Bad Times Blooming For Ronde Barber
May 25th, 2017
More troubling Hall of Fame chatter this week for a guy most Bucs fans consider a slam dunk to be enshrined in Canton one day.
You won’t find better Hall of Fame insight outside of here because JoeBucsFan.com is home to columnist eye-RAH! Kaufman, Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter and presenter.
In March, Kaufman brought word that key members of the 40-something member Hall of Fame panel don’t think too highly of Barber’s chances and strongly doubt whether he makes the important final-15 ballot for 2018, Barber’s first year of eligibility.
Making the annual final-15 cut is what’s required in order to be presented for an induction vote. Before Hall voters convene at the Super Bowl, they vote from home by mail — ballots that determine the finalists to be debated and presented.
Joe can vouch for Kaufman’s message in March. Joe was at the dinner in Phoenix during the NFL Owners Meetings when this troubling chatter was delivered by one of the Hall voters.
Fast forward to this week. Kaufman revealed in his popular podcast this morning that CBS national NFL writer and personality Prickly Pete Prisco doesn’t see Barber as a Hall of Famer. Prisco was at One Buc Palace watching OTAs on Tuesday.
Prisco is not a Hall of Fame voter. But he is someone with a big voice, and his views are a good barometer for the national perception of Barber, especially when combined with the thoughts of the two Hall voters referenced in March.
It’s May, folks, but it’s not looking good for Barber, who was a revolutionary cornerback with the stats and longevity deserving of a Canton bust.
The process is very political and very sticky. Perhaps Team Glazer — or Joe? — should send Ira on a paid sabbatical across the country to educate Hall voters on Barber, Lynch and Simeon Rice?
Don’t think teams get involved in helping push their players over the top, overtly and/or covertly? Well, you’d be dead wrong.
May 25th, 2017 at 7:12 am
Only and idiot would think Ronde doesn’t belong in the HOF. His stats are undeniable and clutch plays should make him a lock.
May 25th, 2017 at 7:19 am
As a buc and football fan i can see why he might get overlooked. He was on some defenses that had plenty of great ones. Usually when I see or hear a persons name for possible induction i have an instant yes or no pop up. Looking at it from an outsiders perspective Im not so sure either. Id love for him to get in though. I absolutely think Lynch belongs in. Im all for an Ira cross country trip. Send him on his way. Go work your magic Ira. N go bucs!
May 25th, 2017 at 7:22 am
It is shameful the way the Hall has operated the few years!!!! It is not the shrine that it used to be!!!! They just might as well vote on a square of toilet paper and hand out yellow hanes t-shirts to the “Inductees”!!!!!!! Rhonde Barber had a First Ballot Hall of Famer Career!!!! But now it is not about the “player” and “on the field”!!!!!!!
Shameful!!!!!!
Ira says when presenting john lynch this year, ” Why would I waste time talking about john lynch when Hall of Famer Rhonde Barber is on the list!!!!!!! Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!”
May 25th, 2017 at 7:34 am
I like the idea of the Glazers paying Irv to travel across the country educating HoF voters about Barber, Lynch and Rice. They could set him up in an “Irv Mobile”. When the tour is done the Glazers could re-purpose the luxorious RV to help season ticket sales and marketing. BTW, I am available to drive…..
May 25th, 2017 at 7:43 am
Nobody should be surprised by this. The 2nd leading receiver in the NFL, only behind Jerry Rice, has been snubbed multiple times.
We all know he deserves it, and we all know that had he played for a big-market team it would be automatic.
We love you Ronde!
May 25th, 2017 at 7:45 am
If Ronde Barber doesn’t belong in the hall- then noone does!
And Lynch and Rice should be right there with him!!
May 25th, 2017 at 8:10 am
Fact is, if you are a DB, it’s hard to get in without flashy interceptions, chicken neck or dreamy hair. The heady guys just aren’t that “sexy”. Maybe he should have had some story floating around about cutting his finger off or even cutting Sapp, then he would get more love.
May 25th, 2017 at 9:09 am
I tell them to go watch the 2002 nfc championship. Even before the interception, Ronde was everywhere! Making play after play, Ronde steped up when it mattered most with everything on the line.
May 25th, 2017 at 9:36 am
The fact that this is even being debated is a joke. Just watch the impact in big games, look at the stats, or look at the longevity. Any two of those of should get a player in but you put all 3 together and if not getting in is simply a joke. And last but not least he is a great person so there is not even a bias against him like TO or Sapp!
May 25th, 2017 at 9:54 am
@WillieG Great idea the IrvMobile, I think Ira is looking for a brand new cadillac Escalade with zero down during memorial weekend at http://www.edmorsecadillacetampa.com or http://www.edmorsecadillacbrandon.com and don’t forget that Ed Morse is the only luxury dealership in Brandon and that customer get more with EdMorse (I think I listen to the podcast a bit too much !)
May 25th, 2017 at 10:10 am
if this is true…..this is sad….if he aint a hall of famer, I don’t know who is….GO BUCS!!!
May 25th, 2017 at 10:10 am
If you are the ONLY NFL player to have ever done something significant stat wise – you obviously belong in the HOF. Referring to ints/sacks in Ronde’s case of course.
