“Much Needed And Refreshing Change To Our Defense”
May 20th, 2016
Ronde Barber likes the change at defensive coordinator and says the Bucs have stopped going through the “insanity thing.”
Iconic Buccaneer Ronde Barber, a man who blossomed under the glory days Tampa-2 defense and wore Bucs colors for 17 years, says replacing Mike Smith for Lovie Smith was a damn good move.
This will make the Lovie defenders cringe. The big names in the Tampa-2 mafia are sure to be taken back.
This is no joke. The cerebral Barber, who measures his words and doesn’t do a lot of interviews, let it fly yesterday on WDAE-AM 620.
Barber said he’s gotten to know new Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith since starting his broadcasting career three years ago, via TV broadcast production meetings, attending practices, etc., and Barber is overwhelmed by Smith’s greatness.
“Just the way he presents himself. The way he presents what he’s trying to get over to his players, I mean, I’ve never seen anything like it,” Barber said. I think we’re in for some much needed and, you know, refreshing change to our defense.”
Barber added that Smith’s great reign in Jacksonville as a coordinator and his early years in Atlanta are reflective of who he is as a DC.
Barber believes Mike Nolan changed the Falcons’ defense for the worse and it didn’t recover, in part because their pass-rush capability was and is significantly worse than the Bucs’.
Optimism should be flowing through Bucs fans, Barber said, and it’s because Tampa Bay made a wise coaching change and there’s enough talent for the “defense to improve mightily this year.”
Barber lamented that the Bucs could not get off the field when it mattered under Lovie.
“We needed a change. And that’s where the change came from. And that’s what Mike Smith hopefully brings to the table.” Barber said.
“We have changed. We’re not going through the insanity thing, trying to fix the same mistakes over and over and over.”
May 20th, 2016 at 7:16 am
AMEN!
May 20th, 2016 at 7:17 am
OH OH OHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! ANOTHER LOVIE BASHING OPPORTUNITY ALERT for the far right klan! Ha ha ha! It is so funny how this Joe creates the moniker coach my scheme and realist runs off with it like a woman with a brand new credit card and realist makes up tampa2 mafia and this Joe starts using it. You conservative types are a funny lot always looking for reasons to cry whine and complain about something. Well there’s so many of you up here this Joe will always feed the beast. Cry on town criers! Keep wallowing in the past. Funny thing though……Lovie did give you lots of ammunition. Even Captain obvious Barber finally weighed in. Lovie is gone and good riddance but long live the crying games.
May 20th, 2016 at 7:23 am
By the way how does Barber know the insanity thing is over? Every since they ran off Dungy and the rest of the assistants that made that defense great the Bucs have struggled to put up a consistently good enough defense year in and out. What’s he gonna say if Smith leaves for a head coaching job next season?
May 20th, 2016 at 7:25 am
Very insightful comments from one of best players in our history.
May 20th, 2016 at 7:49 am
Every year I fall for the optimism. Every year we get let down. I’m fighting it like hell to avoid the gut rot that comes with losing after being so optimistic. But it gets harder and harder every day. Kool-Aid is so yummy though and when its right in front of you, you cant help but gulp it down like a sad drunk at a dive bar!!
May 20th, 2016 at 7:50 am
Yap confirmed Lovie is a dope … How you lose opening day to Marcus Mariota!!! God that game was Terrible !!
May 20th, 2016 at 7:54 am
I stand up and applaud this Great Man!!! Have no doubt that this was not easy, and there might even be consequences for his betrayal of the Tampa2 Mafia!!!! This action alone could possibly hurt his eventual hall-of-fame!!! ( we all know who inducts them and has to appease the Tampa2 mafia to get access!!!)
This man who lasted beyond the Glory days of the Tampa2 defense and was the only one to play in a different defense!!! He could see the film and see that the Blue print has been out way to long to beat the vanilla Incompetent’s one defense!!! It was like watching an old guy with 3 wooden golf clubs trying to make the PGA!!!!!
I know some see my name and just turn red and see flames around here for whatever reason!!!! But just keep an open mind!!!! Listen to whatever one is starting to say!!! Wait until training camp when we will here the Players start to open up!!!! Were there other problems on this team? sure!!!! But the Bucs FIXED the biggest problem!!!!!
