Mark Barron Has Arrived
December 12th, 2013
Bucs safety Mark Barron is all alone in one specific defensive statistical category.
Many Bucs fans howled in protest when Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik passed on drafting cornerback Mo Claiborne in the 2012 draft, only to trade down and select safety Mark Barron.
After a shaky start to his NFL career, though showing moments of promise (just ask Robert Griffin, III), many Bucs fans shook their heads and taunted Dominik for what they perceived as a bad pick.
Well, that pick is looking solid right now. Entering Sunday’s game against the 49ers, Mark Barron is the lone defensive back in the NFL with at least 80 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions.
Sounds like Barron has arrived, no? It is pretty obvious Barron may be a solid safety when it comes to defending the run. The guy just races through bodies to stick people (but not too hard for fear of the dreaded yellow hankie).
While Barron is really good against the run, if he could improve his pass defense just a little bit, he could be one of the best safeties in the game.
December 12th, 2013 at 7:11 pm
This Buc fan was not clamoring for Mo Claibourne.
I was on the T-Rich train, just in spite of Claibourne.
My power went out during that draft, and I was ecstatic to turn on the radio in my are to hear we traded back and got Barron.
Who knows if Keuchly will be better, but Barron could be a great player in his own right.
I am pleased that our team has won 4 out of 5 games, we are headed in the right direction. We just need to stay the course.
December 12th, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Hey Jerry Jones and the Cowsheep – how do you like those sour grapes? You claimed you wanted Claiborne all along but deep down you wanted Barron and he is playing great ball when your sexy CB pick is trying to “ice up son”.
Memo to the giants as well how about that RB situation again?
December 12th, 2013 at 7:24 pm
Joe he is one of the best – fact. Just we don’t appreciate it here.
December 12th, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Schiano should get another year simply on the massive improvement in terms of drafting since he came on board.
December 12th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
There was a certain website around these parts that desperately wanted Morris Claibourne, so much so that the writers went into a meltdown when Dominik took Barron instead. Anyone remember what website that was?
December 12th, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Reflection on in Article you wrote @ the beginning of the season Joe
-Barron Must Live Up To Draft Status-
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=95060
“LUVMYBUCS Says:
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? ”
…………….
LUVMYBUCS Says:
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
December 12th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
@Architek
Not sure how the Cowboys could’ve wanted Barron all along, because they traded up in front of us to grab Claiborne. They thought we were gonna select Claiborne so they traded in front of us, all the way up from 14 to 6 in a trade with the Rams, to prevent it. We picked 7th and took Barron. If they really wanted Barron why didn’t they draft him in front of us?
If anything at all, you could actually argue that the Bucs thought they could trade back and still get Claiborne and when Dallas jumped in front and nabbed Claiborne they had to settle for their second choice in Barron. Not saying that’s what happened, because I believe we wanted Barron all along, but the possibility is there.
December 12th, 2013 at 8:01 pm
Joe. Please stop giving Dominick credit for any draft picks after Schiano/Davis arrived.
December 12th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
If this coaching staff is still here. Please someone call Coach Dave Campo. He’s currently Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs Coach at Kansas. He would make a great addition as a safeties coach-(ref.-James Washington SS-Darren Woodson SS-Bill Bates SS-Thomas Everett FS-Brock Marion FS-Kenneth Gant FS/CB)
LUVMYBUCS Says:
February 1st, 2013 at 6:33 pm
Dallas Cowboys/Canes
Dave Wannstedt: Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (1989-92)
Butch Davis: Defensive Line (1989-92); Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (1993); Defensive Coordinator (1994)
Dave Campo: Defensive Assistant (1989-90); Defensive Backs (1991-94); Defensive Coordinator (1995-99); Secondary (2008-2011)
Somewhere Jimmy Johnson is smiling!
December 12th, 2013 at 8:02 pm
The comments on these posts are delicious. But not as good as the actual first link lol.
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=65576
https://www.joebucsfan.com/?p=65570
December 12th, 2013 at 8:47 pm
bucs will learn a lot this weekend and the next two games qb defensive line and maybe who will be the next coach
December 12th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
I think this coaching staff is a joke and if kept for another year you guys will be crying so soak up this bullshiiiiit about this qb and next year will be even worse you will see
December 12th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
The joke is the NFLPA’s smoking gun that Schiano was the leak in Freeman’s case or various media outlets insisting Schiano lost the Buccaneers locker room with his autocratic style…now those were some pretty good jokes.
