More Depressing Ronde Barber Analysis
April 30th, 2013
Yesterday, Joe brought the words of Woody Cummings of The Tampa Tribune who believed, if Bucs icon Ronde Barber were to come back, it would almost certainly be in a backup role.
Well today, ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas has even more depressing look at the situation. He’s of the belief that for Barber to come back, he would have to play some special teams roles. That may end the Bucs playing days of the best cornerback to wear a Bucs uniform.
Ronde Barber. The Buccaneers say they still want the veteran defensive back to return for another year. But in what capacity? He’s not going to start at free safety because the Bucs signed Dashon Goldson. A return to cornerback is possible, but Barber likely would be behind Darrelle Revis, Eric Wright and rookie Johnthan Banks. Backup safeties and fourth cornerbacks almost always have to play special teams. Do you honestly see Barber doing that at this point in his career? If he wants to keep playing, there might be a place or two where he can still be a starter and that could mean he won’t play his entire career with the Bucs.
The NFL is not high school nor college. Loyalty, for better or worse, is “What have you done for me lately?”
Lately, Barber has been waffling, struggling, on what decision he should make; return to the Bucs, try to land someplace else, (which he has all but ruled out) or retire?
While Barber has been contemplating his future, the Bucs went out and got the best safety on the free agent market, traded for the best cornerback in the NFL (when healthy) and spent their highest draft pick this spring on another corner.
Joe cannot blame the Bucs here. To let an offseason go by while waiting for Barber to make a final call and not to upgrade what was a grotesque pass defense would have been irresponsible.
Joe would love to see Barber come back for one more last lap in the sun. It’s beginning to look more and more as if that final turn has already happened.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
Seeing as the Bucs had an almost historically bad defense, that 2 other division rivals require 3 CBs on the field at all times, and that in general the game has been severely slanted to the pass game, even if Ronde is the 4th CB that means he’ll probably still see the field 50%+ of the time.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Can’t help thinking that Ronde might be better than Wright if all those “issues” aren’t cleared up and Banks takes the 2nd spot. Shorter field and an area he loves to play. Just a thought I guess..
April 30th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Before people put words in my mouth, first let me start by saying I’m a huge fan of Barber’s. That being said, I don’t understand this months long decision. People say he’s earned that right. Even Schiano and Dom said that in public. In private, however, I can’t imagine they were all that happy with Barber dragging it out. If someone doesn’t commit, you have to go about your business as if that person isn’t coming back.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:27 pm
Dry your eyes little gipper.
Ronde will go to cornerback heaven.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:28 pm
lightningbuc:
It’s clearly a difficult decision for Barber. Yeah, he earned that right. That doesn’t mean the Bucs should have been held hostage as a result. Dominik and Schiano did the right thing: Proceed as if he retires. If he comes back, icing on the cake.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:30 pm
I think Rhondea (sp?) decides to hang it up at this point. He’ll see playing time, but he won’t be at the top of the depth chart anymore barring a preseason injury or Barron really stinking it up.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
I hope Ronde comes back if only because I think the Bucs will be a playoff team this coming season and I’d love for him to retire with a chance to make some postseason noise.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
It’s funny how media types can talk out of both sides of their mouths.
Prior to the draft and free agency there was talk that Barber would retire because of the shoddy state of the Bucs secondary, not wanting to spend another year getting shredded by opposing QB’s and playing alongside low-level DB’s.
Now after adding Revis, Goldson, Banks and re-signing Wright suddenly he’s going to retire because the Bucs secondary is too damn good and there’s no place for him.
This cracks me up. So which is it? You can’t have it both ways Yasinskas, Cummings, et all. It’s either one or the other. Stop your waffling and your lame “analysis” and learn a thing or two. I for one am sick of opinions that vary depending on which way the wind is blowing or which side of the bed someone woke up on. Get it straight or shut up already.
April 30th, 2013 at 2:47 pm
I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that the reason he is having a hard decision with this is that he has three options:
1. Returning to us is a reduced role.
2. Signing a 1-year contract with the Dallass Cowgirls where he will be reunited with Monte Kiffen. I would hate for this to happen as I cannot stand the Cowgirls.
3. Retiring
April 30th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
I’m thinking this has all already been worked out. I’m thinking Barber signs for around $2 million, but later on… half way through training camp even. He pulls a Favre in the sense that he doesn’t need to sweat his ass off for 3 weeks at TC, and then he’ll come back and play Nickel and Dime packages while he hangs out and enjoys his farewell tour.
April 30th, 2013 at 3:00 pm
Better for Banks and LJ to have snaps at this point and play as a unit. The future has arrived.
Farewell to a truly great Buccaneer.
April 30th, 2013 at 3:01 pm
Bring Ronde in as your nickel slot corner and blitz specialist. Have Banks play special teams in Ronde’s stead this year.
April 30th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
I would agree with Rob that behind the scenes Ronde has already worked it out with Dominik & Schiano. I also believe he will return, because he sees the Bucs putting in some impressive effort into improving this team and winning now. I’m sure that’s what he was waiting to see.
April 30th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
I’m Hopin he comes back. Probably wont tho. Sad as it is, did the Cowboys. (Normally Cowgirls but don’t want to disrespect Monte Kiffin)did they pick up a safety? Could be nickle there. I hope he comes back n is our nickle at least. Let wright n Johnson battle it out for the 4 spot. He’s the last thread left! Haha. Oh have I missed anything about the whole Revis number thing?
