOST PEOPLE WILL PREDICT A BUCS WIN.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:17 am
“When you’re the seventh overall NFL Draft pick, as Barron was in 2012, you absolutely must become an impact player.”
I would hope that a player who is in his 5th season that was drafted 17th overall by a team that traded up to get him was already an impact player – but unfortunately JFro isn’t. If we give Freeman that many years, then it’s way too early to get in a tizzy about Barron.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:35 am
We drafted Barron out of pure need, and as such, it’s an invariable reach.
Spmething to consider though, someone has to tackle the who Foster can’t cover. He’s a huge liability in free space.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:35 am
Forget about the Barron/Kuechly comparisons. What’s done is done. Barron just needs to do his job. Nobody knows how Kuechly would have performed in Schiano’s defense or how he would have reacted to Schiano’s coaching style. Look forward.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:41 am
If my memory serves me correctly I believe we drafted a stud LB of our own last year.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:41 am
It’s difficult for a safety to live up to being drafted in the top 10. Barron may or may not become a game changer, but he should be a very good player nevertheless.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:51 am
I never liked keuchly coming out as a top `10 pick, so I’m not one who’s riding that bandwagon.
I will say I was high on Chandler Jones, Morris Claiborne and Michael Brockers. Kinda ticked we did not get Dline help and drafted a safety who’s weakness is in coverage.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:52 am
Vern,
put Lavonte David next to Keuchly, how does that add up? SICK!
Barron seems like a great player, I just hope he shows that his draft status was right on.
Dominick doesn’t look good if Keuchly outplays Barron, again.
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:52 am
I really like Barron now but when we drafted him instead of Luke I didone of the best ” nooooooooooooooo”s every. Worth an Oscar, anyway. Aside from some of the huge hits he made has has been invisible out there. Luke would have been a smarter choice of greaterneed and value in my opinion…
September 3rd, 2013 at 10:53 am
Chris,
I am curious to see what kind of a force Barron is on our defense. He can hit people and hold his own in the run game, but can he neuteralize the opposing TE?
Keuchly is a special talent, say what you will about him, but the dude might overtake Patrick Willis as “Best MLB in the game”.
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:03 am
Man, it’s ridiculously easy to play General manager after the fact. Especially when Kuechly had a great year. What if Kuechly had struggle last year? What if he’d hit that proverbial rookie wall? We wouldn’t be here saying that Barron was the wrong pick. Just like the Suh and McCoy BS.
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:03 am
SteveK
Did you watch the highlight tape for Russell Shepard? Does he look like Tavon Austin lite? I remember you we’re high on Tavon. Your opinion.
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:05 am
Did he really impress you that much last year Stevek?
I’ll admit I didnt watch to much of him but I do remember both times we played him that he was pretty much a non factor. Martin owned him quite a few times and our own LVD clearly out played him… I don’t see where this love fest is coming from.
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:39 am
“Goldson frees the Bucs to use Barron in ways more suited to his strengths.”
that is exactly the way I see it. with Goldson we can now use Barron to play inside the box more, something hes really good at. hes almost like a 4th linbacker in that he is best suited playing near the line of scrimmage and playing the underneath coverages. if used correctly he can be a really good player for us. Im sure the Bucs know how to best use him.
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:43 am
Lavonte David > Luke (jump on the pile) Keuchly
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:47 am
Our Lavonte David played better last season IMO than LK
And until age gets to him Willis will always remain the best MLB in the NFL.
September 3rd, 2013 at 12:09 pm
If you watched more than just his stat line then you would know how ridiculous this statement is.
Kuechly is good but Lavonte is better. Kuechly racked up a lot of tackles by jumping on piles last year. That is why he won DROY. The stat line.
Barron will be fine.
September 3rd, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Anyone around here like John Lynch? If so look at his stats the first 3 yrs of his career. 1 word dismal. He was a virtually a non factor until his 4th season. He did okay in his 3rd season getting 3 picks and having 27 tackles and 10 assists. Of course he only played 9 games that season. Basically his first 2 seasons nobody knew who John Lynch was. On the other hand he was drafted in the 3rd round. Sigh… season just get here already so we can stop with all this speculation and what if’s.
September 3rd, 2013 at 12:15 pm
All is forgiven, if we win and make the playoffs.
If this team fails to make the 2013 playoffs, then we will have questions.
