Buccaneers get Mark Barron under contract

Mark Barron arrived today for rookie training camp in Tampa Bay as the Buccaneers finalized a contract for the first-round draft pick on Friday.

The Bucs are one of the clubs that has rookies arrive before veterans for training camp. The safety from Alabama received a contract with a signing bonus of $8.9 million, according to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

The rookie is expected to start immediately next to veteran Ronde Barber, who is being moved from cornerback to safety.

The Bucs have worked to build their defense through the draft in recent years. Picks on the defensive line like Gerald McCoy, Brian Price and Da’Quan Bowers need to step up. If the younger players can begin to deliver, new Tampa coach Greg Schiano could have the makings of a fine defense.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune