“He’s Better At Everything Than You Think That He Is”
August 12th, 2018
What could be more fun and interesting for a guy like Joe than getting quotes from a hidden Dirk Koetter conversation.
Well, Joe can think of a lot of things, but that’s not the point here.
Before every NFL preseason game, the TV broadcast crews of those game sit down for a chat with the head coaches. That helps them fill the broadcast with knowledge (hopefully) and insider insight.
Ronde Barber calls the Bucs preseason games with Chris Myers and Barber shared many goodies from his pregame chats with Koetter and other Bucs. But one was extremely memorable because Barber claimed it was a direct quote and gave a bit of a dramatic reading of it on the WFLA-TV, Ch. 8, broadcast.
The topic was Peyton Barber and Koetter’s deep admiration for his top-dog back.
“I loved what Coach Dirk Koetter told us about Peyton Barber this morning when we sat down with him. And I quote; he said, ‘every time you underestimate him, he exceeds. He’s better at everything than you think that he is,'” Barber said. “I love that he has that confidence in this kid. He’ll be your starting running back this year, I think.”
This deep Barber love doesn’t surprise Joe. The guy proved himself last season and Koetter is a loyal guy. Remember, and don’t ever forget, Koetter believed Doug Martin was his best running back for many, many weeks last year. So consider how good Koetter must consider Barber to be after Barber outplayed Martin by a mile.
Heck, Joe’s been typing on these pages for months (and has taken a beating for it) that rookie Ronald Jones should expect to get maybe 10 carries a game, assuming no injuries to the running backs corps.
That will be the case until Jones proves he deserves more.
August 12th, 2018 at 10:54 am
I don’t buy it, but I’m hoping the offensive line can open up some holes and make him look good.
August 12th, 2018 at 10:56 am
The great Rhonde Barber did a great job broadcasting last Thurs!!!!!!!! basically saying that this coaching staff has developed Pheyton Barber into a complete running back!!!!!!! And Joe, know what will help rookie Ronald Jones get more playing time, Either start excelling at pass-protection which Head Coach Dirk Koetter had said that there were 3 really good pick ups!!!!!! Or that the O-line Really gels and locks down the pass rush for the season, so that pass-pro from the RB is not as important as it was in 2017 when pressure was a constant!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 12th, 2018 at 10:59 am
I agree with the comment and think Barber has been underrated. I think he will blossom this year. Perhaps Jones too. Glad to have both on our team.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:02 am
It’s commendable thing to be loyal. But when you are a real NFL coach, you have to put loyalty aside and play the best players. DK’s loyalty to people like press box Smitty are gonna be his (and our) downfall.
Joe has said numerous times what a great guy and straight shooter DK is. Maybe so, but if he lets his friendships and loyalties get in the way he should be out the door. I say should because who knows what the Glazer boys will do.
Their real interest is Man U. They treat the Bucs like one of those ant farms you had as a kid. cool to look at every once in a while and see what those crazy ants have done. And dress the ants in really ugly uniforms.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:13 am
Barber is a backup at best. Compare him to Gurley, Barkley, Zeek. That’s what we need. No backup.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:15 am
You have to like Barber’s tenacity. Koetter likes guys that tough it out like he has and work hard to get there. These are the things that make you pull for guys and want them to succeed. I like the way he rarely gets caught behind the line of scrimmage and he always falls forward for extra yards. Tough runner.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:19 am
I appreciate the love and hopeful expectations for Peyton Barber….but we didn’t draft a running back high in the second round because we were convinced Barber would be our bell cow….
I’d like to think that both can do well and compliment each other. How ’bout let’s get really creative and have a 2-back set once in a while.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:30 am
With a better Oline now and a full training camp as the #1 guy he should break 1000 this year. ROJO will be fine as the season goes on. Hes not a dummy by any means, not like Nicholson. Now the real question is, what rd. Would you draft Barber in a PPR league?
August 12th, 2018 at 11:35 am
Man I’m never disappointed about how “tough” this crowd is.
So Payton Barber is “a backup at best”. Think about what this comment is saying. At best Barber will at least make the team…and again that’s the BEST he has to offer even though he’s already done that his first two years.
And for proof…let’s compare a UDFA to the 2nd overall pick in the draft…a 4th overall pick and a 10th overall pick. Geez you left out Leveon Bell!!!
This is like saying…Jameis Winston is a backup at best by comparing him to Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees.
IMHO the verdict is still very much out on both Barber and Fameis and this year will probably tell the tale. I can easily imagine them both being very successful so if you don’t mind I’m rooting for both Barber and Fameis. Git er done guys.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:44 am
I think part of the reason they targeted Rojo is because his skills are very different than – and thus complementary to Barber’s.
