Cowboys' Barron confident he'll prove his worth

[Bonecrusher#31]

Cowboys' Barron confident he'll prove his worth
By Tom Orsborn - Express-News
Web Posted: 09/10/2010 12:00 CDT



Alex Barron offered a been-there-done-that response to the news that he'll start in place of injured right tackle Marc Colombo in the Dallas Cowboys' season opener Sunday night.
“My confidence is fine,” Barron told reporters in Irving. “This is not my first rodeo. It's the first game of the season. That's about it.”

Barron started 74 of the past 76 games for St. Louis, including stints at right tackle in 2005-2006 and 2008. A first-round draft pick for the Rams in 2005, the Florida State alum started at left tackle the other seasons.

Colombo (knee) sat out practice again Thursday, making it all but certain he won't play against Washington.

Acquired in an offseason trade for linebacker Bobby Carpenter, Barron is eager to prove his worth as he attempts to shake the first-round bust tag he picked up in St. Louis.

“I'm confident in my abilities and I know I'll be ready to go on Sunday,” he said.

An ankle injury slowed Barron in training camp and the preseason. He worked mainly on the left side before five loose particles in Colombo's right knee forced him to undergo arthroscopic surgery in mid-August.

Barron will face Redskins linebacker and Texas-ex Brian Orakpo, who led all rookies last season with 11 sacks. But Barron said his chief concern is developing chemistry with right guard Leonard Davis.

“It's nothing that happens overnight,” Barron said. “We've been working on it since I stepped in over there. It's getting better every day as we watch film and talk about some things, and we just expect to be OK on Sunday.”

Barron isn't the only backup who will start for the Cowboys. Left guard Kyle Kosier (knee) will be replaced by veteran Montrae Holland, who has started 48 of his 74 NFL games.

“They've shown they can play in the National Football League. I think they want to show they can play for the Dallas Cowboys,” coach Wade Phillips said.

Quarterback Tony Romo is confident Barron and Holland won't let the team down.

“This is the ultimate team game,” Romo said. “I think you have to have people able to step up and be in position to help you. We have a lot of confidence in the guys stepping up. They're good players as well. We're lucky enough to have some depth at those positions, and we're going to keep battling.”

 

[Midswat]

I like Barron on the right side. I don't want him near the left side. But yeah, I think he's our RT for the next 5 or so years.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I like Barron on the right side. I don't want him near the left side. But yeah, I think he's our RT for the next 5 or so years.

I agree in that I prefer Barron on the RT. I hope he does well. Some people prefer Brewster at RT over Barron. Not feeling that at the moment.

 

[CAP-MAN]

Barron had some good moments with the rams he wasnt that bad the whole trying to replace orlando pace with him on the LT is what killed him there

 

[sbk92]

Anybody who prefers Barron on the right side doesn't understand the game.

The right side plays to his weakness. We'll continue to get no push whatsoever there in the run game.

I'm confident he'll prove his worth too.

 

[Cr122]

I think Barron can play both LT and RT.

He's already proven he can play the positions.

 

[sbk92]

I think Barron can play both LT and RT.

He's already proven he can play the positions.

He's already proven he can play the positions?

Warren, we're talking about a guy who failed with the Rams. All he proved to the only team that he's played for was that Bobby Carpenter might not be a bad roster replacement.

 

[Cr122]

He's already proven he can play the positions?

Warren, we're talking about a guy who failed with the Rams. All he proved to the only team that he's played for was that Bobby Carpenter might not be a bad roster replacement.

So which is it then, Colombo or Barron?

Because it's going to be one of them, and Barron has played the position before so he's no rookie at it. I feel more secure with him playing right tackle than Sam Young or Robert Brewster.

These are the cards we are dealt so we have to live with it. You know Jerry is going to come out and say we are solid at the right tackle position.

 

[sbk92]

So which is it then, Colombo or Barron?

Because it's going to be one of them, and Barron has played the position before so he's no rookie at it. I feel more secure with him playing right tackle than Sam Young or Robert Brewster.

These are the cards we are dealt so we have to live with it. You know Jerry is going to come out and say we are solid at the right tackle position.

OIC.

So because those are the only options, one of them has to be a capable RT.

My answer is neither. We don't have a real RT on this roster. It makes no difference to me which one plays. I don't expect anything. It's easily the worst spot on a bad line.

 

[Cr122]

OIC.

So because those are the only options, one of them has to be a capable RT.

My answer is neither. We don't have a real RT on this roster. It makes no difference to me which one plays. I don't expect anything. It's easily the worst spot on a bad line.

