John Lynch says Mark Barron reminds him of himself

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The endorsement came from long ago and from far away. The more one safety raved about the other, the easier it was to feel good about the newest employee of the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Yes, Mark Barron has the skills to become the next John Lynch.

At least, that's what John Lynch says.

When it comes to judging safeties, who is in position to argue with Lynch, the best by-gum safety the Bucs have ever had? Yes, it was a bit of a surprise when the Bucs picked Barron with the seventh pick in the NFL draft, and yes, some of those people who guess at the event for a living might consider him a bit of a reach.

On the other hand, Barron — a two-time captain at Alabama — is one of those safeties who leaves bruises, the kind the Bucs have needed since the franchise held the door open for Lynch to leave. And if he can return greatness to the position, no one will ever quibble about the price. Just take it from Lynch.

"I think he's a flat-out stud," Lynch said.

"He doesn't have any holes. He does everything well."

Lynch should know. Over the past two weeks, he has studied the available safeties for an NFL team (he wouldn't say which one) "as if cramming for a history test." It didn't take him long to be impressed with Barron.

"Now, that's what I'm talking about," Lynch wrote of Barron in his report. "This is a big-time game-changing football player. My own opinion (I know he's hot), is that if he slips and you see an opportunity to go get him, do. This is guy is a start and top-line right now. He will definitely impact a team.

"What do I like so much? Everything. He sees things well. He recognizes and reacts quickly. He has very good athletic ability. He tackles well in space. He demonstrates great ball skills.

"In addition, he's nasty. He finishes, and he finishes violently."

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