Free agent Alex Barron, former St. Louis Rams right tackle, has been making significant waves during training camp this season after being considered a “bust” in the NFL.
Barron has had his issues since being drafted 19th overall in the 2005 draft and has seen his fair share of different clubs. In all of his fives seasons, he has been with the Rams, the Cowboys, and finally the Saints. Within this time he was noted as the highest penalized player in the league for everything under the sun. However, during his tenure with the Saints, he was placed on IR for a knee injury that he suffered during his camp in New Orleans. This injury, paired with the stacks of penalties against him, left Barron’s NFL career seriously in jeopardy.
Bring in Pete Carroll.
Carroll picked up the undrafted free agent this season to add potential depth to Seattle’s struggling offensive line, along with former Bear’s Frank Omiyale and former Cardinal Deuce Lutui. With the last two players being the talk-of-the-town, Barron has been a considered under the radar, until yesterday. In an article written by Dave Boling of the News Tribune, he describes a match up between the offensive lineman and the rookie defensive end, Bruce Irvin.
Barron had starting in the second offensive unit behind new starter Breno Giacomini. He had been required to block Irvin for three straight plays. For three straight plays, the 6’7″ 320 pound lineman, “stone-walled” the rookie dead in his tracks. Irvin had try “spin moves” and other techniques of cutting through the offensive line, none had been successful.
This is not to say the Irvin is going to be an issue, this is not to say that our first round draft pick was a bust, this is to say that there is still life in Barron yet. To have the ability to take on a speedy, youthful, and powerful rookie like Irvin and bring him “to his knees” on the first snap in practice will garner some attention from the coaches and staff members. The only issue that truly remains is his attitude. Will Carroll be able quell the highest penalized player for three separate teams? Can he take on this project that had been a failure in other camps? Will Barron’s maturity still be an issue this late in his career?
The Seahawks offensive line had a rough start during the beginning of last season, as well as spotty through the year. Seattle allowed for 50 sacks on both Tavarias Jackson and short timer Charlie Whitehurst. They were ranked 29th in the league for most sacks allowed last season. Something has to be changed up front this year.
If Barron can turn things around and “play by the rules” as Boling stated in his article, the depth chart the Seahawks will have this year will be an excellent addition to the upgrade in defense and for whoever will be named the starter at the quarterback position this season.
Original Story:
http://seattlesportsnut.com/seahawks-...
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August 03, 2012
