Barrow's Return: June Mini-Camp?

[hatsOFF2gibbs]

Barrow's Return: June Mini-Camp?
By Gary Fitzgerald
Redskins.com
June 2, 2005

Linebacker Mike Barrow will undergo a workout for trainers prior to the June 17-19 mini-camp to determine the 12-year veteran he can be cleared to practice with the team, head coach Joe Gibbs said on Thursday.

Mike Barrow
Barrow missed all of the 2004 season with knee tendonitis and has continued to undergo rehabilitation through the offseason.

"What Mike has to do there is go through a process of working out for our trainers and everybody here to make sure that we clear him," Gibbs said. "At that point, he can go into regular team work."

Gibbs said he anticipates Barrow being at "full go" at the June mini-camp.

If healthy, Barrow could be a key component to the Redskins' defense next season. The defense has a void at middle linebacker due to Antonio Pierce's departure to the New York Giants.

The candidates for the middle linebacker job include recently signed Warrick Holdman, Lemar Marshall, Brandon Barnes, rookie draft pick Robert McCune and Clifton Smith, among others.

Barrow is a 12-year NFL vet who has experience playing for Redskins' assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams. Barrow played in Houston from 1993-96 when Williams was a defensive assistant coach with the Oilers. Barrow came to the Redskins after a solid 2003 campaign with the New York Giants in which he led the Giants' defense with 177 tackles (122 solo).

"We didn't get a chance to play Mike last year, but we know a number of things about him. He's very smart--he actually helped us coach some last year. We know mentally what he can do. Physically, it's just a matter of getting him out there.

"Obviously he has a tremendous history--two years ago he led the NFL in tackles. We feel real good about him. We're just hoping that he gets healthy. It looks like he's made great progress and now the only thing doctors and trainers are worried about is the muscle mass and getting back the strength."

http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=7431
June Minicamp or June cut??

[Chris Luva Luva]

Man......

He's our best option at MLB right now. We have a few candidates that could possibly turn out right but he's that closest thing to a given on our roster.

I'll believe it when I see it because we've had this same thing told to us before.

[Redskin in Canada]

Prior to Joe Gibbs and Greg Williams' tenure, he would have been dropped like nothing, patience will reward the,. A player appreciates the loyalty. We will be fine. He will play. I am sure. Mark my words.

RiC

[TheRitzCracker]

I'm thinking McCune is our most physically gifted but the most prepared should be Holdman. Obviously Barrows the most experienced but he's knees are failing on him and he's over the hill. Start Holdman now, prepare McCune for the future!

[Chris Luva Luva]

I'm thinking McCune is our most physically gifted but the most prepared should be Holdman. Obviously Barrows the most experienced but he's knees are failing on him and he's over the hill. Start Holdman now, prepare McCune for the future!

Well if Barrow can get healthy he's our best MLB. He has a year in the system. He helped coach according to the article. He'd easily replace Peirce and surpass him in physical ability.

I'd like to see him play for us.

I wonder, if its taking him this long, will he last an entire season, two or three?

[Deadskins]

It would be great if he plays. I'm still holding out hope. But he has to be seen as injury prone. What are the chances he makes it the entire season? I'm an optimist, but damn.

[ejay183]

McCune is the future, that mix of speed and power will not go unnoticed. Barrow has a good chance to have one more year as a started.

[1niksder]

With him knowing the system and healthy he should start being the only true MLB on the roster with game experience.
This will give Holdman and McCune time to learn the system. I also wouldn't count out Lamar just yet either.

If he's not healthy I hope he retires, gives back part of his signing bonus and re-signs as a assistant LB coach

[DE SKINS FAN]

mccune with the mind of barrow would be so great

[SkinsJock]

I think Mike is not only our MLB but is the NFL comeback player of the year. Leads the team in tackles..the whole works! This guy is a machine and should not be thought of as an injury prone player. IMO they never wanted to take a chance at him playing before he was completely ready. This guy will elevate our defense. Yes, we have some potentially good players (at MLB) but they will not take it to the level that this guy can.

While I'm on the general subject of the D - I believe the defense will help improve the offense this year. The preparation this off-season and practice against this D has got to help our offense.

"my 2 cents"

[hatsOFF2gibbs]

I don't really know a lot about Barrow. Is he better than Arrington when healthy?

[JansenFan]

Different positions, so it's hard to compare the two. Both are very talented and good at what they do. Both missed last season. I guess that's the best I can do.

[skins#1fan]

Thank you! I have been waiting to here Barrow is back and healthy. If he is healthy no one on our roster will stand a chance at middle linebacker. Just 2 years ago he led the giants with tackles and if im not mistaking was in the probowl a few times. This guy is a tackling machine! Well to sum it up here is how its gonna go. If barrow is healthy then he will start, if we see lack of production due to injuries then we have plenty of backups. This is good news for the skins!

[WshSkins22]

lol this is funny, a few days ago you guys were saying he was going to get cut and now everyone is thinking differently. Im glad he is healthy I heargood things about him