The Buccaneers signed free agent OLB Shaq Barrett this offseason to bolster their pass rush. Barrett was looking for a team to give him a chance to play after being stuck behind Vonn Miller his entire career. Fast forward to week 15 of the NFL season and Barrett has not only played, he’s played at a record setting pace.
Shaq Barrett led the NFL in sacks (14.5) heading into the week 14 game against the Colts. During the win over the Colts, Barrett was credited with a half a sack. A stat correction by the NFL on Wednesday gave Barrett credit for the entire sack on that play. This is significant for two reasons, first off Barrett is still the league leader (15.5) in sacks. The second reason being Barrett is now just one sack away from Warren Sapp’s franchise season sack record of 16.5.
Putting your name next to Sapp’s in any statistical category is a great accomplishment. Barrett has three more games in which to tie or even pass Sapp’s record. There’s a very good chance the Buccaneers will have a new franchise sack leader by the end of this season. A chance is all that Barrett ever wanted. Apparently that’s all he ever needed.
Photo credit: buccaneers.com
