In 1980 the Cowboys struggled with Barnes (6 games) and Steve Wilson (10 games) sharing the left cornerback position, so the next season he was moved to strong safety to make room for undrafted free agent Everson Walls.
In 1980 the Cowboys struggled at cornerback with Barnes (6 games) and Steve Wilson (10 games) sharing the left cornerback position. In 1981 he was moved to strong safety with the arrival of rookie undrafted free agent Everson Walls.