Barber’s Waiting Game
March 26th, 2013
Joe’s getting a real kick out of this waiting game Ronde Barber is playing. Yeah, like Joe’s supposed to believe Barber doesn’t know yet whether he wants to play in his 17th NFL season.
Speaking on NFL Network last night (here’s part of the video), Barber left virtually every door open for himself — including joining a team outside of Tampa — as he takes his sweet time deciding on the contract offer presented to him by the Bucs early this month.
So what’s Barber waiting for?
Joe has to believe Barber wants to know whether the Bucs will guarantee him a starting cornerback job. After all, every decent free agent cornerback is all but guaranteed a starting job before signing on the dotted line. Eric Wright would be an example of that last season. Why wouldn’t Barber, a durable veteran who can still make plays, want the same assurance?
Barber made it quite clear that the Bucs brass advised him they’d be active on the open market trying to upgrade the secondary but they wanted him back regardless.
Joe can’t blame Barber for wanting to see what the regime’s real intentions are before committing, though Joe is a bit surprised Barber’s ego hasn’t already driven him to sign the contract and be confident he can win a starting job.
And that brings Joe to Barber’s motivation. If Barber’s looking to be embraced with a starting gig, perhaps he would actually consider playing for a contender like Atlanta, New Orleans or San Francisco, strong teams in need of cornerback help. That would be a travesty.
March 26th, 2013 at 3:14 pm
Im sorry but I really do not think there is a chance of him playing elsewhere.
I doubt his decision will affect the team’s plans much, if at all. If he comes back, good. They still need an eventual, long-term replacement. If he doesn’t, they still need a long term replacement.
March 26th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
I would be shocked if Barber played elsewhere. Somehow I think that Ronde & the Bucs know what he is going to do and just aren’t publicizing it. I think he stays & starts. One of the reasons we haven’t signed a FA corner is because Ronde will start with Revis at the other corner position. With a couple of drafterd CBs we will have plenty of depth.
March 26th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
@ WestCoastBucsFan
I concur…
March 26th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
In that interview when he was talking about the Bucs he kept saying “we” “us” and “our.” Maybe he hasn’t disassociated himself from the Bucs yet mentally, but maybe he is also leaning towards coming back.
March 26th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
Barber as a Falcon or Saint? Don’t make me cry, Joe.
March 26th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
I think Ronde does want to play for a contender, as long as that’s the Bucs. Meaning if we do get Revis who shores up a good chunk of the secondary question, then he will re-sign to play a 3rd safety/nickel-back role for the team. A early round rookie would fill out the squad. People say we’re not one player away, but we are definitely a team that can put up points and can win a lot more games with some more 3rd down stops by the secondary. Barber wants to see if he can win with us this year.
March 26th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
I said it before, I believe Ronde is part of the Bucs smoke screen as per draft day.
March 26th, 2013 at 3:50 pm
I don’t think its too unfathomable to see Ronde donning a Redskins jersey alongside his good buddy Raheem. Hopefully the Bucs don’t drop the ball or insult him, otherwise it might be likely that he sign on with a different team.
March 26th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
I believe him when he says he hasn’t made up his mind. When in anyone’s normal day he’s tired or distracted, he probably doesn’t want to come back… but when he’s bored he wants to continue. I think it’s a tough decision.
March 26th, 2013 at 4:20 pm
No one is a bigger Barber fan than I am, but Ronde was moved to saftey for a reason. Ronde has always been able to use his football instincts to make up for his lack of speed & size. Father time is slowly catching up! His last year as a corner didn’t go well at all and now people want him to move back to that position. The game has changed in case some fans haven’t noticed. Size, speed and strength are more important now than ever for the corner position. WR’s are not only bigger 6’5/6’6, but also have the physical tools to out muscle their opponent. It’s sad to say, but I think Barber’s best role would be covering the slot on third downs or obvious passing down’s. That is where he’s always thrived.
March 26th, 2013 at 4:22 pm
No way will Barber play for another team….He’ll retire first! I’m sure he has a career waiting for him in broadcasting.
March 26th, 2013 at 4:27 pm
It looks like Barber will take all the time the Bucs will give him. After the Derrick Brooks debacle, it’s nice to see the Bucs handing this a little better. Barber might be a good candidate to move back to CB. he could play the nickel and essentially still be a starter.
March 26th, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Dude. He could still start. Just slide FS help to his side.
But only if Revis is on the other side.
Ronde will bring it every week. No doubt!
Hes our King!
March 26th, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Where did he leave the door open to play for another team? He said “basically a no” to playing for another team. Am I missing something?? Did he need to present a concrete block with “NO, I will NOT play for team with different colours other than red and pewter!”
March 26th, 2013 at 7:13 pm
Look Barber has his ring already, why does he need to go to a “contender”. This make no sense to me that Barber would leave to another team. Its sort of like Montana going to the Chiefs in his last years. It just doesn’t pass the eye test. I’m sure there is a lot of talk going on under this ice berg at One Buc. All will be revealed in good time.
March 26th, 2013 at 9:23 pm
My unnamed source says Barber has mostly made up his mind to play again already, but not 100%…more like 65-75% sure. He just wants to be sure.
And it isn’t about starting. While he would certainly not turn down the chance to start, he’s more about what’s best for the team. He wants to be used. Whether it is starting or mentoring or whatever…he wants to be sure he is active for games and is still playing well enough to serve as useful.
In his words “I want the best players on the team to start. If that means I’m not one of them, I’m fine with that. I want to be able to watch this team win when I’m retired, just like all the other fans.” (may not be a direct quote, but that’s the gist of it.
March 26th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
By the way…my unnamed source is me…and I’m 50% guessing, 50% going by Ronde’s previous comments.
March 27th, 2013 at 3:54 am
BuccaneerBonzai Said:
“By the way…my unnamed source is me…and I’m 50% guessing, 50% going by Ronde’s previous comments.”
do you happen to be a tailor?