Barber’s Got A Broken Arm
January 7th, 2012
One of the classic debates among sports fans surrounds when truly great players should retire.
Should stars try to go out on top? And does that mean on top of their game and/or with a championship team?
Should they try to not “embarrass” themselves by competing long past their prime?
Frankly, Joe loves watching the competitiveness of superstars as they keep working in their craft, regardless of their success or age. If a guy wants to be dragged off his field of play or forced out of his game, then so be it. Joe doesn’t expect a game warrior to somehow want to sit back on his couch smoking cigars and drinking cognac. Though, sadly, Muhammad Ali took hanging on way too far.
Joe was living north of San Francisco when legendary Joe Montana, then 37 and coming off a major injury, was traded from the 49ers to the Chiefs in 1993. Joe’s never seen such an outcry of fans and media. Legions were screaming from rooftops that Montana should have retired to preserve his legendary legacy and not wear a foreign uniform.
It was amazing. All the soft-spoken Montana wanted to do was play football — no Brett Favre lunacy — and many Niners fans skewered him for that. … Montana went on to lead the Chiefs to the AFC Championship game in the ’93 season.
This brings Joe to Ronde Barber, who had surgery this week for a broken arm, so The Roanoke Times (Va.) reported yesterday. Click through the link for brother Tiki Barber’s comments on Ronde’s future.
Who knows what Ronde Barber will do next? And would the Bucs want to give him a blank check to return?
The only thing Joe’s sure of is that Joe will not be the guy who says Barber, if he decides to keep playing somewhere, should have hung it up and held on too long.
January 7th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Ronde can still play the nickel slot and get to the QB when his number is called. He has a broken arm because he singlehandedly tackled every single ATL player during the last game.
Ronde played great this year and still has gas in the tank. We need guys like that in the LR.
January 7th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
“has a broken arm”
January 7th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Ronde can retire, come back here, or play for the Patriots. It doesn’t matter. He is a Ring of Honor Buccaneer and one of the greatest players to play here.
Personally, I think he’s a Hall of Fame players but we’re not here to debate that………yet.
January 7th, 2012 at 2:24 pm
@RastaMon – “Got” is still a real word the last time I checked.
January 7th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
His prime was years ago. He had the most missed tackles for a CB this year. His 22 in a season were more than any CB over the past four years. He has led his position in missed tackles twice over the past four years. No other CB has missed more tackles total than Barber over that period of time. Time to hang them up.
January 7th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
As a Big Fan of Barbers I don’t want to see him play past his prime, he is at that point now I think, if he comes back next season and drops off just a little he will be a problem for this young team. We have heard from his own mouth that he is not a vocal leader, so if say sign him to a 4 mill contract for next season and his play slips just a little what would we have gotten for the $. And yeah before everyone goes balistic I know he is a pro and works his arse off to stay in shape. I don’t want to be relying on a player who’s skills are only goingo go down from here on out. Father time has no snooze button.
January 7th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
What is a black check? If it’s black, is the printing in white so you can see it?
January 7th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
Old news…they said it was broken during the game 😛
January 7th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
he missed more tackles than any other CB because he had way more “opportunities”
He can still play the nickel at a high level. One more year !
January 7th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
Black check? Is that like an American express black card?
January 7th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@k1ngadroc Doesn’t matter about the opportunities. He had them and failed 22 times. That is nothing short of terrible. Jason McCourty had 100 tackles and only missed 6. Don’t excuse Ronde’s poor play just because you like him..
January 7th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Wow i can tell were really searching hard for a new HC. Smh
January 7th, 2012 at 6:03 pm
Where’s the search for a HC news? I wish someone would come out and say something. I’m sure Barber won’t make any decision until he knows who the coach will be and what direction this team is going in. I’m sure the fact the Glazers kept Dominik shows him their not too serious about building a winner. Ronde knows it wasn’t all Raheem’s fault. If they (Glazers) prove everyone wrong and spends money on a good HC and then is active in FA might be enough to keep him for 1 more year. But then again If Dominik can let Brooks go he’ll have no problem letting Barber walk. I for one would like to know how Barber feels about Dominik keeping his job.
January 7th, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Leave to the “fans” here to use this article as a invitation to bash Ronde Barber.
It’s pathetic and I’m glad none of you actually go to the ganes……you know….
LIVE……in Tampa……where many of you LIVE!
but you’re such “experts” and certainly are qualified to tell a player like Ronde when to retire. He doesn’t have to decide………..YOU can!
Ugh…..
January 7th, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Makes you wonder if some people are not actually Bucs fans, but just here to stir the pot.
“Got” is a word, but not necessarily good english for writers to use.
Considering how tirelessly Joe has been reporting, he (they) gets a pass.
January 7th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Sorry the truth hurts, Garv. Way to resort to questioning fan hood lmao
January 7th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
It’s been 5 days since Raheem was fired and we’ve only interviewed two candidates. Are we gonna hear anything new in the coming hours or days?
Weren’t the Glazers going to interview SEVERAL candidates?