Rojo = Yin / Barber = Yang
Dash and Smash
Barber has the obvious advantage because he’s been here for 2 years and has really applied himself. Peyton knows the playbook and his responsibilities on each play inside and out.
Rojo however has legit late 1st early 2nd round talent. At some point sooner than later – Jones will pop off a 60 yard TD run and remind us all why he is here and why he deserves as many snaps as Bucs coaches think they can trust him with so early in his career while he’s still learning his responsibilities.
August 12th, 2018 at 12:18 pm
I say this as an Alabama fan, not an Auburn, the kid was something special when he was playing college ball. I, like many others was surprised he did not get drafted in middle rounds. He had two years remaining eligibility remaining but decide to leave early to help out his family. I think his 4.6 times hurt him but at 5.11 and 230 this it not so bad. If he was 10 lbs lighter he would have had a better 40 and would have been drafted. The kid looks faster this year and I think with him trimming his body, it will make a difference. I hope he proves everyone wrong.
August 12th, 2018 at 12:28 pm
@Tampabaybucfan
Lynch drafted a running back high because Barber wasn’t given the opportunity to shine until late in the season. Lynch had no choice but to draft a running back high this year, just in case Barber turns out to be a fluke. We can thank Koetter for keeping Doug Martin as a the lead most of the season. I doubt Koetter makes the same mistake with Rojo and Barber.
August 12th, 2018 at 1:46 pm
@Alabama
I suspect you mean Licht….and that is essentially what I was saying….we drafted a RB high because we were uncertain about Barber going forward…..If we were certain about him, there were many RBs available later in the draft or FA RBs we could have brought in.
August 12th, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Still have no yet seen Shaun Wilson play…he can catch and run
August 12th, 2018 at 2:00 pm
Completely agree TBBF. If we wasted a 2nd round pick on a future back up RB we wasted that pick. I will say that while ROJO is quick, he looks very small out there. Really wish Chubb had dropped to us. Not sold at all on ROJO being a successful back in this league. I hope I am wrong though.
August 12th, 2018 at 2:40 pm
How would you know?
August 12th, 2018 at 2:43 pm
Know what? If you are talking about run and catch …yes he can
August 12th, 2018 at 2:48 pm
If Barber is so good then why spend a 2nd rounder a RB when the team desperately needs another S and help on the o-line? I was perfectly fine with Barber being the RB1 this year, I don’t think he’ll be great, or even good, but he can be an average back and in this offense, that should be good enough. Meanwhile you have Chris Conte and Ryan Smith starting….
August 12th, 2018 at 2:49 pm
404BUC you bash barber by comparing him to the league elite? How many teams have those guys? And which of those teams go 4 deep at WR with a Brate OJ TE combo?
August 12th, 2018 at 3:30 pm
I think another guy that everyone is completely over looking as a threat to unseat the starter is Ryan Griffin. I know….I know, it was one pre season game. But his poise, his timing, his accuracy, ball placement were a thing of beauty. As seasoned as Ryan Fitzpatrick is and knowing that Jameis cannot play the first three weeks I would LOVE to see Griffin get some time with the ones the next two preseason games.
Don’t forget Griffin was plucked off waivers from New Orleans years back. Sean Payton obviously saw something there as well. What better motivation than to face the team where you came from. He may be a better option to win those first three tough games. We all know the defense wont do anything positive.
I know this was off topic but somewhat related as far as a player with something to prove.
August 12th, 2018 at 3:31 pm
On topic I think Barber not only will be good, but if he is given 20 carries a game I see him being a top ten back this year easily. The dude is a work horse. Reminds me of Frank Gore.
August 12th, 2018 at 3:54 pm
Barber is a volume runner, he gets better as the game goes on. We haven’t had a chance to see him start to finish, he is a finisher. He’s a lot better than average.
August 12th, 2018 at 4:06 pm
@BucEmUp
I don’t think Griffin will unseat Fitz but it sure makes me more comfortable going forward to see that he can perform.
He may very well be our primary backup going forward.
I must admit that I have posted several times that it seems like we were wasting a roster spot on him because he continued to be third string…..I was probably wrong about that (not alone)….but we really haven’t seen much of him. I’m looking forward to more preseason exposure for Griffin.
August 12th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
TBBF … Griffin surprised me too Thursday night, but I’d really like to see how he does with the One’s. Kept hearing the announcers say that he’s very accurate & throws a great ball IF he gets a chance to set his back foot (and Thurs night he was able to get set on almost every throw that he made). But it’s those OTHER times (like when he has to avoid pressure & throw on the run?) that really makes or breaks a good QB IMO. Especially one who plays for the Bucs.