Look it, I know we need depth at the offensive line, I wasn't born yesterday, but yes, I do believe Barron will do a good job in place of Colombo. He's not total garbage like you think he is just because he doesn't play for the Rams anymore.

 

[sbk92]

Look it, I know we need depth at the offensive line, I wasn't born yesterday, but yes, I do believe Barron will do a good job in place of Colombo. He's not total garbage like you think he is just because he doesn't play for the Rams anymore.

The Rams spent a 1st round pick on this dude. Watched him play at both spots and decided to trade him for Bobby Carpenter.

You sound as intelligent as a Rams fan would saying the same thing about Carpenter.

Both are bums. Complete and total bums. I expect them to play like bums in the future. Because they have shown consistency.

 

[Cr122]

The Rams spent a 1st round pick on this dude. Watched him play at both spots and decided to trade him for Bobby Carpenter.

You sound as intelligent as a Rams fan would saying the same thing about Carpenter.

Both are bums. Complete and total bums. I expect them to play like bums in the future. Because they have shown consistency.

C'mon, now just because I think Barron will do a good job at right tackle for us makes me stupid now, whatever.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

Barron had some good moments with the rams he wasnt that bad the whole trying to replace orlando pace with him on the LT is what killed him there

I believe that Stephen Jackson aqcuired most of his yards runnng behind Barron. However, I prefer him to be facing Carter than Orakpo at the moment.

 

[Midswat]

C'mon, now just because I think Barron will do a good job at right tackle for us makes me stupid now, whatever.

Barron is more suited for the RT position. He has performed well at RT during training camp. When he has struggled, it was because he was on the left side.

I'm optomistic that Barron will be our replacement to Columbo.

 

[Cr122]

Here's Alex Barron's scouting report.

Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange
Overview
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Positives … Has a massive frame, good quickness and incredibly long arms. … Does a very good job of playing on his feet, displaying the lateral agility to sustain blocks when working in the ground game. … As a pass blocker, he shows awareness and the feet to get out and cut off, readjusting smoothly when asked to work in-line. … Able to gain position when working in-line and reach the second level with his initial quickness off the ball. …

Has exceptional balance and plays well on his feet, showing the lateral agility to adjust and sustain blocks. … Has the quickness to pick up blocks working in space. … His balance and wingspan allow him to readjust, mirror and sustain when working off the edge. … Knows how to use his long arms to separate and sustain. … Has the foot agility to slide and cut off the blitzers on the corner. … Able to locate and pick up defensive schemes. … Has a wide base that allows him to maintain balance when attempting to lock on and control. … His hand usage allows him to prevent defenders from getting into his body, as he is quick to lock on and control. … In the passing game, he uses his body well to gain position and has the foot agility to adjust and refit. … Shows good body control and will sit and let the action come to him. … Displays good field awareness, as he sees the stunts and games along the line of scrimmage. … Athletic enough to ride most action wide of the pocket and will make a good effort to recover when beaten. … Has a 7'6" wingspan.

Negatives … Has narrow shoulders and chest with some thickness in his thighs and hips. … Needs guidance and structure and lacks that aggressive nature you want in a quality left tackle. … Just a marginal worker who will do what the coaches ask, but is not the one who will push himself or do the little extras (needs mentoring). … Shows tremendously good hand usage, especially on reach blocks, but when he gets high in his stance, he can be pushed back on his heels by the quicker defenders. … Has the upper body power and positioning skills to wall off and sustain, but will overextend at times when isolated off the edge (possibly the worst game of his career came against North Carolina State in 2004, as 265-pound DE Mario Williams was credited with two sacks and five stops for losses). … For all of his ability, he seems to go through the motions too much, drawing comparisons to Washington's Chris Samuels, a player that can excite and frustrate you from one play to the next. … Needs to dedicate himself in the weight room, as he must improve his lower leg power in order to handle the bull rush at the pro level. … Will give good effort, but does not really have that fire in his belly needed to finish. … Active with his hands, but needs to generate more force behind his punch (more of a grabber). … Relies a lot on his long arms to keep defenders off his chest, but he fails to drop his hips and lower his stance, causing a few of the quicker defenders to slip off his blocks (see 2004 North Carolina State and Miami games). … If he can add lower body power and develop a more aggressive nature, he will be an established pro before long, but he has yet to develop the dominance and nasty attitude you look for in a player of his awesome athletic ability. … Lacks ideal hip explosion needed to move defenders off the line, relying on his upper body strength wall off and hold open the running lanes. … In the running game, he needs to play at a lower pad level to be effective, as his size and lack of explosion limits his ability to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage. … Needs to get better leverage and more power in his game. … Being so tall he will miss with his punch and shoot his hands too high, as this allows the smaller defensive ends to sometimes get under his pads and push the pocket.
2004 Season

