Did Lovie Send A Message To Mark Barron?
August 24th, 2014
In Lovie Smith’s official “dress rehearsal” for the 2014 season yesterday, Lovie trotted out second-year safety Bradley McDougald, an undrafted Dominik-Schiano pickup last year, as the starter at strong safety alongside Dashon Goldson.
No, Mark Barron wasn’t hurt. And Joe, with his own eyes in Buffalo, saw McDougald working with the first team in pregame warmups.
This was very surprising and Joe’s wondering whether Lovie was sending some sort of message to Barron. Throughout last week, Lovie told media that when, where and how much guys play against Buffalo will reveal an awful lot about what Lovie thinks of them and their roster status.
So what did getting stripped of a starting nod mean for Barron?
Joe’s not sure. Barron played in the first quarter, and McDougald injured his knee in the game. Lovie offered a terse reaction comment after the game.
“We wanted to look at something else. For the most part, Mark Barron is a good football player,” Lovie said.
That response surely left plenty to read between the lines, for those who like to engage in such activities.
Goldson told Joe after the game that McDougald, “B-Mac” as he’s known by teammates, didn’t come out of nowhere.
“Bmac, Bradley been doing a good job all through OTAs, through training camp. He’s been making strides and making plays. His name has been brought up all throughout camp,” Goldson said. “He’s making noise. He’s a young guy with talent and a bright future. Coaches like him. He’s been highlighted. It was good. He came in and started the game off and did a good job. Like I said, he’s pretty good.”
Again, it’s unclear whether yesterday’s decision to start McDougald was anything more than rewarding a rising young player. Unfortunately, McDougald hurt his knee, which further clouds the picture.
August 24th, 2014 at 11:07 am
Perhaps there is a potential trade involving Barron for a Guard…..now that “B-mac” is injured…perhaps that is off the table…..we will see…..maybe Barron just needed to be sent a message….
August 24th, 2014 at 11:11 am
Barron might be a good football player, but he’s most likely never going to play like a top ten draft pick. Either has that corner Claiborne that I thought we were going to pick. Barron to me just doesn’t have that elite safety instinct to make big plays yet. He is still young so he has that going for him.
August 24th, 2014 at 11:28 am
I think this is just a disciplinary action..perhaps he was somehow involved with the Casillas thing.
August 24th, 2014 at 11:52 am
There maybe no room for B-Mac on the 53 man roster and Lovie was letting him get some first team reps to audition his skills to other teams. Joe see’s cup half empty like always. Barron ain’t going nowhere.
August 24th, 2014 at 11:59 am
I would say “For the most part” “he’s pretty good”, and a message has been sent.
About as opposite of a superlative as you can get, and now has been written.
August 24th, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Audition? Yeah, that makes perfect sense. That is probably why Lovie played Meredith at RG against the Jags – so he could audition for backup tackle. There is going to be 20+ players cut this week, wonder why Lovie did not ‘audition’ all of them?
August 24th, 2014 at 12:30 pm
Indeed a message has been sent. For what reason? Hard to say. The “Football player” qualifier leads me to believe it’s play related. Is he missing too many assignments? Not playing hard enough? Moping around?
I’m hoping more details come out.
August 24th, 2014 at 12:42 pm
@Harry
Being sarcastic seems to be your modus operandi. Why is it so hard to fathom an audition, gain more exposure with the first team, while they use him in a possible later trade? I’m just speculating like everyone else, difference is I like to stay positive instead of going negative like your stinkin’ @ss all the time.
August 24th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
As I’ve said before. Barron has no coverage ability at all. Watch any of his tape.
He can’t cover a yard Gnome.
I said when Lovie got here- Barron and Foster might be in big trouble. Foster to a lesser degree- although he struggled again in deep coverage- as Ronde pointed out.
Goldsen is a great safety. He’s like a faster Barrin, with elite coverage skills.
Barron can’t cover. He’s to small to move to LB- and even there his cover skills are inferior.
Thanks Dom.
August 24th, 2014 at 1:14 pm
Baron isn’t great in coverage.
August 24th, 2014 at 1:56 pm
Good call Capt Tim.
Barron was MIA in pass coverage since he has been here… kind of important in a pass happy division.
August 24th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
Capt, I’d argue that he covered Jimmy Graham fairly well. Gargantuan tight ends that can run like that are why he was drafted.
Watch the game film.