Keuchly is a tremendous player, and well on his way to a great career. He has a headstart when compared to Barron. Let’s hope Barron can take his game to another level this year.
WCBF,
Imagine Keuchly and Davind in our LB corps.
September 3rd, 2013 at 12:44 pm
I’m not saying Kuechly isn’t a good player. I’m just saying that the Patrick Willis comment was a little ridiculous. Kuechly AND David would be nice but then who would be our SS?
September 3rd, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Barron was never a great cover corner, and Winslow will have his lunch, one on one with him.
Of course I hope we win in New York, but I have a funny feeling that Winslow may just torch us.
Let’s all hope I am wrong ….
September 3rd, 2013 at 12:53 pm
I know preseason doesn’t mean much, but Foster was really impressive game 3 against the Dolfins. I saw him defend the pass better then he ever has. Assuming Foster turns into a great MLB, then picking Barron over Luke makes very good sense.
September 3rd, 2013 at 12:53 pm
The only way Winslow will get separation from Barron or anyone for that matter is by pushing off (cheating). If Barron can’t cover no knees Winslow then I will also question the motive for taking him with the seventh pick.
September 3rd, 2013 at 12:56 pm
RBellBuc…I concur
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:05 pm
thank you Vern – “If my memory serves me correctly I believe we drafted a stud LB of our own last year.”
we can play the “shoulda, woulda, coulda” card, but if we’re not playing the Panthers in the upcoming game, I could give two sh!ts about Kuechly.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:14 pm
BTW, Goldson will take a ton of weight and scrutiny off of Barron, all while mentoring the kid… He can only get better from this. I would love to see them lite up KW. KW gets easily frustrated when things arent going his way. Take him out early….sweep the leg.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:15 pm
@Chris
Of course Barron was “never a great cover corner”…..he was never a corner.
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:17 pm
@tony
Sweep the leg, show no mercy lol
September 3rd, 2013 at 1:59 pm
“we can play the “shoulda, woulda, coulda” card, but if we’re not playing the Panthers in the upcoming game, I could give two sh!ts about Kuechly”
Completely agree. It feels like we are crying over the girl that wouldn’t go to the prom with us. Time to move and let it go. Look at life through the windshield, not the rear view mirror.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:10 pm
I know alot of people have said this, but Barron reminds me a lot of a Darren Woodson.
Like Barron will be; Darren was more affective the closer you put him to the line of scrimmage (155 tackles in his second season). You may also remember at the time Dallas was running the same defense we are running now (4-3 stunt).
They would typically utilize a combination of Darren Woodson, James Washington,Brock Marion, Thomas Everett and Kenneth Gant on a lot of backside blitzes.(under Defensive Backs Dave Campo).
Note: Last year Barron was the only safety on the Roster-All the other guys were conversions (Barber-Tandy-Black-Grimm). So who was there to really get advice from?
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:13 pm
^^^ good point … looks like the only one that may have had advice for Barron last year moved on to coach at S. Florida.
September 3rd, 2013 at 2:30 pm
@RBellBuc
Barring an injury that forces him out for any prolonged period of time. Barron should be an All-Pro this year( Just my thoughts).
Note: Our Defense should be ranked among the bottom third in third down efficiency, first downs allowed, sacks and interception percentage. All the tools are there, can’t see why not. Giving the scheme and how he will be utilized
September 3rd, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Every TE last year had their way with Barron. Barron may be a solid SS in this league, but last year, watching him play was brutal. He fails to turn his head around in the seems. QBs just picked on him because hes not a stud in coverage. I also watched many times him trying to come up to lay the wood and whiffed. It’s nice he will make his presence felt, but come up with form tackling. I hate the knock out punches, especially if you miss.
September 3rd, 2013 at 8:37 pm
“Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski. Joe wants to see Barron win a couple of those matchups.”
I don’t know Joe a lot of seasoned veterans can’t stop them. Wishful thinking though.
September 3rd, 2013 at 11:38 pm
Watched every snap he took af bama good not great. He open field tackling is horrible. Great guy good teammate roll tide but dom blew it not drafting Luke k
September 4th, 2013 at 12:39 am
Splengo,
I have not seen Russell Shepard play? Hopefully he is an explosive athlete.
Tavon Austin has some crazy talent. We will all see it soon enough.