A Fourth-Down Call
March 17th, 2019
Joe wrote recently about Bucco Bruce Arians’ desire to get a heck of a lot better on special teams, a weakness of the team over the past two seasons.
That doesn’t account for the Cairo Santos re-signing, though Joe still expects competition at kicker. It does, however, seem to be a big part of the signing of LB/DE Shaq Barrett last week.
Barrett blocked a couple of kicks for the Broncos last season — plus some in past years. And while he hasn’t been among the top-100 special teams tacklers in the NFL in recent years, he will play special teams and play them well.
On good teams, depth players like Barrett at linebacker and defensive end have to be effective on special teams, and the Bucs certainly were lacking there on the defensive line.
The more Joe looks into Barrett the defensive player, the more Joe finds a strong guy who plays the run better than the pass. He’s got quickness to him, so Joe’s going to think of Barrett as a better version of Will Gholston who can’t play inside like the 2013 Bucs’ fourth-round pick does.
Joe went back to watch Broncos games yesterday and Barrett at least looks like a rather smart player and his speed shows up, but Joe can’t call the guy special. That’s no knock; he’s had a heck of a career as an undrafted free agent.
For more on Barrett you can read this neat feature on him in the Baltimore Sun. His dad was a youth football coach and Barrett, 26, is a big family guy with three kids.
March 17th, 2019 at 10:10 am
Good. Our ST need as much help as they can get. Since 2016, our Special Teams havent necessarily been too “special”…
March 17th, 2019 at 10:10 am
Really curious what he does with this opportunity. After not getting much playing time behind two guys named Bradley Chubb and Von Miller, know he’s hungry for the chance to show what he can do. Really like these type of low risk/high reward FA signings personally.
March 17th, 2019 at 10:37 am
Bucs have had the worst special teams in the NFL over the last five years by a large margin.
March 17th, 2019 at 10:42 am
He has perfect size for an outside LB in a 3-4. Having played a lot of Special Teams I am sure he is a good tackler too which is key to holding the perimeter against runs too. He has to be both fast and quick to block multiple kicks. It will take some time to develop Noah Spence as a natural outside LB in a 3-4 so it was smart to sign Barrett. You have to cheer for an undrafted Free Agent to reach his dream of starting for an NFL Team! Welcome Barrett!
March 17th, 2019 at 11:08 am
Let’s see what Santos does with a different holder. I may be wrong, but it seemed like no K did well with Anger as the holder.
March 17th, 2019 at 11:21 am
Mod, I’m with you on that…Anger has been killing Bucs K’s, left & right.
Was not surprised at all to see Anger let go, after BA signed a Kicking Coach – Guru. His leg was AVG at best & his holding sucked!
March 17th, 2019 at 11:50 am
Barrett will end up being a starter for us. He has made the most of his few opportunities in Denver, and clearly stated he came to Tampa bcuz we run 3-4 and he wants to start. Love this signing, the kid is just waiting to break out. Might not be a 10 sack guy, but he’ll give us 7 or 8 sacks.
March 17th, 2019 at 11:53 am
Agree, Shaq is coming here to prove he’s a legit starter. He should thrive in Bowles’ defense. He was a fan favorite in Denver. Great signing.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
Careful now guys……. Joe does not buy into the argument that Anger literally had a hand in all of our PK woes.
The exception being Aguayo who was just a head case.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:58 pm
Good news on our new punter……while holding for Robbie Gould…..Gould made 75 out of 78 FGs…….so, holding should be a strong suit for Pinion.
March 17th, 2019 at 1:22 pm
I keep waiting to hear if any teams are looking at AAF kickers. They get a lot of practice. I looked at the league stats. Although most haven’t attempted anything over 49 yards, with the exception N Folk, most haven’t even missed a kick yet. Whether they have a big enough leg for the NFL, I don’t know. But it seems like NFL kickers can’t kick XP’s, and these AAF guys are solid from that range. I would also assume they’d be dirt cheap.
March 17th, 2019 at 2:00 pm
The kind of money he got suggests he’s a little more than a backup and speciAl reamer. .. Although ad a rush linebacker maybe he is rotated in with jpp and nassib so tecynically he wouldn’t be a starter..
March 17th, 2019 at 3:54 pm
They type of money he is paid has no bearing on whether or not he is a starter. The best players will start, and unless we swing a trade for Von Miller or something he will be one of our starters.
March 17th, 2019 at 4:11 pm
Remember….we will likely have 4 LBs…..but even if 3……Barrett probably starts with LVD & our new MLB, Devin White……or…..our trade down, Devin Bush….or maybe a very healthy, hungry Kevin Beckwith (not likely, but hopeful)
March 17th, 2019 at 4:12 pm
Kendall Beckwith…..sorry
March 17th, 2019 at 10:20 pm
Anybody eles feel like this guy is Kwon but smarter and more well spokeken?
Its beenna while since I have posted on bere but I had to say that!!!