Rams see LB Mark Barron 'fitting in' to new systemAlden Gonzalez
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- In prior years -- though not as much lately -- Mark Barron played a hybrid role, serving as both a safety and linebacker for former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. But the Los Angeles Rams' new defensive coordinator, Wade Phillips, is simplifying things a bit.
"He's a linebacker," Phillips said of Barron from the Rams' rookie minicamp on Friday. "He's really instinctive; he’s got great speed, and we can utilize his coverage ability at linebacker. It gives you more options as far as things you want to do defensively. If you get a guy like that who can cover people, then we’re going to utilize that."
With the Rams converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4, Barron -- the former seventh overall pick who is heading into his sixth season -- will serve as an inside linebacker alongside Alec Ogletree, with Robert Quinn and Connor Barwin on the outside. Barron was a strong safety in his first two-plus years with the Buccaneers, but essentially played both linebacker and safety with the Rams during the second half of 2014 and for most of 2015.
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