Thank you for taking a stand, and that is why Rhonde Barber is my favorite player!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2016 at 7:59 am
Thank you for your rational approach Ronde
May 20th, 2016 at 8:00 am
DavidbigBucsFan
Dungy was not ran off he FAILED…Dungy could not finish the job simple as that. Dungy’s offenses were as embarrassing as Lovie’s defense. The legend of dungy has eclipsed his actual accomplishments. The hall of fame has lost credibility putting dungy in ahead of more deserving candidates Tom Flores, Jimmy Johnson and Dan reeves…
I trust barbers assessment
May 20th, 2016 at 8:05 am
Jamael Orondé Barber
*Canton Bound
Career Stats
• Games: 232 out of 241 ← Ranks 19th All-Time for All Players
• Defensive Interceptions: 47
• Int’s Touchdowns: 8 ← Ranks 8th All-Time for Defensive Player
• Passes Defended: 166
• Force Fumbles: 15
• Fumble Return TD’s: 4 ← Ranks 4th All-Time
• Non-Offensive TDs: 14 ← Ranks 4th All-Time
• Sacks: 28 ← Insane
• Tackles: 1028 ← Deion Sanders Only Has 493
Fun Fact: April 19, 1997: Traded by Eagles as 1997 3rd round pick (66th overall) to 49ers for 1997 2nd round pick (57th overall, James Darling), 1997 6th round pick (190th overall, Antwuan Wyatt) and 1997 7th round pick (227th overall, DeAuntae Brown)
May 20th, 2016 at 8:08 am
Barber knows incompetent coaching when he sees it. As do a few of us fans.
May 20th, 2016 at 8:18 am
Think about this for a minute – Ronde’s Top 5 All-Time
NFL Career Non-Offensive Touchdowns Leaders
1. Devin Hester 20 (2006-2015) *
2. Deion Sanders+ 19 (1989-2005) HOF
3. Rod Woodson+ 17 (1987-2003) HOF
4. Ronde Barber 14 (1997-2012) *
5. Brian Mitchell 13 (1990-2003) *
May 20th, 2016 at 8:19 am
Quit the worry about Mike Smith leaving for a HC position with another team…..because, it will mean that he turned our defense around…..good teams always lose their assistant coaches…..it happens every year.
It will be about time a Bucs coach got a promotion somewhere.
May 20th, 2016 at 8:27 am
It’s nice to see one of our legendary players still show he cares about this franchise and wants theme to get back to relevant again. Because not every player does. Besides Sapp and Brooks, who else gives the two cents about this team?
And there’s no doubt in my mind that Ronde will absolutely make the HOF. the player I’m worried about is Lynch. Without a doubt one of the greatest safeties of all time, but I keep hearing that he’s gonna have a hard time getting in because he doesn’t have the goddy INT #s. Hopefully the ROH helps him out. And it still chaps my A$$ that the Glazes made Lynch walk while he was still in his prime. 4 consecutive pro bowls after leaving the bucs. Ugh. Thank Glazers. If it didn’t hurt enough making all others players walk like Sapp. I could understand getting rid of the bad guy. But the good guy? No excuse. I will never forgive them for that.
May 20th, 2016 at 8:30 am
DemBoyzFromDaBay727
Yeah the Hall is tough of safeties – would be a shame if he doesn’t get in.
May 20th, 2016 at 8:30 am
*on safeties
May 20th, 2016 at 8:43 am
“And it still chaps my A$$ that the Glazes made Lynch walk while he was still in his prime. 4 consecutive pro bowls after leaving the bucs. Ugh. Thank Glazers.”
I hear U – Equally upsetting was the fact that – they didn’t even try to replace him with a comparable player. A few years back – I had a great conversation w/Rodney Harrison about when he was released by San Diego (2003). I said bruh, Did Tampa even contact you after Lynch was released – He was nah bruh – Glad New England did though. (1yr $1MM)
May 20th, 2016 at 9:16 am
Ronde knows what he is talking about and I’m glad to hear it, this comment to me is like leaving a smoke filled room for a breath of invigorating fresh air. This guy doesn’t pull any punches. Go Ronde!
May 20th, 2016 at 9:22 am
I love Ronde. So refreshing, he’s not biased towards anyone. He calls it like it is.
