Mark Barron compared to John Lynch August 5, 2014 by Gil Arcia 
Buccaneers’ safety Mark Barron has shown flashes on the field to validate Tampa Bay using their seventh overall selection on him in the 2012 draft. Not many safeties go in the Top 10 of any NFL draft, but Barron did. Like the old regime, the new Bucs regime is high on Barron’s abilities — especially head coach Lovie Smith. The former Alabama product has had several plays during training camp with the new defensive scheme including several interceptions.He looks like a natural in the new system and Smith talked about liking what he sees in his young safety, including comparing him to a former Buccaneer and potential future Hall of Famer.“Does the system play to his strength? Absolutely,” Smith said. “I’ve heard [the media] talk a lot about Lavonte David and Gerald McCoy being compared to two Hall of Famers. But we had another great safety here in John Lynch also. Mark Barron – he looks the part. Very pleased with him. I really like what he did at Alabama when he came out. He had a good season last year. But it’s ahead of him. What we need: we need a big, strong safety. He’ll be down into the box. He went three days and had interceptions on three days. He has good hands for a big guy. I could talk about Mark for quite a while, as you can see, but we like the direction he’s going.”Barron — like any other rookie — struggled a bit his rookie season. He really came on last season after the addition of veteran safety Dashon Goldson. This year, as Smith alluded to, Barron will play more often in the box. It’s a move that may be a more natural fit for the young hard-hitting safety.In 2013, Barron saw looks in the tackle box as well. But last season’s system was a dysfunctional one under former head coach Greg Schiano.There is more structure under Lovie Smith and that is seen throughout camp practices. Barron looks comfortable in his new role in the Buccaneers’ new defense which should help any inconsistencies he may have had.link
