Let Ronde Barber Retire
March 10th, 2013
On the surface, it appears Bucs great Ronde Barber is keeping the Bucs in a holding pattern as he weighs his decision to come back for one more year or to hang up his cleats.
Joe is torn. He would love to see Barber return. At the same time, Joe believes Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and coach Greg Schiano should proceed as if Barber is gone. To do otherwise is painting yourself into a corner.
Enter Tampa Tribune columnist Martin Fennelly. The longtime sports voice of Tampa Bay believes it is best for all parties if Barber would just announce his retirement after a proud NFL career.
The Bucs, looking to avoid another butchered goodbye to one of their icons, have made the smart play. They’ve apparently told Barber they wanted him back, but promised him no starting job. It’s up to him.
That should be Barber’s cue. It’s more than Derrick Brooks ever got. Man, did the Bucs mess that up. We don’t need that to happen to another good man.
It is an interesting angle Fennelly touches. Shoot, just yesterday, Joe got a Twitter from a Bucs fan suggesting Barber’s final offer from the Bucs was more than Brooks got; nerves are still raw from Bucs fans about how Brooks left the team.
This very well could be the best exit for all parties. Barber walks away, his body intact, his memories intact, his play still better than many. No team-hopping for two years in a desperate attempt to hang on to a career when Father Time, who is undefeated, thinks it’s better to turn the page.
Joe would welcome Barber back for one more lap around the NFL. The Bucs, however, should proceed as if he is retired.
March 10th, 2013 at 8:30 am
Absolutely 100% agree. Ronde needs to decide soon. Even if he comes back it will only be for a year and we will need a player or players in development to replace him.
It would be better if he came back and helped with that development.
March 10th, 2013 at 8:45 am
Ronde’s in a good but tough spot b/c he’d get a job immediately as an NFL Broadcaster and still be involved with the game (if he wanted to). So, money wouldn’t be the issue with him…it’s whether or not he wants to go thru another training camp & grueling summer.
March 10th, 2013 at 9:10 am
Barber still has value so why not move him back to his old position, only as a Nickel. He could even blitz from time to time. Barron moves back to his old position as well and everybody is happy (well, I am). Barber has another year to help train the young guys and has a better chance of preserving his health. Let’s do it!
March 10th, 2013 at 9:25 am
Agreed Joe, even though his experience and leadership would be sorely missed unless we get another veteran to replace him.
March 10th, 2013 at 10:11 am
Ronde showed that he had lost a step ( or two) in his last year at CB in 2011. Safety is the only place he can compete today.
March 10th, 2013 at 10:21 am
Deerrick Brooks is a Martyr for the way Dom and Glazers cut him loose.
March 10th, 2013 at 10:25 am
Hey Joe is there anymore news on the Revis front? I just read that the Bucs are close, is that true
March 10th, 2013 at 10:36 am
I wonder if Barber could segue into a part-time coaching gig, & hang around as depth like the old taxi squaders??
March 10th, 2013 at 10:47 am
LOVE Barber but the fact that they did not promise him a starting role is fairly clear that they believe that they can at minimum use an upgrade at the FS spot. Can’t say I disagree. Having a beast of a guy like Adrian Wilson or Goldson back there lighting people up with Barron would be light years better. Congrats on Ronde having a fantastic career though, he kept his athleticism far longer then Derrick Brooks. Brooks absolutely fell off a cliff after 10yrs. Like he completely LOST it. Guys like Ronde, Ray Lewis, Champ Bailey, London Fletcher have still played at a pro bowl level after 10 yrs
March 10th, 2013 at 11:33 am
Cannuckbuc where did u hear or read we were close. Last I heard is that the broncos came from nowhere and are really interested in Revis. We won’t land Revis and smith or will we?
March 10th, 2013 at 11:52 am
Canuck:
Read where?
March 10th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
@joe that’s what I said lol I doubt we ever get that answer
March 10th, 2013 at 12:10 pm
Brooks stayed a year (at least) too long. Too bad the way it was handled but such is life.
March 10th, 2013 at 12:15 pm
Whaaat? *Sigh*
We had one person in the secondary, who played at a high, NfL, level
Ronde Barber.
The rest played like a bunch of 7th round picks, or undrafted Free agents. Which is what there were. And while I’ve never thought a 7th round pick could be considered a bust- but some of those guys should be considered a bust!!
One exception was Mark Barron. He played like a first round bust- who should have been a 7th round pick!! Hitting the “rookie wall” at game 5?!?! Are you kidding me! Despite the Buc propaganda machine singing his praises- this kid was invisible after game 5, and gave his reps to Ahmed Black.
He’s young, and hopefully has a (huge!) turnaround this season. It’s possible
Thank God for Martin and David!!
The Bucs have no right to rush Ronde. He has earned the right to take his time. It’s not his fault that we have no one but him in the secondary. The Bucs have done a horrible job of ( not) building an NFL secondary. They should have been preparing for Ronde’s retirement!