May 20th, 2016 at 9:41 am
Some say that this is “vindication” for The Buc Realist!!! But it is not, Its a win for the TRUTH!!!!!! The Fact is that some of all the rosy picture of what was going on at 1 Buc was not quite true was it!!!!! Some want to know more of the truth, of where NFL GM Licht started doubting the Incompetent one!!!! I know it would be extremely difficult for Joe to get anyone on recored, but sources have revealed that Lovie did not want to coach at the Senior Bowl and acted like he was to good for it!!!!! It does not matter at this point!!! But it does help some understand. To those who are extremely upset at this point, I can only quote
“Look at yourselves. Go on, look at you. People of Buc Nation, you’ve been had. Hoodwinked! Bamboozled! Run amuck. We didn’t land on coach my scheme, coach my scheme landed on us!!!!!!! ”
Dave Chappelle, Men in Tights
May 20th, 2016 at 9:41 am
Ronde is the man…!!!!!!!!!
Everyone knows it… LOSER is GONE>>>
to Illinois
May 20th, 2016 at 10:05 am
Hey Joe, I think you have Mike and Lovie backwards here.
“Iconic Buccaneer Ronde Barber, a man who blossomed under the glory days Tampa-2 defense and wore Bucs colors for 17 years, says replacing Mike Smith for Lovie Smith was a damn good move.”
Love the sight, it helps me keep up with my beloved Bucs up here in the Farmville of America. Keep up the good work!
May 20th, 2016 at 10:11 am
Buc Realist..All you have to do now is place the hood over your head and your clown suit will be complete. I see you got your..Lovie tail wagging in this morning huh? Go git’em boy!
May 20th, 2016 at 10:13 am
DavidbigBucsFan….yes you’re right that far right conservative Barber needs to stop bashing Lovie.
May 20th, 2016 at 10:16 am
@buc1987
I sent you a pm thru the message board to a question you have been asking!!!!
May 20th, 2016 at 10:36 am
Oh I caught it Rheaist and I also saw Joe’s rant in the archives about it too. I was trying to get to the bottom of it the other day. I knew it had to be site related.
May 20th, 2016 at 10:41 am
A few fans don’t like Dungy or diminish what he accomplished here in Tampa.
I’m not one of them. I’m one of his biggest fans. Of course that’s only because he’s light skinned though…. 🙂
May 20th, 2016 at 11:57 am
1987 I know he’s not bashing him because the proof was in the pudding, but when do you guys stop living in the past and move forward? It does get tiresome reading your guys crap day in and day out. The same old schpiel every single day. S.S.D.D. You guys even take feel good stories as times to bash the man. I don’t see not one supporter of Lovie Smith up here with the ferocity of you guys. I supported him hoping he’d get one last shot but I am a realistic man and yeah it was truly time for him to go. Now you guys act like Koetter is the 2nd coming of Tom Landry or something. Though I ALWAYS want my boyz to win every game the wicked side of me wants to see him fail miserably just to see how you guys treat him.
realist you really make make yourself out to be the clown you are talking your conspiracy mess like this really is a matter of national importance or like it’s life changing information. I know I shouldn’t feed the beast which you are but you are more irritating that butt chaffe.
May 20th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
I love Ronde. I love the optimism, I’m optimistic too. I just hope it translates to the field.
We’ve had plenty of let downs in the past. No mas, por favor!
May 20th, 2016 at 12:31 pm
DavidbigBucsFan
i am not sticking up for 1987 he’s a big boy and can handle his own business but I find it funny you mentioned “living in the past” when you keep living in the past with Dungy references. Lovie had one successful season in his entire career yet you continue to defend the indefensible.
I respect that Dungy turned the bucs around and brought a winning attitude that being said he did not get the job done. His offensive philosophy was horrendous and cost the team wins every year. Dungy also has a very mediocre playoff record under .500. Compared to Jimmy Johnsons .692 playoff record or Tom Flores who has a .727 playoff winning percentage. Dan Reeves has a .523 over 23 years. He was a great influence on the bucs but his coaching was suspect at best. Bucs had 3 to 4 good years under dungy hardly enough to give him a blank check or treat him like Lombardi… The hall of fame is for the best of the best not nice guys, feel good stories or media favorites. I don’t hate dungy but he does not belong in the hall of fame….
