Ronde Barber’s Decision “Imminent”
May 6th, 2013
Well it seems Bucs legend Ronde Barber’s decision whether to come back for one (or two?) more season with the Bucs has been made.
The only thing left is for him to make his decision public.
That’s the word from Tampa Bay electronic sports czar J.P. Peterson, a confidant of Barber’s. Peterson appeared on WTSP-TV Channel 10 (one of Joe’s proud media partners) Monday night to discuss Barber’s status with Ch. 10 sports director Dave Wirth.
Peterson had a text conversation with Barber Monday night and Barber told Peterson his announcement on his decision is “imminent.” Peterson took that to mean Barber will announce his future endeavors within a few days.
Per Peterson, Barber was about to announce what his decision was last week, but didn’t want to interfere with the ceremony at One Buc Palace to announce Warren Sapp’s entry into the Ring of Honor and jersey retirement announcement.
Joe was there for that ceremony and amongst the many ex-teammates of Sapp’s in attendance; Barber was not among them.
If Barber comes back, it’s hard for Joe to see him starting, surely not at safety with the Bucs investing heavily in Dashon Goldson and Mark Barron. Joe’s not sure Barber would start at corner either, so long as Darrelle Revis is healthy and second-round pick Johnthan Banks has no issues learning the NFL game.
Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik told SiriusXM NFL Radio last Thursday he would welcome Barber’s return.
May 6th, 2013 at 11:57 pm
Pretty please, with sugar on top… come back Ronde! Two rings are better than one.
May 7th, 2013 at 12:08 am
I hope he returns as well. His leadership would be great. The experienced depth he provides might be enough for us to sustain a serious injury in the DB room and keep on trucking through to the playoffs. There is not very many negatives to his return. (At least for the Bucs.)
I said it before but he could go out like Ray Lewis with a second ring to end his career, just with less dancing.
May 7th, 2013 at 12:08 am
If he was coming back he wouldn’t have been so worried about interrupting Sapp’s ceremony. Happy trails.
May 7th, 2013 at 12:10 am
Coming back won’t be much of an interruption. Retiring would. Pretty sure that’s a big clue. Thank you, Ronde, for all your hard work. Watching the Bucs is my favorite past time and you’ve helped make my teens and adulthood truly enjoyable.
May 7th, 2013 at 12:14 am
Interesting point espo.
May 7th, 2013 at 12:14 am
I found a cool video of Ronde Barber and the rest of the CB group from last season.
enjoy
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-films-presents/0ap2000000118048/NFL-Films-Presents-The-old-man-in-Tampa-Bay
May 7th, 2013 at 12:15 am
ps I got it right this time Joe lol
May 7th, 2013 at 12:20 am
Of all of the great players from the Super Bowl 37 era, #20 has become my favorite. He arguably had the least amount of physical talent of all the Bucs greats, so his game became to soak up all he could, and to become physically conditioned enough to become an iron-man. My all-time favorite Buccaneers play from scrimmage was made by #20, and I’m sure that I’m not alone.
I’m curious as anyone as to what his decision will be, and I do want him back, but he’s earned the right to make this decision when he sees fit. Timing wise, this is the PERFECT time to make this announcement: The big name free-agency period is over, and the draft has come and gone.
If he decides to retire, his place in the Ring of Honor will just come that much sooner. Thanks #20, it’s been an privilege.
May 7th, 2013 at 12:24 am
Happy trails Ronde…thanks for all you have done.?..
May 7th, 2013 at 12:49 am
Yea I agree, he is done!! Thanks Ronde, still see you returning that pick to take us to the Super Bowl in the old vet!! You the man
May 7th, 2013 at 12:53 am
I cant imagine him returning as a backup unless he feels sure we are a serious super bowl contender this year (not likely) but we’ll know shortly.
May 7th, 2013 at 1:59 am
Now I understand why some say there post did not post. Wrote a masterpiece (lol) and clicked the submit bar—nothing for you-all to see and read. I still will be very sad to see Ronde retire.
If he does, it will just be another Buccaneer great pushed out by Dominik. He thought he did this on in a cool sly way but we are not fooled. May karma bite you in the ass Dominik!
May 7th, 2013 at 2:40 am
I think you all may have jumped the gun. I don’t think he would want to step on Sapp’s spot light either way. I think he maybe coming back for one more ride on that marry go round. It could be my Buc optimism I get the fever every year about this time.
May 7th, 2013 at 5:09 am
Really LadyZ? You actually think Dominik isn’t letting Ronde control his own fate? Is there some conspiracy going on behind the scenes to oust # 20? Don’t you think the job of a GM is to have a roster in place regardless of a 38 year old players’ decision? Ronde’s autographed “the pick” photo is on my wall; but that was over 10 years ago. Players do retire. Some like Barry Sanders (another great # 20) do it a little early. Others struggle with ending that phase of their life and hang on far too long. Ronde probably knows he can still play. But he also knows his skill level is declining and would not want to be remembered that way. I suspect he makes the announcement to retire. Unfortunately, you think Dominik and not a natural aging process is to blame. Guess that’s the way society is nowadays. We have to blame somebody.
May 7th, 2013 at 6:19 am
@Lady Z
Ronde was playing out of positon on one of the worst secondaries in NFL history and that sly Dom pushed him out?
It’s time for him to retire as one of the all time Buccaneer greats not a has been.
May 7th, 2013 at 7:02 am
Well according to the statements Dominik made to Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan, I am led to believe that Ronde will have a defined roll to play. That doesn’t sound like backup duty. Maybe they have created several defensive alignments to utilize Ronde’s strengths. Like rushing the passer …play some sort of hybrid role.
safety/corner/LB hybrid? Maybe blitz from the OLB position?
May 7th, 2013 at 7:31 am
pushed out the guys 38 ???????????????
May 7th, 2013 at 8:11 am
I truly believe that Ronde will be the veteran leadership that really helps steers the ship true north back to prominence in the NFL this year.
I hope he really studies the tape and sees that 8 games last year were lost by 7 or less, were winnable and we’ve corrected these problems with better players.
I want to see Barber come back and play one more season as he is one of my favorite Bucs of all time.
I’m going to go ahead and say it, I really do think the Bucs are contenders for the whole shebang next year.
May 7th, 2013 at 8:12 am
If he returns, he is still our third best option at CB- behind Revis and Banks. He is still way better than Wright. Just want to limit his snaps
He is very good covering the Slot. And he is better than Any DB we have at blitzing the QB! That is a skill that Shiano would miss.
But if he retires, he has earned it. And does so as one of the all time great Bucs.
I hope he returns. But either way, I have the utmost respect and admiration for him
Hope we name a road after him!! This guy has represented himself and Tampa with the greatest of class.
May 7th, 2013 at 8:18 am
Plus- on passing downs- Barber could replace Mark Barron.
While Barron is a good run stopper, he has been forced to hire an assistant.
His assistant tucks him at night, As Barron can’t cover his own as* with a sheet!!
Buuut, he’s young. May improve. But his coverage skills were the worst I’ve seen from any safety last year! He’d have to improve dramatically, to upgrade to “bad”!
May 7th, 2013 at 9:01 am
If i was him i would rather come back as a nickel and sub package db and be part of something that could be great than going out being a part of the worst secondary we have had
May 7th, 2013 at 10:35 am
I hope he comes back but if not i agree with Capt. Tim – Barber Blvd…
May 8th, 2013 at 10:48 am
Any chance Rhonde can play Tight End? He could be a good pass catching tight end…Just kidding, it made me smile though. On second thought, maybe there is something to that…