August 12th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Not to knock ROJO at all but I think we wasted a pick at 2. I don’t think he is as versatile as Barber and with all the Receiving weapons we have a serviceable running game will do.
Hopefully I am wrong tho.
August 12th, 2018 at 5:07 pm
ROJOs hands have definitely been a disappointment so far.
Hopefully that changes, otherwise we’re stuck telegraphing a run play every time he’s in the game.
August 12th, 2018 at 5:15 pm
@Defense
Yes, he had time as did all our QBs……..I was extremely impressed with a couple of our backup Olinemen……I’m sure Joe will be on that subject at some point.
That would be fantastic if we can develop some depth there.
SB
Too early to determine if Rojo is a wasted pick (I don’t think so) and I don’t believe it telegraphs a run play at all….with all our weapons at TE & WR….I don’t think our offense should run if the D is playing for run.
One missed catch doesn’t end a career.
August 12th, 2018 at 5:21 pm
TBBF I am fully aware that it is too early to give up on ROJO and I haven’t in any way. I am just one that believed that our run game stunk because of DM and OL and was never really that interested in a top tier RB. With the Receivers we possess an elite RB is a luxury. How many teams not named Pittsburgh have a WR corps and top RB?
August 12th, 2018 at 6:49 pm
SB
I’m actually pretty happy with our Offense (except Oline depth)….hopefully, that will be shored up….we have 6.5 of Sweezy money that we could use on Oline or CB….
The Defense looks pretty good on paper even including our young DBs….we’ll see how it performs.
Except for Barkley, I think we got one of the best backs…
August 12th, 2018 at 6:55 pm
You didn’t draft a RB in the 2nd to be a back up. It is a disappointment he didn’t win the starting job. He looks slow out there.
Another Licht special.
August 12th, 2018 at 6:59 pm
Jones just needs to find open field a few plays per game and we’re golden. 10 good carries each game will be great if they’re productive. Jones appears to need a lot of practice running between the tackles. It’s all about the blocks and timing.
August 12th, 2018 at 7:03 pm
A second round pick rookie that starts the very first preseason game, says more about the “roster” than the pick itself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 12th, 2018 at 7:22 pm
Seems like every back drafted is flashing except ours
August 12th, 2018 at 7:26 pm
‘Joe Says:
August 12th, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Still have no yet seen Shaun Wilson play…he can catch and run.
How would you know?’
________________________________________________________
Doh!!
August 12th, 2018 at 8:18 pm
I saw ROJO catch a few passes in college. Sounds like he didn’t do a lot of it but the replays I watched he did with ease. I’m thinking he just needs to get more comfortable. I think it will likely be mid season when we start to see him break out a little bit but I don’t see him ever being the bell cow. Hopefully he evolves into something really dangerous like Kamara. Just his knowledge of the playbook and the comfort level.
Realist…..funny how quickly and well this team can develop Barber into a talented dependable young running back but can’t do the same with the secondary positions huh? Oh wait….
August 12th, 2018 at 8:44 pm
Why did Cowboys draft Bo Scarborough, why did Saints draft Kamara, why did the Vikes draft Cook, because you need more than 1back, if Barber goes down then what. This is just like the trade D-Jax crowd, get rid of Jameis crowd, you keep players because of depth, if Evans goes down, and you trade D-Jax, you good with Hump and Godwin, I’m not and I doubt that Jason Licht is. Wake up Buc s fan
August 12th, 2018 at 9:00 pm
Ronald Jones has moves but if he can’t catch and can’t block, what good is he really? We shall see.
August 12th, 2018 at 11:06 pm
Watching McPlaybook tear it up for the 49ers. He was too stupid to learn the playbook and thought he was too good to play on our practice squad, what ya gonna do?
August 12th, 2018 at 11:21 pm
I hate to be a downer but our running game isn’t a top 25 running game.
August 13th, 2018 at 9:25 am
Barber earned the right to carry the load with his performance at the end of last season. Credit where it’s due- the kid has put in the work and the staff has developed him into a trustworthy commodity that can move the chains, pass protect and limit turnovers. Right now, he’s a much better player than RoJo, who was a little timid-looking out there the other night.
August 13th, 2018 at 2:54 pm
I see Peyton Barber as an Earnest Graham type. An UFA who develops into a solid player who can get you 4 ypc and 1000 a season.
August 13th, 2018 at 2:59 pm
Barber is a running back that won’t wow you with long runs but he moves the chains and gives you manageable 3rd downs. Time of possession is the key for us to be competitive best defense is no allowing the others offense on the field and Barber can do that for us.
August 13th, 2018 at 6:02 pm
I think close 10 carries a game is perfect! He’s our change of pace homerun hitter just like Nola’s Alvin Kamara.