April 30th, 2013 at 3:17 pm
“waiting to see”…….Now there’s a concept!
April 30th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
That said… I keep forgettin bout that start streak. How important is that? Could be beat out the rook?
April 30th, 2013 at 3:35 pm
I thought I saw Rhonde playing special teams last year at RJS. I’m fine with him playing special teams and utility db. Depth was a glaring weakness for us last year. Let him have his retirement tour and go out with style. This would be alot better karma for the Bucs than the way the Glazers did D. Brooks.
April 30th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
I really wish he would just retire. Too many times last year I watched his man blow by him. While the whole secondary was bad, he clearly was not a bright spot. He’s a great player and an all time buc, but its time for him to retire.
April 30th, 2013 at 5:05 pm
We are assuming Barber would be a back-up if he comes back, but that might not be what the Buccs told him. If the Buccs told him he could come back and compete for a starting job, and given a fair chance, I’m sure Ronde could accept the offer. All he demands is a shot to start, like any other player.
April 30th, 2013 at 5:08 pm
I think Ronde ws waiting to see what the Bucs did in Free Agency and the draft.
Whether he was anting to see if he would have a serious role, or if the Buc were making a serious attempt for a championship is debatable, but I think it leans toward the former.
I would love to see Ronde come back, but it is looking more and more as though he will not. I hope he is at least offered a chance to help coach secondary if he chooses nt to play.
April 30th, 2013 at 5:15 pm
I wish more players would retire at the beginning of the year, rather than the end. I think there’s something more dignified about doing the “tour” than to keep the world waiting in the summer.
April 30th, 2013 at 5:23 pm
The decision process really started after the draft when Barber could finally see what he had to work with. Patience.. 😉
April 30th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
Ronde has been playing on special teams his entire career, more or less. even when he was playing every defensive snap he was out there on kickoffs trying to make tackles. i think the biggest obstacle is what favre and so many others struggled with – everybody wants to be in an NFL uniform on Sunday, but what pushes people away from the game is the Tuesday to Saturday grind
April 30th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Thank you everybody for being respectful to the GOAT. Classy move by the Glazers to let him make the choice.
April 30th, 2013 at 6:36 pm
I think bucrightoff nailed it with the first comment.
Also, he played special teams last year. He isn’t above it.
April 30th, 2013 at 6:42 pm
Retiring from the NFL is a very difficult thing for a player who can still play to do & I don’t think Ronde will retire. I think he would rather play a reduced (but important) role with the Bucs than play a year somewhere else…..to me playing somewhere else doesn’t seem right for Ronde.
I hope he does return. That will give us tremendous depth at Safety & Corner…..enough that perhaps we could trade Eric Wright mid season (low contract) and at least get something for him because I don’t think he will be back. If he plays well….too expensive….if he doesn’t….don’t want him.
April 30th, 2013 at 8:54 pm
Ronde will retire. C’mon people he’s done. We need to move on,he is the best corner in Buc’s history. He was savy enough to play in space. Even thou he probably can only run a 4.9 40. Will he be affective a year older and a 4.95 40 guy? He did bounce back to have a good year at safety last year. But 2011 as a corner he was horrible. Almost lead the league in missed tackles.
April 30th, 2013 at 9:27 pm
What are you talking about?? All this ” held hostage” and” Bucs forced to wait” stuff is rediculous. The Bucs have proceeded to build a team. If anyone is “waiting” to “build team” around a 37 year old DB- they wouldn’t be employed in the NFL for more than a month.
Barber is a luxury. Don’t depend on a player his age. If he decides to come back- he is still the best slot CB we have. He is miles better than Wright. If actually watched a game- and didn’t see that- then you don’t know what you are looking at.
Barber was still our best cover DB last year. Not just my opinion- but every analyst last year said he was the ONLY CB who could cover anyone- that includes the all equally horrid, nausea inducing collection of Talibum, wrong way Wright, “big cushion” Biggers, late leaping Lequan, skinny Gaitor, Myron” porcelain” Lewis.
April 30th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
He’s not coming back. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of Buc greats and one of my all-time favorites. In a way, I’m glad he’s going out with his health intact. The Philly game and late season swoon last year did him in IMO.
April 30th, 2013 at 9:33 pm
Damn phone! –
So, if Barber wants to return- he has more talent than all but two of our CBs. He’ll be better than Wright at 80, with a walker.
He still has talent to offer- just limit his snaps- and use him wisely!
Of he doesn’t want to return- then he retires- an all time great Buc, and a hall of famer!
Me? If its 4 and goal, Atlanta ball- 10 seconds left- I would rather see a 48 year old Ronde barber on the field, near the line- ready to cover the slot or rush the QB- than any other DB we have , not named Revis or Banks
April 30th, 2013 at 10:22 pm
Um- “38”.
I’m a big Ronde fan- but, even for me, 48 is pushing it!!
May 1st, 2013 at 12:12 am
[If it’s totally off topic, then why post it? In three different threads in fact? Spamming this site isn’t cool. — Joe]
May 1st, 2013 at 7:31 am
Ronde…we need you back. As fans. Period.
I’m not ready for you to retire and I’d wager I’m not the only one.