Troubling Hall News For Ronde Barber
March 30th, 2017
Working the last eight months with sage columnist and esteemed NFL writer Ira Kaufman, Joe has learned big league politics are at play in the Pro Football Hall of Fame process.
Joe’s using the term “politics” in a broad manner, meaning all kinds of stuff happening behind the scenes influencing the selection process and votes. Joe’s not talking Chicago politics, aka bribes, hookers and scandals, but there’s plenty of angling and persuasion, like one might expect in any subjective process.
The 40+ voters Hall voters, Joe believes, put in an honest and commendable effort, but that doesn’t mean they’re not subject to influence. In fact, voters do loads of research and homework, and we all know that often leads to exposure to misinformation.
And that brings Joe to Ronde Barber.
If you listened to the Ira Kaufman Podcast today, then you heard Ira, Tampa Bay’s only Hall voter, share troubling news: Barber’s candidacy for Canton is off to a rocky start.
Ira was at the NFL Owners Meetings this week talking to fellow Hall voters — working the rooms and hallways like Perry Mason. Joe was pleased to send Ira to Phoenix to help him cultivate verbal ammunition for future Hall presentations of John Lynch and Barber, who is now eligible for the first time.
In the podcast, Ira explained that he talked to two members of the Hall of Fame selection board and neither believes Barber will be a finalist for the Class of 2018. That speculation means Barber wouldn’t make the final-15, the cut needed to be presented for an induction vote.
Ira said that’s a bad sign and he’s already hearing takes that Barber was a “system cornerback,” and that he wasn’t a cover corner. Overall, the vibe on Barber was mixed.
On the upside, Ira said he believes Barber will, in fact, make the final-15 cut, but there is work ahead to be done.
Joe’s just sharing a peak into the process. Perhaps Joe — or Team Glazer? — should send Ira on a paid sabbatical across the country to educate Hall voters on Barber, Lynch and Simeon Rice?
March 30th, 2017 at 11:08 am
Barber should be first ballot. If some voters didn’t see him play, then they shouldn’t be voting.
March 30th, 2017 at 11:13 am
I am not on the Lynch into the Hall nor was I on Dungy into the Hall but Ronde 100% deserves to be in the HOF, he is the all time leader in sacks and INTs at his spot, all time means greatest no question he should be in HOF, the bucs defense of that era gets snubbed because dungy sucked at running or wanting a capable offense and the bucs realistically should have had numerous SB titles during that time but dungy ball squashed that
March 30th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Use some insane stats – to validate your Pitch
Example
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
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) *
March 30th, 2017 at 11:24 am
system corner??? so tell me…. is joe Montana a system quarterback because of Bill Walsh west coast offense? is Terell Davis a system runningback because of mike shannahans zone running game? Since when are players production penalized by playing in one system and playing for one team their entire career? These “he’s a system player” voters need to kick rocks and give up their rights to vote if that’s their line of thinking….
March 30th, 2017 at 11:29 am
Deion Sanders has been the only critic of Ronde – consistently on a public forum.
An like sheep – beat writers take what he says like the word of God.
Ronde wasn’t just one of the best corners – but one of the best football players to have EVER played the game. A true NFL Iron man.
Note:
Folkz forget Ronde played special teams for most of career – and was a demon.
EL Certa
If I was Ira – I would Call Derrick Brooks, and have him speak to Deion.
Then hopefully Deion says have few positive words – on Ronde behalf (NFLnetwork)
March 30th, 2017 at 11:30 am
System meaning Ronde can’t cover good receivers one on one. He’s money in a zone D. But the pundits want traditional talent. Deion Sanders type of CB.
March 30th, 2017 at 11:31 am
A, they all can’t get inn. Speaking of CBs tho. Apparently the hawks are listening to teams about Possibly acquiring Richard Sherman. Wonder what you think Joe???
March 30th, 2017 at 11:32 am
Any voter NOT selecting Ronde should put down their joystick playing Madden NFL and go watch tape of Ronde how a real CB plays defense.
