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Bucs running back Peyton Barber: ‘I still consider myself an underdog'

Barber led the team in rushing last season but faces a battle with Ronald Jones
 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (25) talks to reporters in the AdventHealth Training Center on July 26, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. MONICA HERNDON   |   Times
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber (25) talks to reporters in the AdventHealth Training Center on July 26, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. MONICA HERNDON | Times
Published July 26, 2019|Updated July 26, 2019

TAMPA — Peyton Barber earned a spot in the NFL as an undrafted free agent after leaving Auburn after only two seasons as a redshirt junior.

So despite winning the No. 1 tailback job last season and leading the team in rushing in his third season, he doesn’t see himself as the favorite to become the Bucs’ primary ball carrier.

New coach Bruce Arians was impressed with Barber when he watched him on film, even though the Bucs running game was last in the NFL. Barber was 19th in the league with 871 yards on 234 carries for a rather pedestrian 3.72 yard average last year.

But he still has to hold off a challenge from Ronald Jones, a second-round pick from Southern Cal who had a disastrous rookie year with only 44 yards rushing and one touchdown.

“That definitely meant a lot to me,'' Barber said ‚”But you know, at the same time I still consider myself to be the underdog. There four or five other guys fighting for my job and I don’t plan on giving it up.'’

This year, Jones has said he wants to lead the Bucs in rushing and has gone from 208 pounds to 221. Barber, whose weight fluctuates during the season, typically begins the year as big as 230-235. But this year he has learned out and will start camp at 229.

"I definitely have a lot of expectations for myself, a lot of things I didn’t accomplish last year that I definitely want to accomplish this year,'' Barber said.

In Arians’ offense, Barber and the other running backs will have a bigger role in the passing game. The Bucs will split their backs out wide and in the slot receiver position on occasion.

Barber caught 20 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown last season but believes he can do more as a receiver.

"The passing game, staying out there on third downs, really breaking the long runs, explosive plays,'' Barber said. "Things of that sort.''

Barber will have plenty of competition. In addition to Jones, the Bucs signed former Cardinals running back Andre Ellington and Bruce Anderson, an undrafted rookie from North Dakota State and former Newsome High School star.