Barber Says Rams’ Game Plan Helped Bucs
October 26th, 2010
Were the Rams outcoached?
It seems Ronde Barber might think so. He chatted with talented NFL.com blogger Jenna Laine and offered up this nugget on the Bucs slowing the Rams running game in the second half.
In the second half, Jackson was limited to just 40 yards, with 13 different Bucs defenders taking him down. Barber and Ruud each recorded six tackles to help slow down the Rams’ new all-time rushing leader.
Barber was particularly effective in the box and helping the guys up front, especially in the the middle. Of the six tackles he made on Jackson, only one was made after allowing 4 yards or more.
According to Barber, his play up front, rather than playing deep was the result of Bradford and the Rams’ offense not utilizing enough passing plays.
“They turn around and hand the ball off 30 times and put up 200 and say, ‘You know what? We don’t need our rookie quarterback to beat this team. We’re going to let Steven Jackson do it.’ That was the feeling anyway,” said Barber, who finished the game with 9 solo tackles and an assist.
“There were a lot of short throws and a lot of safe throws for him. It worked to our advantage,” Barber added, also noting that Bradford looks “spectacular” on film for a young quarterback.
Joe, too, was surprised how conservative the Rams were with Bradford, although with a ball-hawking secondary like the Bucs have, it probably wasn’t a bad idea. Plus Aqib Talib could have had at least one interception anyway, and Bradford was hardly accurate on the short balls. So the hindsight probably is just that.
Joe wants to point out that Barber leads the Bucs with 33 solo tackles, which is pretty damn stunning for a guy his size and his age.
October 26th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
“Joe wants to point out that Barber leads the Bucs with 33 solo tackles, which is pretty damn stunning for a guy his size and his age.”
And pretty damning for some other guys on the D considering the Bucs should not have to rely on a cornerback to be their best run stopper.
October 26th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Biggest question mark at the end of the year. Biggers and Lewis both show signs of being fine- meybe great CB’s – for the Bucs. But how do you replace Barber if he retires? He is our best blitzer. Our best tackler in space, and Sunday proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is our best linebacker!! I really Hope he wants to play a couple more years. Meybe a move ta free safety prolongs his career. And he would be absolutely deadly at FS!! He has always been the most underrated superstar in our Defense. Anyone who doubts he is a hall of famed should be sent copies of last weeks game! Thank God for Ronde Barber!
October 26th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
It will be a travesty of epic proportions if Ronde Barber does not end up in the Hall of Fame.
And don’t give me any “its the system he plays in” garbage. The man is a badass and he would be in any system.
October 26th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
Interesting…Bucs are ranked 12th in the NFL right now in the standings.
4th in the NFC.
http://www.nfl.com/standings?category=conf&season=2010-REG&split=Overall
October 26th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
ronde barber deserves pro-bowl votes
October 26th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
On topic…Barber is a Ring of Honor guy at the very least. He is the last of an era…and when he is gone, it will be a sad time indeed.
One of the most memorable things he has said is this:
“I want to help prepare my team to continue when I’m retired…because I don’t want to watch bad football in my living room.”
Love the guy.
October 26th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
E.J. Biggers looks like the replacement to me, he’s been making big stops
October 26th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
Best undersized linebacker to play corner!
October 27th, 2010 at 12:37 am
Biggers and Barber are very similar body styles. Biggers (6’0, 180) and Barber (5’10, 184). I’ve even heard there are many similarities in their play style. If that’s the case, I think Biggers is being groomed to step in when Barber retires and Lewis will compete or settle for the nickel spot. Either way, I think it’s a nice trio of CBs if they pan out. I almost like the idea of Talib/Lewis with Biggers at nickel if Biggers/Lewis are about equal. Lewis is more of a Talib type. A little bigger, stronger CB. That way, Biggers can play the nickel and blitz like Ronde does (not that they couldn’t do what they do now and start Biggers, then move him in during nickel packages).