Schiano Says No Barber Move To Cornerback
November 27th, 2012
It looks like the Bucs definitely will dance the rest of the season with the Fearsome Foursome at cornerback, aka “E.J., Leonard, Danny and LeQuan,” as Greg Schiano referred to his often overmatched CBs.
It’s not “in the cards” for Ronde Barber to play cornerback this season and help fill the void left by pill-poppers Eric Wright and Aqib Talib, so Schiano said during his WDAE-AM 620 radio show yesterday.
“I’d rather not,” Schiano said of Barber playing corner. “I think Ronde’s doing a great job at safety and one that we really need him there. I don’t think that’s in the cards. But the nice thing is you have a guy that’s capable if you ever had to as an emergency corner.”
First, Joe must say that Barber is, at times, on the field with Mark Barron and Ahmad Black. Barber’s definitely in a cornerback role when that happens. But the message from Schiano is clear: Barber’s staying put.
Joe’s unsure whether this is knock on Black.
Schiano often has talked about putting the best 11 men on the field. And Joe would venture to say that trading Black for Barber at safety and moving Barber to cornerback to replace, for example, Danny Gorrer, would put more talent in the defensive backfield for the Bucs.
November 27th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
It is simple. Barber is playing at a pro bowl level at safety. Why would you move him?
November 27th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
This “Barber’s a Pro Bowl safety stuff” is a bunch of hype. The guy’s very average but makes a couple of plays a game, which makes him above average overall. I’d rather see him bring that to corner and let Black get his shot.
November 27th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
Barber is playing well at safety..arguably better than most across the league.
But that said, Barron and Black at safety and Barber at CB is better than Barron and Barber at safety and Lewis\Gurrer at CB.
November 27th, 2012 at 2:15 pm
Barber is too old to keep pace with any WR. That’s why he moved to safety!
November 27th, 2012 at 2:26 pm
I don’t thnik Barber could play more effectively at CB IN THIS DEFENSE than Biggers and Johnson. Just my opinion. He has more smarts but they are more athletic and speedy at this point.
I see 2 new CBs being singed and drafted next year. and the Safety position looks to be in good hands with Barron and Black and Barber ( I do think Barber comes back one more year)
November 27th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
We already exceeded expectations. I don’t want to see Wright in another game. We have something to build on and at least our group of struggling corners are true to our team. We may not make the playoffs, but we know the people on the field are not going to jeopardize the rest and we know who will be on the field barring injury. We will get our secondary strengthened out this off season. Let’s just keep fighting to the end. Gooo Bucs!!!
November 27th, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Barber struggles to man-cover TEs and WRs. He is not fast/strong/big enough for CB anymore. He is playing great at FS. Let him move during nickel packages when necessary, but keep him a FS.
November 27th, 2012 at 2:36 pm
It is not hype. Barber is playing at a pro bowl level at FS. I have been critical of him at corner the last couple years, and was VERY skeptical about his move to FS. And after all that, I am telling you, BARBER IS PLAYING AT A PRO BOWL LEVEL AT FREE SAFETY.
November 27th, 2012 at 3:12 pm
I’m more worried about our red-zone and run game fizzling in the past 2 games. Our pass/pass-rush defense is what it is, and theres no changing that this season. That means the offense has to step it up and get TDs instead of field goals if we want to stay in the hunt. Especially when we’re on the 4 freaking yard line!
November 27th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
Dave..is “singed and drafted” kinda like “tarred and feathered”? Just a funny play on words and kinda appropriate, as well. I do agree with you…read today that both of the Bills starting CB’s become FA’s after this season…names escape me..Cason is one I think, but both are above-average CB’s, for maybe reasonable $.
November 27th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
It was Chargers, not Bills Cb’s..Antoine Cason and Quentin Jammer.
November 27th, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I would say most of us would be surprised if Wright is on the roster next year now that the Bucs have an out clause in voiding the contract.
We can re-dedicate that money to another FA DB. Though not ‘great’, I do like wright and he has value..but being constantly injured and popped once for PED’s – his stock took a major hit.
People will want to come here now…that is what Schiano has done for us among other things.
November 27th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
How is it that our old buddy Myron Lewis is still on the active roster, and is one of the actives every week, yet the HC didn’t mention him as one of the four CBs he’ll go to battle with over the next five weeks.
Sad that a seventh-round pick and three street FAs all get playing time over a third-round pick (67th player taken overall).
November 27th, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Teddy:
So long as Myron Lewis doesn’t play, so what?