He basically revolutionized the way a slot CB is thought of and the importance that a good one can mean to your defense when given leeway to play a versatile role.
Beyond that, Barber was an important part of an iconic Defense, has a Super Bowl ring, multiple pro bowls yada yada – perhaps most impressive to me was his iron man status with # of games started in a row over so many years – that chits hard to do in the NFL.
May 25th, 2017 at 10:33 am
So let me get this straight Darrelle Revis is a HOFer and Barber’s not?
May 25th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Lynch, Barber, and Rice are all borderline. Rice deserves more respect.
And you never hear Warrick Dunn mentioned. 18th all time yards from scrimmage. 22nd all time leading rusher. Those numbers demand HOF consideration. But he gets zero.
May 25th, 2017 at 11:29 am
All due respect to 20 & 47 – its the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Really Good. Love the team and watched ever snap of both their careers.
Good solid players, excellent team guys, but just not quite the cream of their era. Neither brought the but neither brought the same level of greatness as 55 & 99
May 25th, 2017 at 11:48 am
Only way the “Perception” of Rhonde improves is if the current team improves and becomes a perennial playoff team. Then the comparisons to the old Bucs Championship teams will come, and then Rhonde’s status might improve.
May 25th, 2017 at 12:01 pm
It is absolutely mind blowing how Simeon Rice doesn’t even get a sniff at being, not only a finalist but not even a semi-finalist for the Hall of Fame. I just do not understand the politics that go into the voting.
Rice is currently #19 on the All-Time Sack list. I may be mistaken here, but with the exception of Leslie O’Neil, EVERY SINGLE PLAYER ahead of him is either already in HOF or will be there one day (Peppers, Ware, Allen, Freeney)
Before he joined the Bucs, he had 2 All-Pros and 1 Pro Bowl, so he was already great and didn’t just contribute from being on such a great defense. When Rice joined the Bucs they had an ELITE defense, I mean they almost beat the “Greatest Show on Turf” 6-5! However, once Rice joined this team, the defense became LEGENDARY, and one of the best ever. And I love me some Dexter Jackson, but every Bucs fan knows that Rice was the true MVP of the Super Bowl.
It just blows my mind how some players can be so overlooked when it comes to the HOF process. And this isn’t a shot at Ware because he definitely is a HOF’er. I’m sure every team has a player like Rice who gets no love. Zach Thomas comes to mind. And can someone tell me how in the world Jerry Jones gets in the HOF before Gil Brandt!
Ok rant over.
May 25th, 2017 at 12:10 pm
This nonsense is a travesty.
Barber revolutionized the CB position.
First CB to get 40+ INTs and 20+ sacks.
Won a super bowl.
Complete class act on and off the field.
Barber > Lynch alll day, everyday.
Make it happen Irv!
May 25th, 2017 at 1:10 pm
HOF is always going to be a subjective thing. It’s comparable to a beauty contest or ice-dancing competition, as opposed to a purely objective event like a horse race, where one horse clearly crosses the finish line first, and there is no room for argument. Exactly what criteria is established to be in the HOF? There is none, it’s just a group of guys who vote on whether they FEEL you are worthy.
And, there is always a lot of pressure on the voters to limit HOF inductees to the ones a lot of people are familiar with, since if you get too many lesser known athletes in there, it makes a better case for those who want to say, “They’ll let anybody in the HOF nowadays; it’s just a tourist-trap sham.”
May 25th, 2017 at 1:56 pm
Patience…
This is only the first ballot, and he’s not a first-ballot HoFer.
It might be 2042 before the old-timers put him in, but he will get in someday.
I hope I live to see it, I sure did love to see him play.
May 25th, 2017 at 3:21 pm
He’s second I believe in alltime returns for touchdowns…and wasn’t far off from being first on that list.
May 25th, 2017 at 3:22 pm
They need to watch this video, Joe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vxJtHeL6V0
May 25th, 2017 at 4:46 pm
Simeon Rice should’ve been in the HOF. He was the best of the best for 4-5 years
May 25th, 2017 at 9:08 pm
Lynch is so not a HOFer. Ronde is.
May 25th, 2017 at 10:35 pm
Ronde should definitely be in the Hall of Fame. If not this year… Sometime soon. But I’m sure he will. He’s been great. Here’s why I would vote for Ronde:
1.) Loyalty to one NFL team for 16 seasons.
2.) He was an iron man.
3.) He is the only player in NFL history with 45+ interceptions and 25+ sacks… And a Super Bowl Champion.
4.) Him and his twin brother were both NFL stars both playing at elite levels consistently… Ronde is more respected than Tiki.
5.) His continued excellence as an NFL broadcaster. This man loves football and is a class act representing the NFL and himself.
May 25th, 2017 at 10:46 pm
How does Lynch get votes over Ronde? Not even close in my opinion. Lynch is the only Safety I remember getting votes and he never scored! Ronde was so clutch its ridiculous..
May 26th, 2017 at 8:16 am
The Buc Realist Says:
Shameful!!!!!!”————
Shameful is you continually misspelling his name “Rhonde” after he spent his entire career here and you don’t have either the respect or mental capacity to take notice that his name is spelled “RONDE”. That is shameful and disrespectful.