December 12th, 2013 at 9:48 pm
There used to be a guy named Tony on these boards. Does anyone remember That Guy?
December 12th, 2013 at 9:50 pm
Hey chickster…Go Bucs!
December 12th, 2013 at 10:09 pm
[So now Joe knows who that guy is who is trying to cause a stir using multiple usernames. Nice try, pal. Does the following sound familiar? “F Revis and f the Jets. Draft Des Trufant and let the Jets deal with the last year of their headcase’s contract.” Joe can play the same game. 🙂 — Joe]
December 12th, 2013 at 11:14 pm
It’s an even better pick when you think he skipped on Kuechly there too so that he could pick Doug Martin at the end of the first and Lavonte David in the second. Best draft for the bucs in a long long time
December 13th, 2013 at 12:05 am
@ that guy : those are classic. Hated Dominik for the picks. Now some don’t want to give him credit. Everyone should read how Dominik got played…joe I know you like dom know though
December 13th, 2013 at 2:17 am
@ Architek
“Hey Jerry Jones and the Cowsheep – how do you like those sour grapes? You claimed you wanted Claiborne all along but deep down you wanted Barron and he is playing great ball when your sexy CB pick is trying to “ice up son”.
Memo to the giants as well how about that RB situation again?”
Let’s not raise the ire of the football gods. I’ve always been proud of the fact that Bucs fans seamed to have way more class than other fan bases (especially Steeler fans). Besides, with our record we can’t really be calling others out. Just a thought.
December 13th, 2013 at 8:34 am
I don’t see him getting fooled by run fakes and vacating his zone as much as he used to.
December 13th, 2013 at 10:29 am
I was not a fan of the Barron pick.
I’m STILL not a fan of the Barron pick.
The #7 pick in the draft needs to be a game changer. Barron is just a safety. Unless Barron turns out to be a Hall of Famer, the pick was a reach because his production could have VERY easily been duplicated elsewhere.
No one “game plans” for Barron.
But, yet again, Joe is forcing his Rubber Stamp on these players as he has done for the past 3 weeks. GMC is “elite.” Banks is “elite.” Barron has “Arrived.”
Funny, by Joe’s estimation the Bucs have put together an above average component at each level of the Defense.
…funny how all these labels don’t amount to wins.
December 13th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
@Adam L…….you may be the most clueless poster here. You demonstrate a very low football IQ whenever you post.
December 13th, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Wow! Reading these posts I sometimes wonder if the posters are Bucs fans at all. I mean this isn’t fantasy football where every player is a pro bowler coming out of college. And, Dom is not the only GM who misses on occasion. There’s like 31 others!!!
Like it or not, this team has quietly put together some real nice pieces. It’s not complete yet but getting there. I think with some experience and an addition or two on defense we could be looking at a top-tier D.
December 13th, 2013 at 2:14 pm
I wanted Claiborne. For good reason. We didn’t draft him, and finished last in pass defense. A few yards from being the worst pass defense in history. Sure needed a cornerback
Barron is a great hitter, and great at run defense! He still struggles in coverage. Adding him to the leagues worst pass defense made no sense.
This year- we finally addressed our coverage defense, with the best CB in the league(best defensive player in the league!), and Banks. Barron is playing great in the box- still not great in coverage- but improving.
Still odd to me, that we have 2 strong safeties- and no legit Free safety. But it’s showed signs of really working. Plus we can stuff the run really well.
Without the addition of Revis- Barron’s struggles in coverage might be an issue.
But it takes most young players a few years to really understand NFL play.
Barron is improving- and may well improve coverage skills- to match his great run support
December 13th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
@ Capt Tim:
Earl Thomas, regarded as probably the best DS in the NFL has 7 passes defended. Watch our game against them and see that even the best lose a battle in coverage. Barron has 5 this year. I just don’t believe what the media wants to write vs what my eyes tell me about him in coverage. I know you like him too but there flat out aren’t many better in the NFL. Just like it’s taken way too long for people to see that LVD is a stud, this time next year Barron will be viewed the same.
Can’t wait until Sunday!
December 13th, 2013 at 11:01 pm
@That Guy….I went back and read those posts from draft day and yes…I was saying Barron was a great pick and was going to be a pro bowl safety. What were YOU saying?……..