Peyton Barber

[Pac_Eddy]

The odds of Martin being cut are high; he'll be a 29 year old RB that's averaged 3.0 ypc the last two years and will cost the Bucs nearly 7 million for '18. Unless he restructures, I consider him almost a lock to be cut. Enough so that I'm assuming it as a matter of course when considering Barber.

Barber needs for Tampa to pass on taking an exciting RB in round 2 or 3, I think. With that condition fulfilled, I believe he'll be the favorite to start in '18.

But I want to reiterate that it's not just his situation that I like. Barber looks like a good football player, and one who's still getting better.

The Bucs have a TON of cap space($68M, 5th most in the NFL), so I am not as confident as you are that Martin will be cut. He may even accept a pay cut to stay rather than be cut outright.

[Cameron Giles]

There's no harm in a free pickup, but he's likely a JAG. Add in the uncertainty with the Bucs coaching staff, and I doubt that any of the RB's currently on the roster will start next season.

[ninotoreS]

FYI, Barber started today over an activated Martin.

The Bucs have a TON of cap space($68M, 5th most in the NFL), so I am not as confident as you are that Martin will be cut.

The cap space doesn't matter. The point is that Martin's play the last two seasons doesn't warrant 7 million in '18, and his age doesn't lend optimism to keeping him around to see if he'll regain old form. Tampa can almost certainly do something more useful with those millions currently alloted to Martin for next year.

He may even accept a pay cut to stay rather than be cut outright.

As I said, the only possibility I see for him to stay in Tampa is if he agrees to restructure. Which is codespeak for paycut, in this context.

And it'd have to be a steep paycut, since as of now Martin is officially behind Barber on the depth-chart. Also bear in mind Martin doesn't play special-teams, so if he falls behind both Barber and a future draft pick, he's likely to be released even with a paycut.

[jman3134]

Are we sure he has leaped Martin in the depth chart or is it that they are giving Barber some time to prove his merit late in the season (And out of contention)?

[thebeast]

Good speculative add. Barber came into the league very young and raw, most everyone thought he left school way too early. I think he left after redshirting his freshman year, then playing his sophomore year. He needed time to develop and looks to be progressing as a player. Some guys need that time to grow into the nfl, while I’m not comparing style at all, Dion Lewis comes to mind.

[Plank]

The question is, does Gruden consider him a "grinder?"

[ninotoreS]

Are we sure he has leaped Martin in the depth chart or is it that they are giving Barber some time to prove his merit late in the season (And out of contention)?

After today, I think it's confirmed. If it wasn't already. There's just no logical reason to go back to Martin in '18. He's no longer a win-now asset for Tampa. It's not as if he was any good this year before Tampa was out of contention.

Maybe it's Barber or maybe it's a premium draft pick, but I'm pretty darn sure Tampa has a new starting RB next season. As for Martin, dollars to donuts he's played his last game in a Bucs jersey. Heck, I suspect Quizz has a better shot than Martin at making the roster next year.

[Pullo Vision]

Seems alot of talk about Ronald Jones, little about the guy out-playing him. Is Barber Tampa's version of Carson? Can he continue to hold off the vaunted rookie, or does he only have a half season of relevance as a volume back?

[ImaRounder]

All those questions were answered in the Ronald Jones Thread.

[ArrylT]

Bump for review

[ArrylT]

Only by those that were in the RoJo thread and felt a need to reply.

I've bumped an earlier Barber thread. But I am sure most owners expect Barber to only have short term relevance. Will be fun to see how his role plays out this year though.

lol just noticed I typed except when I should have put expect haha.

[ninotoreS]

Good times.

[Pullo Vision]

Thanks to both of you!

[HereForTheComments]

Barber has looked solid while RoJo has looked awful. I expect the Bucs to continue giving RoJo opportunities, which will limit Barber a tiny bit in the beginning and could end his hold on the starting gig, if RoJo figures it out. For the beginning of the season, though, I feel he will be a solid rb2 with limited upside.

[Pullo Vision]

Good find ArryIT, and good info, Nino.

I admit, my interest in him is very focused on one team. I've gotten alot of interest in him for weeks and offers are now approaching the price.

Would love to hear how people see him given how he's outplayed the rookie Tampa drafted. There's been mentions of him in the Ronnie Jones thread, and I'm slogging through that, but they keep talking about Barber like he's Jones's shadow. He deserves a discussion where he's the main event.