Keeping An Eye On Peyton Barber
August 6th, 2020
Joe apologizes for the headline that is sure to send some Bucs fans into convulsions.
However, everything is on the table during a pandemic-stained, Bucs-are-all-in season.
The unnamed Washington D.C. team is overflowing with running backs, including a finally healthy Bryce Love, one of the wild cards of the 2019 NFL Draft following a stellar career at Stanford. By all reports out of Washington, former Bucs RB Peyton Barber is battling for a roster spot and may be a long shot, despite his $600,000 signing bonus in March.
Joe brings up Barber because Bucco Bruce Arians brought him up yesterday in a positive way during his news conference. Also, Arians previously has said he has a very strong preference for players he knows — and who know his system. Barber, of course, scored 7 touchdowns for Arians last season.
Once upon a time, Barber was a good special teams player for the Bucs before he was taken out of that role to protect his health as the team’s No. 1 running back. He finished the 2017 season with six tackles.
Arians also mentioned yesterday how special teams would be a big factor in his running backs depth.
LeSean McCoy won’t play special teams, and neither will Ronald Jones. That leaves returning special teams captain Dare Ogunbowale, plus returner hopeful T.J. Logan and a couple of rookies who currently are in the COVID-19 protocol.
Joe could see Barber getting launched and catching the eye of Arians as a valuable depth piece in an unprecedented season.
Remember, the 2019 Bucs special teams ranked dead last in the annual, respected and data-driven special teams analysis by Rick Gosselin.
August 6th, 2020 at 10:11 am
Special teams dead last and lead the league in penalties. Even good teams can’t overcome those stats. Along with a Qb who had 35 turnovers.
August 6th, 2020 at 10:17 am
Depth piece and special teamer…yes. Average RB that might take carries away from “2021 pro bowler” Ronald Jones…then no.
August 6th, 2020 at 10:28 am
It’s a good year to have plug and play guys. I could see it. I’d rather we were discussing DL depth, though.
August 6th, 2020 at 10:55 am
It just keeps getting better and better. ST’s one of our genuine weaknesses needs to be addressed. Barber has shown his ability on ST’s…if he’ll come here to primarily help build our ST’s and be a backup RB that would be terrific.
When we get to refining things like ST’s we’re getting a championship caliber team together…one that is truly balanced.
Does anybody here want to go out on a limb and say which side of the ball will be better for the Bucs? Offense? Defense? Obviously the Offense has the GOAT…two HOFers and perhaps two more…they are the preseason darlings.
But this defense is just as exciting for me. I think D White blows up this year…LVD with him…then there is Vita Vea…with all of our TV games he’s going to get his share of pub as well and if BA lets TB12 toss Vea another TD his spokesperson value would shoot through the roof.
So what say ye guys? Which will be better our….Offense? Defense? TIE?
August 6th, 2020 at 11:21 am
Special Teams.
August 6th, 2020 at 12:04 pm
Nothing is certain yet.
August 6th, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Arians said that Ronald Jones is the No. 1 back, Joe. So it turns out signing your guy meant nothing where Jones is concerned.
You obviously have not been paying attention to Joe, or to Arians. –Joe
August 6th, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Bonsai I dont think anybody, including Joe, believed Shady was brought in to be a 3-down back. But McCoy can surely have a role and be a big factor for the offense relieving RoJo on passing downs.
I read Joe’s article yesterday with comments from McCoy and he didnt even talk about running the ball. All he talked about was catching. I think its obvisous he was only brought in play the pass catching role……Sure he may get a heavy workload for a random game or two but we probably got some real problems at the RB position if Shady is toting the rock 20+ times game after game.
August 7th, 2020 at 2:32 am
I know that Arians likes guys that he is familiar with, but there should be guys at home with more talent than Barber. He is not a good player and unless one of our rookie backs fails to make the team, I wouldn’t even consider bringing him back.
August 7th, 2020 at 11:49 pm
Derrius Guice cut. Barber is a lock.