Instead- they are desperate for him- at age 37- to return. IF they sign some free agents, that may change. But there are no guarantees there. Look at last years CB signing. Wright was a terrible CB, even without the drug issue! And seems like everyone in the NFL BUT Dom knew it!
IF they sign a couple REAL CBs, then things change. If they can’t- then they better draft 4 rookie CBs- and offer whatever it takes to get Ronde to come back- including dates with their wifes!!!
If they sign some good CBs, Ronde still neds the right to return. Because he is still a very good DB. Unbelievably, at the age of 37!
I know that- because I actually watch the games. I don’t need anyone else’s opinion. The Guy has still got it!
March 10th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Herd Bronco’s now in te hunt for Revis.
March 10th, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Ronde will either retire this year or next, the plan today should be to move on without him.
Its seems the Bucs are trying to give him a gracious way to retire
Ronde can retire today knowing he had a great career, but all good things must come to and end. I would like to see if he could be a good TV announcer like Lynch has become. I feel he would bring some good insight to the game if he were to move to the broadcast booth.
March 10th, 2013 at 2:01 pm
I heard somewhere, that The Vatican is trying to get Revis! Want him to be next Pope. Mighta been on BSPN
March 10th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
Think you guys are looking at the Barber think all wrong! You really think the Bucs are playing hard ball with him?? Really
Try this
Dom( on knees, crying, clinging to Ronde’s leg) ” ya gotta come back Ronde!! Ya gotta! Who am I gonna Start??? Gaitor? Gorrer?? Biggers?? I got nothing! Ya gotta help me!! Do it for the Team!!”
Ronde(trying to break Dom’s grip) “stop It!! I’m 37 years old- in to old for this- I wanna go into broadcasting. I told you last year, don’t count on me this year! You shoulda signed somebody, and drafted Claibourne!!. I’ve done my share for Team and Town!”
Dom(sobbing uncontrollably) I TRIED!! I signed wright! But he sucked as bad as the rest, and started doing drugs with Talibum!! I wanted to draft Claibourne, but Dallas moved up one spot ahead of me, and stole him!!
If you don’t help me Ronde- the Glazers will fire my ass!! I got kids- ya gotta help me ! Ya gotta!!”
Ronde( breaking free) ” I told you, I’d think about!! But you better sign somebody that knows how to play CB this time!! I’m sick of bailing you out! Stop calling every 30 minutes! I’ll call you when I’ve decided!”
Dom( still sobbing) whatever you say, Ronde, whatever you say!
Lol- I think it’s alot more like this. The Bucs got nothing for DBs. Think they are praying he comes back. They have needs. He doesnt
March 10th, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Hey guys sorry but I jumped the gun after reading on (Bleachers) that the Bucs were the dark horse to watch in the Revis deal.Again sorry for jumping the gun.
March 10th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
I’d retire if I were him, how many more losing seasons can he take?
March 10th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
I’d retire if I were him, how many more losing seasons does he have to take?
March 10th, 2013 at 4:51 pm
screw that ronde is one the best bucs ever and our best coverage db. what sense does it make to dump barber because barron cant cover? both safeties will be exposed against someone like brees..its not rondes fault barron looks bad. we need corners. seeing joe buc preach this crap along with the idea of letting bennett walk is sad. that would be the picture of a bad organization. bennett is an up and coming force..young and still improving and bareber is HOF.
March 10th, 2013 at 6:13 pm
T hey just don’t make Popes like they used to. Poping ain’t easy.
March 10th, 2013 at 6:51 pm
Capt Tim, your posts are so idiotic they make me tired. That last gem of a post you have up was…Actually I don’t know what that was. Please stop
March 10th, 2013 at 10:42 pm
RW’s Thong- lol, Revis has been linked everywhere else- why not
Tampa2IQpoints- sorry, but no. But I would like to thank you for all you intelligent and witty commentary!
Lets list them
1) . . .
Just keep reading mine. Someday, you’ll actually begin to understand what they are talking about- and you’ll be really glad you hung in there.
It’ll be an epiphany!
March 10th, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Tampa2IQpoints- where did anyone state that Barber was not assured a starting spot? Neither Dom , nor Barber have said that! The only place anyone said that, was reporters “speculating”. That means they are guessing what may have been said. Like yourself- they have No clue what the truth is.
While several have spun it that Barber wants to return, and the Bucs are hesitant- it more likely that the Bucs need Barber far more than he needs them
There is never any guarantee that you will sign a FA. Then we have horrible returning Cbs, and 2 or 3 rookies. Not gonna win that way.
“Lighting People up with Barron” whaat? Did you watch Barron last year??
Gotta be going strictly off the Bucs PR page!
Seem to have a little trouble differentiating people’s opinions from reality, don’t ya??
That’s gotta make life tough, huh champ?