Mark Barron And Ronde Barber Make For Unusual Combination

Mark Barron and Ronde Barber are expected to be the starting safeties for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012. The whole defense is expected to improve and these two safeties may be a big part of that.

Barron is the ninth-youngest player on the team, while Barber is the oldest player on the roster at 37. Ronde Barber is a sixteen-year veteran, while Barron is just entering his rookie season. Barron’s play style is harsh and aggressive, while Barber uses his knowledge and tactics to gain an advantage. Unorthodox pairing? Sure. Unusual for head coach Greg Schiano? No.

It’s too early to tell whether this combination will be successful, but it definitely has potential. Barber is already a proven star in the league, so Barron will need to come in and play well. The good news is that Barber believes he can. “Mark, he’s a stud, now,” Barber said via Buccaneers.com. “Obviously, he’s running in shorts right now, but we’ve all seen Alabama play and we know what he brings to the table. I think we’re all excited to see him come August and September, see what he really has.”

There is also the aspect of teacher-pupil. Barber, who obviously knows the game well, will have the opportunity to teach and mentor Mark Barron. Barron already has a reputation as a hard-hitter and aggressive player, but under Barber, he will have the chance to become a complete player by learning the ins and outs of the game as well.

The pairing may be unusual, but is not unheard of. It remains to been seen whether or not the differing play styles will complement each other. But so far, Barber and Barron seem comfortable playing side-by-side.

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