August 24th, 2014 at 2:09 pm
@SAMCRO Says:
“… Joe see’s cup half empty like always…” + “…difference is I like to stay positive…”
Really? I have to say, I have made a point of not making insulting or negative comments. So I don’t know what you are talking about. But you seem to take shots at people all the time – like the unnecessary one here at Joe. I have seen Joe delete you comments at times. So I just could not resist pointing out your dumb remark. If you don’t want nasty comments directed at you, maybe you should do the same
August 24th, 2014 at 2:09 pm
“This was very surprising and Joe’s wondering whether Lovie was sending some sort of message to Barron. Throughout last week, Lovie told media that when, where and how much guys play against Buffalo will reveal an awful lot about what Lovie thinks of them and their roster status.” – Joe
He also said through last week that preseason was more about evaluation of players, and there were several he wanted to get into a starting role so they could see how they handle it.
That’s all this is. After all, any backup is a potential starter.
Mark Baron is safe. Frankly, I do not see a point to trying to create controversy.
August 24th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Capt.Tim,back from Davie Jones’s Locker Says
“As I’ve said before. Barron has no coverage ability at all.”
You were wrong. Sorry.
August 24th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Joseph Mamma Says
“Barron might be a good football player, but he’s most likely never going to play like a top ten draft pick.”
I disagree. But really, does he need to? Think back to the last successful era of the Bucs defense. Who played opposite John Lynch?
We went thru a bunch of guys…and Baron is better than any of them were, with the exception of MAYBE one (so far).
This is a molehill being made into a mountain.
August 24th, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Bonzai,
A little off topic, but I was curious, are you feeling better about us picking McCown over Schaub now? I remember you liked Schaub when the Bucs were looking for a QB. Through three preseason games, Schaub is 24-of-47 for 218 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
Like I said, just curious… I am more than happy with McCown. I think he is going to have a good year if our Gs don’t get him killed.
August 24th, 2014 at 2:51 pm
I would agree Barron doesn’t have premium pass coverage skills but he can still make open field tackles. He is the best strong safety we have right now.
August 24th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
My initial thought is he may be getting traded…
August 24th, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Had the bucs got matt schaub I would not be watching any bucs games this season….thank you god!!!
August 24th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Why are we talking about this? Because it’s August or what???
It’s Lovie’s decision and no one knows the reasoning but you can’t argue with the results. BMac is hurt now but based on the feedback provided by Goldson he has potential to stay around next year.
Nothing related to Barron job security!
August 24th, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Alex Boone is still available, but since the 69ers signed Bethea in the off-season for a 4 year 24 mil deal I kinda doubt they would bring in Barron as well.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:25 pm
Nah, no reason to wonder why a seventh-overall draft pick who has yet to live up to his draft status was benched. No, you stupid Bucs fans, there is no need to know, you saps who shell out hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year for tickets, and you other mopes who shell out hundreds for NFL Sunday Ticket. Happens all the time that top-ten draft picks are benched by a new coach. Nothing to look at here. Turn the page.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:28 pm
When the last regime drafted Barron they should have known he had no pass coverage ability but still drafted him and passed on Luke Kuechly.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
Rotf
@joe – there is nothing to see here
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5NNOrp_83RU
August 24th, 2014 at 3:38 pm
@Harry
I think that you and I should meet to settle our differences, settle things like men.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Been saying it for YEARS…
If Mark Barron isn’t Ronnie Lott/Ed Reed – he’s a bust. A wasted top 10 pick.
Then again, of all of Dominik’s picks, he found exactly Two players.
August 24th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Joe
Yeah- you said it all.
I think a looming trade is a possibility. Barron might flourish in a defense like Pittsburgh- where one safety is always used as an in the box run stopper.
I think Lovie has made it Clear that he loves Goldson, who is a great Strong Safety for Lovie/Leslie’s defense. We need a free safety. Barron is a more limited version of Goldson.
August 24th, 2014 at 5:38 pm
Barron isn’t going anywhere. He had a great camp and may be the hardest tackler on the team pound for pound.
August 24th, 2014 at 5:55 pm
Both ESPN and the Tampa Bay Times reported Saturday that Barron was sat out the opening series as discipline for violating team rules.
Both unsourced. –Joe
August 24th, 2014 at 8:48 pm
Unsourced doesn’t mean untrue.
August 24th, 2014 at 9:56 pm
@SAMCRO Says:
“I think that you and I should meet to settle our differences, settle things like men.”
Anytime you like dipstick
August 25th, 2014 at 1:47 am
Joe, I seem to recall some wise and well informed poster who predicted this-the day after Capt. Too Slow was drafted……wonder whom that might have been?
August 25th, 2014 at 1:50 am
Fly:
Welcome back, man! Long time no hear. Hope all is biting well in the flats.
Gee, wonder who that poster may have been? 🙂
Don’t be such a stranger.
August 25th, 2014 at 1:53 am
Joe, I seem to recall a well connected poster who said this would happen-the day after Capt. Too Slow was drafted. I wonder who told you that?
August 25th, 2014 at 1:55 am
Actually, things are going well, except for the torn Achilles and The U starting a true freshman thing….