Mark Barron Counts Fortunes Among Teammates
May 22nd, 2013
Bucs safety Mark Barron positively decleated Robert Griffin III last year.
Despite starting for a team that finished south of a .500 record and experiencing some ups and downs in his rookie season, Bucs safety Mark Barron considers himself a lucky guy.
Last year, amid the whirlwind of the NFL combine, pro day, draft, rookie minicamp and then training camp, Barron sort of found normalcy with the guy who he lined up next to on Sundays, future Hall of Famer Ronde Barber.
Barber is gone, but he has been replaced by Pro Bowler Dashon Goldson. Oh, yeah, there’s also the best-in-the-business cornerback (when healthy), Darrelle Revis.
Barron confessed after the first practice of OTAs Monday that he’s been fortunate as he works to become “a veteran.”
“Somewhat, yes, but there are still some things I want to improve on,” Barron said. “I am a lot more comfortable, I will say that. I have to get a feel for my new teammates and do the best that we can do.”
That would be Goldson and Revis, but Barber is still on Barron’s mind.
“Just like with Ronde as far as learning things from him, I like learning and studying the game,” Barron said. “I picked up [tips] from him and now there are two more players I can pick up from. I feel like I am in great situation learning from three great players.
“I can learn a lot from both of these guys.”
If Barron can progress, along with the additions of Johnthan Banks, Goldson and Revis, damn, Joe can’t help but think the Bucs could very well have the best secondary in the NFL, worst to first.
May 22nd, 2013 at 10:15 am
Baron is a beast!!! And, the additon of Gholston & Revis will help him imensely. We now have a spectacular mixture of youth and experience with the bonus that the experienced players are in their prime.
One aspect not considered when grading the Bucs draft is the influence a player like Revis will have on the rest of the team, not just the secondary. Normally, a first-round pick would not bring that with him.
May 22nd, 2013 at 10:20 am
Worst to first. Sounds reasonable to me. I like this DB group.
May 22nd, 2013 at 10:23 am
BTW – The Bucs seem to have more good corners on the roster than safeties. Could someone like Melvin (from NIU) convert to safety? Looks like he has the size. Just asking?
May 22nd, 2013 at 10:44 am
The flag that was thrown on that hit that Barron put on RGIII was one of the worst calls I’ve seen. Complete form tackle after the QB ran into Barron. Not sure how else he could’ve tackled him.
May 22nd, 2013 at 10:44 am
To me that was the issue when Rhaeem was coach, the organization relied heavily on rookies, 2nd and 3rd year athletes. Barber was about the only one who did have some veteran experience on the defense. A lot of our weakness was because we were a young talented inexperience team. Now we got some years on our belt and we’re getting very good progress on our team overall.
May 22nd, 2013 at 10:55 am
Joe: sometimes I can’t view comments without making one.
May 22nd, 2013 at 11:09 am
There were multiple issues when Raheem was coach, youth was just one of them.
May 22nd, 2013 at 11:16 am
If I could rate this article I’d give it 5 stars.
May 22nd, 2013 at 11:19 am
Alright! Joe must be in a good mood today, a positive article! Like these much better than the negative ones that bring out all of the “Freeman’s a bum” “Our DL sucks” and “Our DB’s might not be that good” trolls out of the woodwork. GO BUCS!
May 22nd, 2013 at 11:25 am
J 2.0,
Our D-line needs to produce more sacks. JJ Watt and Jared Allen have individually almost met or surpassed our team sack total over the past couple of years. We haven’t had a 10 sack man since Simeon Rice.
Freeman has either been a “Bum” or a “Star”, and he needs to consistently establish which one he is.
Our DBs ar a helluva lot better than last year.
We need to get back into the playoffs this year, rebuilding the last 5 years has been stupifying.
May 22nd, 2013 at 11:26 am
@Mike J
I have had the same problem. If you wait long enough they will show up but it is kind of annoying.
As far as Barron is concerned, I would love to see him take the next step and be that consistent, punishing safety we have seen him be on RG3 and Steve Smith. I also think he was underrated in pass coverage. I think for a rookie he did OKAY, not atrocious but acceptable for a rookie safety. I expect that to improve as well with another year of real coaching.
May 22nd, 2013 at 11:47 am
@ stevek
You are correct on all 3 of your points. I think, and this is an opinion, that improved DB play will improve DL play. Doubtful that we have a 15 + sack guy, but we may have 2 that get 10+.
Freeman does need to play mo0re consistenly. I have to think another offseason with Sullivan playbook will help. It was troubling that as the season went on last year he became more and more inconsistent. But I have high hopes for Freeman this year, considering in what is considered a
“Bad” year he set numerous Bucs records.
And yes, the DB’s are much much better this year than last. The Bucs could’ve not traded for Revis and drafted Desmond Trufant, Jonthan Banks, and Blidi Wreh-Wilson and would’ve already been leaps and bounds better than last year.
All in all I do see a playoff run in our future this year. I have already made “an agreement” that says I see the Bucs going atleast 11-5. That isn’t exactly betting that we make the playoffs, but I think 11-5 should be good enough to get in. Like I have said several times before 13-3 would not shock me.
May 22nd, 2013 at 1:12 pm
WestCoastBucsFan , TY, I will be more patient. & I agree w/ what you said re M.B..
May 22nd, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Davin nicks revis gholdson and every other returning starter with another year in the system plus banks and wright fighting for another payday how can we not be better plz someone tell me how.
May 22nd, 2013 at 5:07 pm
Bank’s could play safety in a pinch. 13-3 would shock the crap out of me.C’mon that’s crazy 8-8 or 9-7 is more realistic. To go 13-3 Freeman would have to have a 7-1 TD/INT. The D-line would have to be top 5 in sack’s. I think the D-line will improve. From a bottem feeder a year ago, to a middle of the pack team as far as sack total’s. Freeman will have another OK season 30 TD’s, 20 INT’s 4200 yard’s and 10 fumbles. We either just miss of just get in the playoff’s as a wild card. With those #’s a TD=INT,fumble we know exactly what we have in Freeman. A guy that will never be good enough to lead an elite team. To win after win after win. He just has these 2-3 quarter lapses of nothing. 3 and out, 3 and out. Long story short,Freeman will be throwing ball’s to AJ Green in 2014.
May 22nd, 2013 at 5:28 pm
@76buc76
Lol you really dislike Freeman huh?
May 23rd, 2013 at 10:15 am
@FlBoy84
I never post but after seeing the picture I instantly remembered that hit and felt compelled to comment. And you are exactly right, a flag was thrown and I was in disgust. That whole game was poorly officiated. Several questionable calls. That was the only game I got to attend last year so it sticks out in my mind.
As for the article, I can only think having all this talent is only going to bring out the best in Mark. With his rookie year under the belt and having some continuity in the defensive game plan, he can only take a step forward from an up and down rookie season. GO BUCS!