After his defense was largely responsible for the worst record in NFL history, Joe Barry is on his knees begging for a job; any job.

Joe has read in recent days that the Bucs might be interested in bringing Joe Barry back into the fold. However, it’s starting to become rather clear that this propaganda is not being leaked by the Bucs, but by Barry himself.

Barry was thought to be a rising NFL coaching star a few short years ago, specifically when he was surrounded by other solid Bucs defensive coaches like Monte Kiffin, Rod Marinelli and Mike Tomlin.

But then that nasty little thing called nepotism crept into his life, and his father-in-law, Marinelli, decided to hire Barry as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator. As we all learned once again, nepotism can be lethal (just ask Bobby Bowden how nepotism can stain a career).

Barry’s stint as the Lions defensive coordinator can be summed up in one word: failure.

Actually, that should be in uppercase with an exclamation point.

Barry’s defense this past season was largely the reason why the Lions set an NFL record by being the first team to post an 0-16 mark. To suggest Barry’s defense failed is an understatement.

The Lions had the worst defense in the NFL, and it wasn’t even close. Barry’s defense gave up 517 points, an average of 32 points a game. By comparison, the second-worst defense in the NFL was St. Louis, which allowed 465 points. Barry’s defense gave up the most yards per game, as well, 404 (compared to Kansas City which allowed 393 yards a game).

So apparently, Barry is floating his name out to anyone who will listen and happens to own a keyboard, saying he’s interested in an NFL gig, any NFL gig. Case in point, Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune’s recent post on TBO.com.

“No, I have not interviewed at all – with anybody. Not even close,’’ Barry said Wednesday. “I have some irons in the fire, and I’ve talked to half a dozen teams about things, but I have not interviewed with anybody.

“At this point I’m just kind of hanging out and letting the dust settle for a week or two to see where the best fit for me and my family will be. If it’s Tampa, that would be great. I would love it.

“Tampa’s always been special to me and I think the world of the Glazers and the fans and the Buccaneers organization. If I could come back here, I would absolutely cherish it.’’

Barry went on to suggest to Cummings:

… he says he’s keeping all his options open.

Gee, ya’ think?

Barry’s tenure at Detroit suggests that he rode the coattails of Kiffin, daddy-in-law and Tomlin. It’s not like the Lions were an expansion team and had no benefit of free agency. They had some high draft choices and hand-picked free agents, some of which played for Barry when he was a Bucs assistant.

Joe hopes an option with the Bucs is not available. Joe doesn’t blame Barry for wanting to return to Tampa. But given the quality — or lack thereof — Barry’s defense displayed in recent years in Detroit, Barry may want to think about other options locally.

Joe understands there may be an opening at Freedom High School.