All-American first-team selection by the Football Writers Association, Walter Camp, Associated Press, and College Football News … All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team choice … Started twelve games at split tackle, coming off the bench vs. Miami in the Orange Bowl … Filled the role of departed All-American Brett Williams, helping the Seminole passing offense rack up 3,409 yards through the air … Also blocked for a group of running backs that averaged 4.6 yards per carry … Part of an offensive line that allowed only 25 quarterback sacks … Credited with giving up seven pressures and 3.5 sacks.

2003 GAME Analysis

North Carolina … Opened the season with six knockdowns and drove defensive tackle Donti Coats into the end zone with QB Chris Rix following on a 1-yard touchdown run as the Seminoles gained 553 yards.

Maryland … Picked up the blitz, knocking down linebacker Leon Joe as Rix rolled left to find Craphonso Thorpe with an 18-yard touchdown strike … The team would account for 427 yards.

Colorado … Executed a chop block on linebacker Sean Tufts, killing the blitz and giving Rix protection as he uncorked a 37-yard touchdown pass to Thorpe while the team totaled 458 aerial yards.

Duke … Shoved defensive tackle Matt Zielinski to the ground to clear a rush lane used by tailback Greg Jones for a 2-yard scoring run as FSU totaled 424 yards.

Miami … Had his worst game of the season, as he allowed two pressures, six tackles and a 3-yard sack by defensive end Baraka Atkins.

North Carolina State … In a wild double overtime 50-44 victory that saw both offense piled up 1,039 yards, Alex made seven knockdowns and made a key block up field on linebacker Pat Thomas that cleared away the final obstacle on a 71-yard touchdown jaunt by Lorenzo Booker as FSU amassed 272 yards on the ground.
2003 Season

Started five games while appearing in all fourteen as a backup to two-time All-ACC split tackle Brett Williams … Made his first collegiate start against Virginia, while also starting against Duke, Louisville, Notre Dame and Florida … Played a big role in helping the offense gain 2,618 rushing yards, the fourth most yards gained in FSU history.
2002 Season

Saw action in four games … Would have started the final two games after ACC Blocking Trophy winner Brett Williams went down with a knee injury in the North Carolina State game, but missed both games after breaking his hand in practice … Graded at a season-high 82% in the Seminoles' win over Virginia … Never graded out below 73% in any game … Credited with five intimidations (knockdowns) and two key blocks on the season … Missed the final three games with a left hand fracture.
2001 Season

Redshirted due to a knee injury he suffered during preseason workouts.
Injury Report

2000: Granted a medical redshirt after undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

2001: Missed the Florida and Georgia Tech games after fracturing his right hand in practice … Sat out the Virginia Tech contest when he then fractured his left hand in practice.

2004: Did not start vs. Miami in the Orange Bowl (1/01/04) and underwent surgery (1/15) on his right shoulder (Bristow process) after the game.
Track

Social Science major … Born 9/28/82 … Resides in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
High School

NOTE: On Pro Day, FSU players ran outdoors on a very, very fast rubber Tartan track. Many players ran their 40s with shoes that had nubs, which helps get better traction and lends to faster times … 4.86 in the 40-yard dash … 395-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times … 523-pound squat … 296-pound power clean … 38-inch vertical jump … 4.62 20-yard shuttle … Right-handed … Wears contacts … 17/28 Wonderlic score. COMBINE: Player chose to not participate in most agility tests … 4.56 20-yard shuttle … 7.83 three-cone drill … 35.5-inch vertical jump … 9'4" broad jump … 37 -inch arm length … 10 -inch hands … 19 Wonderlic score.
Personal

Attended Wilkerson (Orangeburg, S.C.) High School, playing football for coach Tommy Brown … Prep Star and Football News All-American … Rated the third-best offensive lineman in the country by Prep Star … Named to the Orlando Sentinel's All-South team … selected Jeff Whitaker's Deep South Football Recruiting Guide South Carolina Player of the Year … Also excelled in basketball.

 

[Cr122]

I think by going with that he's going to make at least a solid right tackle for us in the future.

 

[LAZARUS_LOGAN]

I think by going with that he's going to make at least a solid right tackle for us in the future.

I hope so. If he is as good at RT as Free was, when he subbed for Colombo, then we're straight. Our Oline becomes instantly younger.