Recent Player Moves A Factor For Barber
May 9th, 2013
Former Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber (boy, that feels weird for Joe to write) appeared on “The Opening Drive” this morning with co-hosts Bob Papa and Ross Tucker on SiriusXM NFL Radio to discuss his career and factors that led to his retirement.
When pressed, Barber confessed recent player acquisitions by Bucs rock star general manger Mark Dominik helped steer Barber to his decision to retire; but it was not a major factor.
“It’s been a good couple of weeks to finalize this decision. I had a great run at it, far more than I could have ever expected. Coming to the end on my own terms is pretty important for me. I had the opportunity to continue to play. Mark [Dominik] and Greg [Schiano] have been good, letting me decide. They wanted me to play and I don’t doubt that at all. It was not lip service.
“I had a chance to play in one place for the entirety of my career. I had a lot of peers that weren’t able to do that.
“A lot (weighed in the decision). Not as hard of a decision as I thought. After the [2012] season, I was content either way. I probably could have been talked back in. But I’m 38 years old and this team is building in a different direction. Could I have contributed? Absolutely. Would that have been an ideal situation? I don’t know. I would have had to figure that out in training camp.”
Joe thinks Barber was right. Go out on his own call; his decision. No need to go out playing special teams and being a second (third?) string player.
Segments of the interview can be heard by clicking the orange button below.
May 9th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
I’m certain Barber watched Farve, Marino, Montana, Jordan all stay past their prime and it was not pretty at times. Even Sapp’s and Tiki’s final days were hard to watch. Rhonde is making the right move bowing out of the game this way. I’ll miss #20 on the field, but looking forward to his takes if he chooses to go into the booth.
May 9th, 2013 at 12:13 pm
I wonder if coaching is in his future. as a student of film and breaking down an offense, he would bring much knowledge and class to someone.
May 9th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
A bittersweet day for all true Bucs fans, to say the least. The Philly dagger in the heart of the Vet will always stand out in my mind as the greatest single play in team history, it’s amazing to learn just now it was on a bum knee ( me being one of the 5% who are last to get the word). It’ll prolly take something truly remarkable to replace it & at 63, I don’t really expect it to ever happen for me.
Thanks for everything, Ronde, may you have good health & a great start to your new career , whatever it is. I’m sure you’ll attack it the same way you did McNabb.
May 9th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
He always played special teams, even in the latter years. Referencing special teams as “we-fense”. He was an iron man DB, and if there is ever another player of his caliber in Tampa at any position, I will be happy.
Sorry to see him go, but it was his decision, and the team is moving in another direction, but who are they? We will see very soon.
May 9th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
still holding out hope that he has a change of heart late in training camp and the team can make room for him. for alot of these veterans, they still love to play, they just can’t see themselves going through the preseason grinder one more time
May 9th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
“Barber said there were a lot of factors in his decision but it was just time. Nothing to do with Bucs adding players.” – PR
Ronde must have told different people different things :/