May 20th, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Bucs had the 10th best defense in the league last year in yards. 26th in points. When you give up points but not yards that’s generally due to the other team having a short field.
Hopefully Mike works out and we don’t get those lazy soft Atlanta defenses or by next year we will be pining for the days of Lovie, the Jersey Trash and Morris.
May 20th, 2016 at 1:28 pm
Wow the Dungy haters are out for some reason, amazing those people still exist. I can only guess they were too young to know what the Bucs were like pre-Dungy and they probably think Gruden is the best coach ever because he’d make wacky faces.
May 20th, 2016 at 1:42 pm
Welp –
I guess some ex-players, certain media outlets that’s been covering the Bucs for some time won’t like what the future HOF said.
I wish I could be petty and name them all.
May 20th, 2016 at 2:35 pm
Barber has Ben my favorite nfl player since I started watching the bucs, a very intelligent guy and a great athlete. It’s refreshing hearing these words from him and gives me more confidence in Jason licht and his regime. It’s a shame he has not Ben inducted into the hall of fame yet and would be a crime if he never does. Joe should try and hunt down more barber feedback.
May 20th, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Rod Munch
Do not confuse FACT with HATE… Not one statement I made about Dungy is hateful or NOT ACCURATE… The legend of dungy is far greater than his actual accomplishments.
The only top 10 Lovies defense was in last 2 years was top 10 in most embarrassing defenses in NFL history. I don’t care what stat you want to quote that or spin the defenses Lovie fielded were embarrassing
May 20th, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Never forget the importance of Monte Kiffen!
I dare anyone say a bad word about Kiffen.
Gaaah head. Try it.
@David….blame Joe. He cranks em out and we just reply.
May 20th, 2016 at 4:56 pm
Yes I know his name is spelled Kiffin, but the e is famous.
May 20th, 2016 at 5:04 pm
How great is it to see what Rhonde Barber did!!! To break ranks from the Tampa2 mafia and give his honest opinion on a subject he understands better than anyone!!!! To know that the same mistakes were being made over and over and to know that they would have not been fixed this year as well!!!! I am thoroughly impressed!!!!!!!!! ( and that does not happen often!!!)
And to those who think the Tampa2 mafia is exaggerated, all I can see is what till the season begins. Wait until the first minute detail goes wrong and the Tampa2 mafia will be coming for the Bucs!!!! With “they should have kept lovie” and ” if this is the plan they should have had lovie”!!! I have warned you Buc fans!!!!!
May 20th, 2016 at 5:48 pm
Buc Realist, nobody here takes your comments seriously. To much liguid poured all over them. We always notice you don’t have much to say unless..its Lovie Bashing time. Then, you sound like Donald trump.
May 20th, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Mike Johnson Says:
“, nobody here takes your comments seriously.”
Rhonde Barber does!!!!!!!!!!
May 20th, 2016 at 7:49 pm
Give Lovie an edge rusher and a top draft pick corner and I would have loved to see what he did after having the defense finish 10th in the league last year. I seem to recall when the Bucs drafted only one defensive player people saying yeah, these Licht FA picks had better hit or these defense is in trouble. Yet it finished 10th, that’s pretty good.
Anywho it’s just amazing the hate of Lovie. If it came down to keeping Dirk or Lovie I was OK with the Bucs doing what they did, and hey if Mike Smith can do better than fantastic. But Mike Smith doesn’t have any recent success on defense – this isn’t a risk free pick. Lovie has a much better defense track record than Mike does. I just hope Licht handled this like the draft and not like he’s handled FA so far.
May 21st, 2016 at 10:47 pm
Note to Ron Munch… I see what this board is now. I’m a Bucs fan from way back when. The hate for Lovie is fueled by Joe himself. He knows the mere mention of Lovie Smith and the name he gave him, coach my scheme..just gathers the negative comments thus..more board postings. And you have the same 4 or 5 lead by Buc Realist who just cream at the nod to throw negative insults. So I doubt whether you can take most of these commenters serious. They have no idea what our franchise faces this season. And although much has been said about our new DC, his defenses looked terrible his last couple of yrs in ATL. As for Lovie, He will be fine. I doubt if he care now how we do one way or the other..as long as his checks keep rollin from the Glazers for the next 2 yrs. But don’t take this website seriously. It was never meant to be serious..just humorous..turned ugly. kinda like some political campaigns.