January 7th, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Hopefully Barber will retire now. It is time to hang them up for this future hall of famer. Lets just pray Maurice Claiborne falls to us at #5 to give us a real CB! IF Talib somehow gets out of his legal issues, a combo of Claiborne and Talib would rival any teams combo of DBs.
I’m starting to think Mike Sherman is now the best candidate to coach our team. He had 5 straight winning seasons in GB and is very organized. Which is the exact opposite of Rah. I think he is the best option left if Fisher isn’t signing here.
Also, IF Claiborne is gone at #5 and RG3 is still there. Do you A.) Try to trade pick to a team that wants RG3 before Washington drafts after us. B.) Draft RG3 ourselves and try to trade Freeman to maybe Cleveland for their 2 1st round picks. C.) Draft someone like Justin Blackmon, Reiley Reiff (if Kalil is gone, which he should be by pick #5). And maybe Quinton Couples. That would be about it.
And I think we have to draft LaMichael James with our 2nd round pick. I know he is projecting to be a 3rd Round Pick. But he is the missing piece on our offense!! It would be like Tennessee drafting CJ2K with pick 23 in the 1st round when he had a 3rd round grade. If Claiborne is gone. Add Blackmon and LaMichael James to help Freeman. Have James/Blount RB combo!! Blackmon, Williams, Benn, Parker, Briscoe. If Freeman can’t do it with that talent then it is def. time to move on. I would prefer RG3 to him right now! But either way go Bucs!!!
January 7th, 2012 at 7:55 pm
@patrick nobody what the heck is going on at one buc place!! If we our trying find the perfect head coach we should be interviewing left and right. Not just two garbage coaches that nobody else would hire in the NFL. C’mon joe can we get some news or speculation on some new canidates!!
January 7th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Garv – that’s pretty insulting to alot of us
I live near Toronto, been a fan since 1976, had season tickets until Rah was hired. Spent thousands on hotels, flights, etc to get to the games.
My personal investment in this team is far greater than yours.
By your logic, my opinion is obviously worth more, correct?
On topic: Barber is a good, not HOF player, but he’s done
January 7th, 2012 at 8:19 pm
@funky
Trade Freeman????
Please don’t even talk that way!
January 7th, 2012 at 8:30 pm
I have no respect for message board posters insisting they know better than the player, especially a player with Ronde Barber’s credentials and class. when it is best to retire. It’s pathetic and comes from “fans” I don’t sit with at games, have never sat with at games and never will.
If that’s taken as “insulting?” Well, it’s meant to be. I suppose that observation counts for something.
“Personal investment?” LOL Yeah, I believe you flew down from Canada to every game since 1976 until Raheem was hired. Sure, THAT’S the ticket!
On topic, I don’t know if Ronde get’s in the HOF but he certainly has the numbers to be seriously considered. But he’s a lock for the Ring of Honor, pretty damn good place to be. But then……he’s not a message board poster.
January 7th, 2012 at 8:34 pm
The “experts” and “fans” here need to be consulted as to the next hire for HC of the Buccaneers. God only knows they’re qualified. Some of them even subscribe to Putrid Report at an amazing ten dollars a year!
Or maybe not. Back to telling Ronde what to do……………….Pathetic.
January 7th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
@TheProsUseAdvoCare you are right, i like Ronde, but I’m not letting that cloud my judgement. I’m calling it the way i see it!
Sure he missed some tackles, but you watched all the games, right? Teams tackle or don’t. It’s want to… I don’t question Barber’s “want to” Most of the D packed it in after that London trip (what the hell happened over there, huh???).
We played a ton of man to man this year and that means Barber had his back to QB/RB for draws, screens, etc….Buc’s fundamentals as a team sucked this yr and but i would argue Barber did a good job shutting down receivers, especially when Aqib was hurt.
– TGonzalez / RWhite
– SWhite
– Dbryant
to name a few. He was our go to guy and by all accounts from every commentator calling the game they stated he was playing at a very high level. He could play in a nickel role and be a leader. Look around, even if we draft a CB high AND bring in a quality corner, Ronde will be better than our 3rd.
I saw Ronde makin plays throughout the year and very rarely giving Quarter. He can return from an arm injury to work in a limited roll and me what this team desperately needs… a Leader – 20 is a true buc warrior
January 7th, 2012 at 8:49 pm
sorry – SSmith* Steve Smith
January 7th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
It’s gonna be really hard to see Ronde go….he’s the only guy left from our good days as a franchise.
January 7th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
@K1ng You can argue all you want, but it doesn’t change the fact that Barber was awful this year. He couldn’t tackle nor cover anyone. Allowed a QB completion percentage of 65%, near tops in the league in reception yards allowed, 3rd in the league in YAC, top that with 22 missed tackles and you have a terrible season performance.
The numbers and my eyes agree. I have objectivity backing my words. What is backing yours.
January 7th, 2012 at 9:09 pm
1. we need a real free agent MLB like Hardy to come in and give our D a pulse.
2. (2) quality CB’s that can play and be effective right now.