Who are these elite voters anyway Joe? Hard to imagine they would be veteran NFLers and hearing the kind of BS that your reporting.
March 30th, 2017 at 11:34 am
Remember another thing – unlike the Darrell Revis
Ronde has made the ALL-Decade Team
Case In Point
• NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
March 30th, 2017 at 11:36 am
C’mon NOS
Let’s not disrespect one of our Riddahs brotha – this is strictly about Ronde
March 30th, 2017 at 11:41 am
Also Unlike Deion
Ronde Made the Pro Bowl at Corner & Safety
March 30th, 2017 at 11:41 am
Just show them the tape of ronde’s interception against Philly to get us to the BIG SHOW!!
March 30th, 2017 at 11:42 am
Correction – My bad he didn’t make the Pro Bowl at Safety
March 30th, 2017 at 11:49 am
I know he a ridah Luv but my fear is the politics of it all will keep at least either him or Lynch out bro.
March 30th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
If they had won two superbowls I believe Ronde and Lynch both would be a lock. Having won just one I’m sole on both getting inn. Now when it comes to Sherman I believe its a legitimate question considering VH3 was conditioned in the slot last season. Not saying Licht is inquiring just putting my thought out there is all.
March 30th, 2017 at 12:00 pm
I’d love to see more Bucs in the Hall, but Ronde doesn’t derve it. He was mostly a nickel corner who rushed the QB for some reason. He was often beat when not playing cover two. Elite receivers had a field day with him covering.
March 30th, 2017 at 12:01 pm
I meant not sole on both getting
March 30th, 2017 at 12:01 pm
Thank you dusty.. cover 2 revolutionized NFL defense for a decade and ronde was the best at it. He deserves it. Simeon… that one I really don’t get. Dude was a great
March 30th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Yeah I hear U
But IMO Ronde is one of those players that redefined the postion.
He could play…
Short side of the field
Wide side of the field
…And Also Play the slot (In effectively blitz from the position)
In HS I played two years of safey (Dropped Out/Got My GED)
Played Corner/Safety 2yrs at JC — 3yrs of Semi-Pro
Coached Defensive Backs for 2yrs (HS)
I’ve only seen two dudes – that’s done what he’s has.
#rarebreed
Note:
Charles Woodson is the Other.
March 30th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
Said it over and over
Fans expecting Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, Barber and Rice to all get in from a with one championship are out of touch.
2 defense’s held in higher regard in the national media the 85 Bears and 2000 Ravens have a combined 4 hall of famers
Temper your expectations Bucs fans
March 30th, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Tampa Tony
Never expected all of them to get in – just the ones that deserve it
Ronde deserves to be in the Hall.
March 30th, 2017 at 12:07 pm
LUVMYBUCS….awesome stats…and PROOF…right on derrick….great points too…another fact..ronde is one of the most hated people in the history of PHILLY sports and they know their sports figures…..again Ronde not getting in on the first shot is an absolute farce and disgrace to him and the bucs the guy is an ALL TIME LEADER….and a HALL OF FAME person….and as NOSBOS stated the bucs should have at least 2 SBs from that era….RONDE HOF 2018
March 30th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Prime time says Barber not HOF cuz he stayed on one side of the field. “System cb”.
Whatever you do DO NOT show highlights of Barber trying to cover Steve Smith. Not a good look for Barber.
March 30th, 2017 at 12:12 pm
DB55
Every So-Called Shutdown corner has been burnt PLENTY of times – including Deion.
Just like every great safety has let – PLENTY of reciever get behind him.
#sh!thappens
March 30th, 2017 at 12:13 pm
Dusthty Rhothdes
#Respect
March 30th, 2017 at 12:15 pm
DB55
Hope someone plays ALL the times – Sterling Sharp burnt Deion nutz.
Or his attempts to take him – and get face palmed
Lol – he’ll shut his a$$ up real quick – I bet.
