Sunday, 3 a.m.
For Shaquil Barrett, the path to the quarterback has never been an easy one. He has made it to the Tampa Bay Bucs the hard way.
Barrett, an outside linebacker who was a free agent signing from Denver, didn't arrive in the NFL with trumpets blaring. He was a free agent off of the practice field. He was a college player (Nebraska-Omaha) whose program folded underneath him, forcing a transfer to Colorado State. He has only 15 starts in four seasons.
But Barrett has hopes of being able to help a Tampa Bay defense that, frankly, needs all it can get.
Content beyond this point is for members only.
Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo)!
Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.
Barrett hopes to contribute in a rebuilt linebacker corps alongside Lavonte David, Devin. White and others. He had 14 sacks in the last four seasons.
“I always, no matter what *(or) who was in front of me, whenever I get on the field, I’m ready to play," Barrett said. "I’m always ready to make an impact on the game. I know in our room, our outside linebacker group we (are) taking the challenge we (are) ready to show the people that believed in us that they believed in us for the right reason and to prove the doubters wrong. So, we’re just ready to make our impact on the team.”
Barrett said he is still adjusting to being a veteran.
"That’s a different role for me, for sure," he said. "I always was like – ever since my third year, I’ve always been helping out the younger guys. I always have been like a vet, but now actually being the – I think the oldest guy in the room right now, is different. I’m ready for it though, I’ve learned under a lot of great players and been around a lot of great players. So, I’m ready to just try to help out as much as I can. And I’ve already been helping out, and all the guys in our room help out whenever they can and just give advice whenever they notice anything. We are all stepping up and doing our part to have a good room and all of us just being leaders.”
The Bucs could use whatever defensive improvements they can find. They were 27th in the NFL a year ago.
Barrett thinks playing behind defensive tackles Vita Vea and Ndamukong Su will help.
I think the inside linebackers are really going to appreciate that," Barrett said. "They’ve got two great guys up there – stout guys who are going to be really good in the running (game) and they’ll affect the pass game too. So, we’re real good up front.”
Barrett also had praise for returner Noah Spence.
“He’s so explosive off the ball," Barrett said. "His get-off is amazing, and then he’s real good with his hands as well. And (he’s) got great body control. So, he’s going to be very good for us this year.”
{ 0 comments… read it below or Subscriptions }