3. Darren Friggin Sproles look-a-like!!! You don’t have to be Bill Walsh to see a change of pace RB to get into space.
4. DeSean Jackson.
5. Decent ROG and move Zut to Center
IMO – let’s go, come on Glazers/MD… LET’S GET THIS TEAM GOING!!! GO BUCS
January 7th, 2012 at 9:10 pm
@TheProsUseAdvoCare – we see things differently… i say he plays until he says he’s done
January 7th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
I just watched the Texas vs. Bengals game today. Jonathan Joseph is such a good player! I’m very pissed that we didn’t sign him. Our secondary is horrendous.
Barber should stay in a backup role.
January 7th, 2012 at 9:49 pm
IF we stay at #5 we should draft Claiborne out of LSU. He will be the best cover corner to come out since Neon Deion. IMO. He instantly helps our secondary and makes them better. Then trade our next years #1 pick to get Alabama’s OLB Courtney Upshaw. Put him on the Outside with second year MLB Mason Foster and our LB core is a ton better. He probably will be drafted in the late teens so we would have to give up something else besides just a #1 from next season. But it would be well worth it to get Upshaw. He is compared almost exactly to Lamar Woodley. Enough Said!
Then with our second round pick draft LaMichael James from Oregon. He is the speed back we have needed for years now. James and Blount would form a top RB tandem in the league. James can run inside the tackles and also pop it to the outside and take it to the house! Thats something we have severely missed, and think how much he helps out Freeman because of that aspect.
In the 3rd round we need to address another defensive player. We really should draft a Safety in this spot if the right guy is there. Maybe someone like FS Robert Lester from Alabama or SS Antonio Allen from South Carolina if he’s still there or SS from Cal Sean Cattouse or SS from Notre Dame Harrison Smith.
Mark Barron from Alabama or Markelle Martin from Oklahoma State would be great pick ups. But they both might be gone by the time we are on the clock in the 2nd round. But even if they both are still there, I would still take LaMichael James for sure. I think James HAS to be in a Bucs Jersey for atleast the next 5 seasons!!!! He can do great things for our team!!!!
January 7th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
@Patrick…yea I was heart broken this past off season when he signed with Houston for like only 7 or 8 million a season. And now he is on his way to a pro bowl and we have the worst secondary in football!!! But my above post fixes that if Dom. followed my draft strategy. HAHA but yea Joseph was a steal for Houston. Yet another stud the Glazers dropped the ball on.
IF/When we cut Haynesworth and take off his 7.2million dollars from our salary cap. We will have 85.8 million bucks which will be in the bottom 5 in the league. We have to spend money this offseason and the Glazers need to guarantee to our new coach that they will spend the cash this time around. We have too. This draft class will fill in a couple spots and our last 2 drafts have been successful. So one more successful draft class and maybe 3 or 4 good FAs. Not the older end of their time for a bargain players. Young up and coming guys who will cost a little bit more. Do you duedilligence and make the right pick ups Dom.
January 7th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
And I would be in favor of picking up Desean Jackson in FA. Its pretty clear Philly isn’t going to franchise him. So its looking like Unrestricted Free Agency for a game changer. But he wants to go back to the west coast so we would have to throw a ton of loot to have a chance. Probably not gonna happen!
January 7th, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Geez, you’re gonna miss some tackles when you have to make all of them. There were times during the year when he made a tackle for loss simply by outsmarting the opponent. I say let him play if he wants. Leave him in the nickle. He’s still the best blitzer and run stopping player we have
January 8th, 2012 at 9:08 am
Barber has earned the right to play another year if he wants to. IMO
January 8th, 2012 at 10:33 am
Barber was picked on all year….he has rapidly declining abilites…hopefully there will be a VERY VERY competive training camp next summer…if he is good enough fine otherwise we need to move on. I am a long time ST holder and the week before Raheem was fired was asked by the Bucs to fill out a 20 minute Q&A about all sorts of Buc related things…at the end someone of the responders would be selected to recieve a signed jersey from any active player..I chose Ronde
January 8th, 2012 at 10:59 am
@ FuNkYxMuNkEy never ever, ever trade away a first round pick. That’s crazy we did that a few times in our past with dreadful results. Trading a first for a first is okay, but to trade away your next years first round choice. Puts teams into a big hole that’s hard to fill. I’d say no thank you.
January 8th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
@RustyRhino
Normally I would never trade away future 1st. But to be able to get Courtney Upshaw would be worth it without question. He would give us a Lamar Woodley OLB to pair with Foster. We would be set at 2 of the 3 LB spots. I’m all for getting this guy!!! We could also just drop out of the #5 spot and trade back if Claiborne is gone at pick 5. We could get him that way. But if Claiborne is there at 5 then he is our pick for sure. But I would get Upshaw anyday of the year for a future pick that you have no clue what it’ll be. It could be the #1 pick in next years draft or could be #28 or something close to that. Upshaw is worth it!!!
January 8th, 2012 at 1:58 pm
Blackmon or Claiborne ? that is a really difficult choice if it’s there to make