March 30th, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Or his attempts to tackle him – and get face palmed
March 30th, 2017 at 12:27 pm
Only 10 players in NFL history have gotten 20 sacks and 20 interceptions. Ronde is one of them. End. Of. Story.
March 30th, 2017 at 12:30 pm
Dallas Embarrasses Deion MNF 12/21/1992
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqdngE6q4sQ
Everbody gots bad tape
March 30th, 2017 at 12:59 pm
Preach it LUV.
If there is 1 person that deserves to be in the HOF after Sapp and Brooks, it is 100% Ronde Barber. His stats speak for themselves. All of them.
One of the greatest Bucs, and all around great human– the epitome of class in the NFL. Get this man in Ira!!!
March 30th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Rhonde Barber is a first ballot Hall of Famer!!!! if not then its on Ira!!!!! maybe their is voter fatigue from Ira trying to jam in everyone that played on the Tampa2!!!!!
March 30th, 2017 at 1:24 pm
BucRealist…great points…dungy is not a hall of fame coach and if Ira helped with that one in addition to brooks, sapp (who is hated) and then the assault with lynch past few years….maybe ira’s voice does not get much strength in the room anymore but LuvMyBucs should go with IRA and fire up a powerpoint and video with the information from here because plain out fact he is a HOFer
March 30th, 2017 at 1:26 pm
john lynch was an awesome player and an important buccaneer, but i personally think Ronde has a stronger case for the HOF. he was not a traditional corner, but i feel that is part of his case. his sack counts could belong to a 4-3 linebacker, his tackle counts could belong to his safety, and his INT and TD numbers put him rare territory among his fellow CBs. Put it all together with his durability, longevity, limitless class, and his superbowl ring and you’ve got yourself a hall of famer.
March 30th, 2017 at 1:46 pm
After the BS sales job IRA had to pull off to get an unqualified playoff choke artist like dungy and his career playoff losing record in hall, there is no way anyone can take him seriously. Salesman of year without question but not a credible voter. Lynch is a no but I had hope for Ronde. Too bad Gruden was not hired a year earlier to clean up Dungy’s mess. A second super bowl would have helped Lynch Barber and rice.
March 30th, 2017 at 2:06 pm
And Joe Montana was a system quarterback. Most of these hall voters seem either dumb or biased or both. Maybe we need an IQ test for Hall of Fame voters. Make it like their wonderlic. And publish the results.
March 30th, 2017 at 2:10 pm
Joe Montana won 4 Super Bowls what an awful comparison
March 30th, 2017 at 2:25 pm
I love Ronde. Just to be clear. And the sack/Int club should get him in. Plus he works for the media so it shouldn’t be super hard to get votes.
Luv that video was fckn AWESOME! Took me way back to when football was a dangerous sport played by dangerous animals. Soft serve.
I only saw upto the fumble. I wouldn’t call that getting burnt. I say Prime had a bad day! Hahahaha
March 30th, 2017 at 2:33 pm
But I must say if there was ever a rival that I was a fan of it was Steve Smith. Love that guy. I wish we would have signed him when he went to Baltimore. But we too soft for players like Smith. He’d be an instant enemy of the TB choir club.
March 30th, 2017 at 2:37 pm
Bucs are being penalized because they had so many great players on a team that won just one SB.
Voters also fall for the system player nonsense when in fact Ronde was quite the opposite. He played all over the field not just sitting comfortably on one side like many “shut down CBs” do. He basically invented a position, was a ballhawk and spent more time in the opponents backfield than any CB I can ever remember.
He also was an ironman at 180 pounds, a fixture on the field for a decade and a half. He gets dinged because he didn’t run a blazing 40 and wasn’t one to be on highlight reels lighting up QBs. ESPN highlight crap. He played like Derek Jeter played baseball, always in the right spot, always a good citizen and a teammate you could count on. He belongs.
