BEREA — The opener was always going to be special for Austin Barber. The rookie’s first NFL game is in his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.
“Obviously you see when the schedule comes out and I’m going home for my first ever game in the NFL, it’s pretty surreal,” he said Thursday. “A lot of family’s going to be there, a lot of supporters are going to be there. I’m just excited to go back.”
The homecoming got a lot more special this week.
Barber will start at right guard Sunday vs. the Jaguars after veteran Teven Jenkins (back) missed practice Thursday and Friday and was ruled out.
“That’s a crazy thought, but I don’t know. I just got to be ready when my number’s called,” Barber said. “It’s crazy I’m going home for my first game.”
The Browns traded up to draft Barber in the third round, No. 86 overall, out of the University of Florida. He played tackle in high school and college but was moved inside four weeks ago and immediately impressed the coaches. He was pushing Jenkins even before the injury.
“It’s just going about my business every single day,” Barber said. “When my number’s called, I got to be ready, and it doesn’t matter if it’s at guard or tackle.
“I’ve gotten a bunch of reps (at guard) in the preseason and during camp. I’ve transitioned over there. I feel good.”
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Barber (6-foot-7, 320 pounds) said his only previous reps at guard were in a one-on-one drill when he was a freshman for the Gators. Yet the transition has been smooth.
“His development’s been impressive,” coordinator Travis Switzer said. “It’s hard enough for a rookie to come in and play, let alone when he’s been at multiple spots. It’s all about the approach and the way he goes about it. He’s wired the right way. He’s a very diligent guy, he’s very tough. So we’re excited about him and his development.”
Life on the interior is different. Things happen faster, the bodies are bigger and there’s more of them. Tackle is more about playing in space and dealing with the defensive end’s speed off the edge.
“It’s the mix of his size and his athleticism that allows him to be able to do both those things,” Switzer said. “It’s been very impressive what he’s been able to show at both spots.”
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The Jaguars ranked first in the NFL last season against the run, allowing 85.6 yards a game. Their front four is formidable: nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, tackle Arik Armstead and ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
“They’re a really good team. They’re a really good front,” Barber said. “Josh Allen’s been there forever and Armstead’s been in the league for a long time. They’re vets. They’re really good. You got to be ready for what they do and you got to be ready to go.”
The Browns will have two rookies in the starting lineup, as No. 9 pick Spencer Fano will be at left tackle.
“We have all the confidence in the world in those guys,” Switzer said. “It starts with the way that they’re both wired, which is very important. They go about it the right way. They’re both physical and tough. We’ve seen that from training camp. If you can block Maliek (Collins) and Jared (Verse), you’re going to be OK. And we’ve seen those things from those guys. We’re very excited about them.”
Barber and Fano have talked about the transition to the NFL and what Week 1’s going to be like.
“Me and Spencer came in at the same time and we spent a lot of time together, especially during rookie minicamp and camp,” Barber said. “Just talk to him a lot. We bounce feedback off of each other and we talk to the vets as well. We lean on them a lot.”
Barber will line up between eight-year veterans Elgton Jenkins at center and Tytus Howard at right tackle. Fifth-year veteran Zion Johnson is next to Fano at left guard.
“Just go out there, play fast, play free,” Johnson said of his advice to the rookies. “Don’t be timid, don’t be worried about making mistakes. But Austin, Spencer, both those guys are really smart, really talented and they go about things the right way. So I’m just really excited to see what they go and do.”
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Barber said “everything’s changed” when asked how his preparation has shifted from his college days.
“I’m in the NFL, and you just got to spend so much more time watching the guys, watch who you’re going against,” he said. “It’s my job to go out there and perform.”
Barber played at EverBank Stadium four times during college. His cheering section will be loud for his first NFL game there.
“My whole family’s going to be there,” he said. “More than I can count.”
