TAMPA, Fla. — Shaquil Barrett probably knew he would have a tough time repeating as the NFL's sack leader.
The Bucs outside linebacker did not expect to have only two in his first seven games this season, both coming in a Week 3 win at Denver.
Barrett led the league with 19.5 sacks last season and was given the Bucs' franchise tag worth $15.8 million for 2020.
But he is a marked man this season and has yet to really start piling up sacks. At this point in 2019, Barrett had 10.
In the Bucs' 40-25 win Sunday at Las Vegas, Barrett was penalized for jumping the snap count, negating an interception by safety Mike Edwards.
"He's been getting some great rushes," defensive coordinator Todd Bowles said of Barrett. "I mean, the ball has been coming out some. Last year, I mean, luck of the draw, they've been holding onto it. We know it wasn't going to be the same from the (19.5) sacks standpoint, but his pressures and his run game and his pass drops have been excellent, so we're happy where he is right now."