March 30th, 2017 at 2:46 pm
Bucs are getting penalized because the one dimensional Dungy wasted a great defense. McKay and Dungy offenses were some of the most embarrassing of ALL TIME… Bucs had a great defense on a BAD Team led by a one dimensional career losing playoff coach.
March 30th, 2017 at 2:53 pm
No I wouldn’t call that getting burnt either.
But It illustrates that Prime had his share of weaknesses (as do we all)
Folks act like Prime had blanket coverage on receivers.
When in fact alot of times — he gave them a solid cushion.
He gave up plenty of yards underneath.
An yes – he could be beat on slant routes (badly sometimes)
If you really wanna see him beat – early in career
CheckOut when Atlanta Played
-Rams – Henry Ellard | Flipper Anderson
-New Orleans – Eric Martin | Brett Perriman
-San Francisco – Jerry Rice | John Taylor
-Minnesota – Anthony Carter
-Green Bay – Sterling Sharpe ←Classic
-Philadelphia – Cris Carter
1st 5 or 6 yers in the league – It was nothing for Jerry Rice to have a stellar day against Deion. John Taylor burned him a bunch of times as well.
Was Deion great no doubt
But event the best -get burnt from time to time.
You can’t match up well against everybody.
March 30th, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Deion is one of the biggest loud mouth azzholes around.
Self centered and full of sh!t ……..
I couldn’t care less what his take is on Ronde because I know how great Ronde was.
Go eff yourself Deion and take Michael Irving along too to cheer you on while your doing it.
March 30th, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Glad you pointed out some of Primes early challenges in the league LUV, maybe some will consider that before being a Kyle critical of VH3. Bill Polians says it takes 4 years to make a QB,I believe it takes 3 to make a CB.
March 30th, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Tampa Tony thanks for proving my point man. Montana/49er’s won 4 Super Bowls all in the same system. The 49er’s were still good and won a super bowl after Montana left running the same system with an inferior coach and slightly inferior QB. The system contributes to both the success of a team and the success of a player period.
March 30th, 2017 at 3:11 pm
If Jason Taylor got in on the 1st ballot and Ronde doesn’t even make the final 15 in his 1st year of eligibility – then something is definitely rotten in the state of Denmark!
March 30th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Like use tell my potnas all the time – Troy Troy Polamalu was not a true safety.
He wasn’t disciplined in coverage at all.
Constantly out of place.
When asked to trail a receiver deep – he was beat A LOT.
He was more of a Hybrid Safety/Linebacker – (Big Nickel Back)
Note: Once again you have a player that has redefined the position
Questions:
• Is Troy Polamalu won of the best Safeties you seen? – no
• But is one of the best Defensive Football players of his era? – yes
• Did he constantly make splash plays? – yes
• Did he show up in big games? – yes
But is he a 1st Ballad Hall of Famer? – No f%cking doubt
The Hall of Fame Panel – needs to respect the fact – the game as evolved.
U can’t pigeon hole – these new hybrids players into a box.
So what they’re a jack of all trades – master of none.
These men where some of the best players of their generation.
March 30th, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Luv
No sir e bob. Prime ain’t never been burnt. (Putting fingers in my ears as I say nanananana). Lmao.
#FSU
#FortMeyersBaby
#21reasons
March 30th, 2017 at 3:18 pm
*These men were some of the best players of their generation.
March 30th, 2017 at 3:18 pm
DB55
lol
March 30th, 2017 at 3:30 pm
Ed Reed( True) vs. Troy Polamalu (Hyrbrid) Option
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBuy9GqdCdo
March 30th, 2017 at 4:12 pm
LUVMYBUCS
Don’t try and rationalize the hall the game has evolved and The hall of fame went from being the best of the best to a Political popularity contest just like pro bowl. It’s a disgrace
March 30th, 2017 at 4:35 pm
Ronde will get in.
He better get in….Ira.
March 30th, 2017 at 6:04 pm
Rinse is not a first ballot guy like some seem to think.
I do think he and Lynch should get in. I also believe lynch gets in and ronde does not unfortunately.
I think if that defense carried them to another Super Bowl win, instead of imploding on itself the following year, Ronde and Rice would end up getting in. As it stands now, I don’t think Ronde or Rice get in unfortunately.
March 30th, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Tmaxcon
I don’t think it is a pure popularity contest. I still think it is the best of the best. The problem is it is very hard to judge people in different systems on different teams. Some players are great and play on a losing team their whole life so they don’t get recognized and they don’t get the coverage.
Other players are damn good but play in the New York market or for the Cowboys, etc… so they get coverage. That is a little bit of the popularity creeping in, but I don’t believe the voters try to do that. Some of it is just the nature of – you can’t watch someone’s whole career, all the time, every week.
There are a lot of people on the West Coast who hardly ever saw a Ron day barber and would not even consider him a Hall of Famer. That’s just the nature of it. Football is much more subjective and needs to be watched. Baseball, on the other hand, goes a lot by pure stats.
March 30th, 2017 at 6:16 pm
The most for us trading phrase in football: “he was in a system”
NO SHOIITE!!!
So is Brady and Emmett Smith and Lawrence Taylor and Rice etc….
Every football player is in system. Deion is the greatest cover CB I have ever seen. If he played his whole career in a zone he would not be considered as great as he was, that would’ve been the wrong system for him. Lawrence Taylor benefited from a system that allowed him to do whatever he wanted.
Putting players in the right system, in a position to get 100% of them and their ability, is the coaches job. A coach or player should Not be penalized because they did their job during their career. That is just ridiculous.
Think of all the quarterbacks who come to the pros and bust because new system after new system after new coach after new coach.
Or look at all the receiving numbers and passing numbers increasing the last several years because the rule changes have made it beneficial to have all these new passing systems.
Barber belongs but I, unfortunately, don’t think he gets in because of this stupid bias
March 30th, 2017 at 8:16 pm
I don’t think Ronde gets in either. I don’t like D. Sanders at all.
March 30th, 2017 at 11:03 pm
Ronde is one the best zone corners to ever play the game. He isnt the man to man shit down cornerback. But he wasnt asked to do that. He was asked to protect a certain area of the field and he did it at the highest level possible. If the system made barber great, then why doesnt everyone run that system? And why doesn’t every player in that system put up GOAT numbers like Ronde did? I get that a zone corner is less sexy than a shutdown corner. But. The man was still did his job at an extremely high level. If joe namath and his 1 sound byte can be in the HOF, then a CB who played lights out for a decade and a half should be a shoe in. Dungy the guy who could only win 1 superbowl, even though he had 10 years of superbowl caliber teams, can get in the hall, then surely one of the best to ever play his position can get in the hall too.
It’s weird how the hall of fame voters are worse than pro bowl voters. Thsy just vote for the sexy names and marquee players. While the players that quiety put together one if the greatest careers is just overlooked. It’s just like the pro bowl. Bucs players get over looked and are considered irrelevant compared to the patriots and broncos etc.
I dont care what T.O. Did off the field, he is second to only Jerry Rice in every recieving category. I dont care if he plssed in every hall of fame voters wheaties bowl. He deserves to be in based on what he did on the field. The bull crap off the field is irrelevant to the game and how he played it. Im not a big fan of T.O. He was mostly annoying to me, but last i heard they still call it the FOOTBALL Hall of Fame. Key word is obviously FOOTBALL. And what he did on the football field, only 1 man in the entire history of the sport can say he did it better.
March 31st, 2017 at 8:29 am
I call it the Ronde stat, “only member of the 45/25 club” – its a made up stat by TB media to make a player/bucs relevant. Love Ronde, but def not a first ballot. Possible HOF down the road
March 31st, 2017 at 9:49 am
A system player? Were the Bucs the only team to use that system? No other player that was in this “system” put up the number that Ronde did. The debate is ludicrous.