A No Vote For Rondé Barber
February 13th, 2023
Opens ballot.
Yes, iconic Bucs cornerback Rondé Barber is now a Hall of Famer, named Thursday night as one of the five of 15 finalists to earn a hallowed seat in the Class of 2023. But not everyone was in Barber’s corner.
NBC super insider Peter King is one of the 49 selectors/voters to hear JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman’s pitch for Barber. King explained today at ProFootballTalk.com that Barber did not get his vote.
His written take illustrated how hard it is to get in the Hall and how the guy making your pitch can push you over the edge.
13. My cut to five: Andre Johnson, Albert Lewis, Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, Zach Thomas. Toughest decision for me was Lewis or Ronde Barber, who I was also bullish on. But I thought Lewis’ all-around game—superb coverage, physicality, special teams, kick-blocking—gave him a microscopic edge. I was happy for Barber, though. Sad for Lewis. And I fully supported Demarcus Ware, who was seventh on my list.
For those unaware, Ware got in this year and Johnson did not, which lets you know how high the bar is at receiver. There’s a long waiting list (and Mike Evans has more work to do).
Lewis, whose career ended in 1998, was in his final year of eligibility. Jerry Rice had called Lewis the greatest cornerback he ever faced.
Sadly, Hall voters get influenced by a guy like Lewis in his final year of eligibility. They’re supposed to vote strictly based on performance, but politics and emotions factor in, which Joe believes spoils the process. Joe thinks Hall selectors should step down if they’re not going to follow the established rules.
Regardless, Barber is in (Thanks, Ira!) and Lewis disappears until the Senior committee talks about him one day. And the Bucs-fan crowd annoyed by King has another reason to moan.
February 13th, 2023 at 11:24 am
So who didn’t think King was a dumb A? I’ll bet Ira does. And worked the smarter voters.
February 13th, 2023 at 11:30 am
Personally, I don’t care what King thinks. He’s always talked down about this team.
February 13th, 2023 at 11:32 am
King is an out of touch A-hole
February 13th, 2023 at 11:34 am
Pimping Albert Lewis ( who ) over Barber is laughable. Peter Lenin does have a lot of NFL access, unfortunately.
February 13th, 2023 at 11:46 am
Peter king the guy who never played a lick in his life? People care? Not this guy
February 13th, 2023 at 11:52 am
Ronde Barber is deserving of a gold jacket.
28 QB sacks… 47 INTs. 192 passes def…
I don’t care what this fat pig says.
Not to mention – 16 years of high level play in the NFL. A total class act and highly intelligent individual off the field as well as on the field.
He was an integral part of a Super Bowl winning team. I am so proud and happy for RB.
February 13th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
**They’re supposed to vote strictly based on performance, but politics and emotions factor in, which Joe believes spoils the process.**
IMO, This is what it all boils down to.
Merit doesn’t seem to matter anymore.
February 13th, 2023 at 12:14 pm
Biggest problem is they elect players to the HOF just to fill the slots. 5 players no matter what. Alot of players were really good to great but dont deserve to be in. Strahan is in because he played in NYC. Jason Taylor C’mon. Zach Thomas… Joe Klecko is now in as a Sr… no way. Terrell Davis should have never made it in etc the list is long.
February 13th, 2023 at 12:21 pm
Agree, and Andre Johnson was a great WR but HOF? Mike Evans has an NFL record currently and a Ring; pretty great accomplishment for ME13 and Ronde has stats that no one has EVER accomplished. Some guys getting in are crazy to me. Like the baseball HOF and Scott Rolen is insane
February 13th, 2023 at 12:21 pm
What a goober….Barber’s stats speak for him.
February 13th, 2023 at 12:22 pm
Eagles fans booing Ronde yesterday was beautiful. It’s a little cherry on top knowing they will never get over their hatred for him.
February 13th, 2023 at 12:50 pm
Agreed Marine Buc, well said.
@Ultra- lol recorded and sent to my Eagles co-workers. They are chapped today.
February 13th, 2023 at 12:59 pm
I had to look up who Albert Lewis was. King is a clown.
February 13th, 2023 at 1:02 pm
Lewis, whose career ended in 1998, was in his final year of eligibility. Jerry Rice had called Lewis the greatest cornerback he ever faced.
Reflecting a post from a couple years back.
#Repost
LUVMYBUCS Says:
October 19th, 2015 at 10:23 pm
Prime got his whole style from Lester Hayes, disregarding the stickum nonsense associated with Hayes. The man was a technician and plenty of kids across the country copied his style.
I watched Albert Lewis lock down Jerry Rice, Chris Carter, Haywood Jefferies, Michael Irvin and many more for over 5 years. No one wanted to throw the ball in his direction, but the average fan never heard of him.
My thoughts on why: he wasn’t flashy, he didn’t talk trash, and he didn’t play in New York with a flamboyant head coach. He simply did his job, yet received no respect.
February 13th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
Albert Lewis also played on special teams.
Racking Up 10 blocked kicks in this career.
Also was part one of the Best Cornerback tandems to ever play the game with our own Defensive Back Coach – Kevin Ross.
It’s beyond belief that Darrelle Revis would receive Hall of Fame recognition before Albert Lewis.
February 13th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
A$$clown
February 13th, 2023 at 1:46 pm
i think ronde just might be the next gm here…or will have some kind of management position in the future if he wants it…
also as bonzai said…^^^^^…king has always talked down the bucs…and continues to…it’s just what he does…
#HesNoChrisBerman
February 13th, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Peter King is dead to me. Don’t let his slimy azz ever appear here again.
Happy the beagle fans showed Ronde so much love yesterday and glad Rondé still lives in their heads rent free. .LOL.
February 13th, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Bucs cornerback Brian Kelly was better than Barber.
February 13th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Go watch the Vikings game with Randy Moss against Barber. It was Dilfer at qb for us,that was embarrassing.
February 13th, 2023 at 2:43 pm
The Hall of Fame let’s in too many players in my opinion. I was expe ting 4 or 5 people to be added. Instead the needed a bus to get everyone to the awards show. Can add their memorabilia to the shrine. I just don’t need to see their smiling mug.
February 13th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
Kind of miss the monikers Joe had for King. This surely would have added to it.
February 13th, 2023 at 2:55 pm
Revis had the advantage of playing in NY and got a lot of attention. He doesn’t have half the numbers that Ronde has or a lot of other people who should be in the HOF over him. Yes he was good , but saying that QBs were scared to throw it his way is ridiculous AF. That should not get you to the HOF . Go Bucs and Ronde Barber
February 13th, 2023 at 3:09 pm
Putting Revis in front of Barber is a joke. Just look at the stats. Barber leads in every single category. Sure Revis had a 3 or 4 year stretch of being one of the best in the league but Barber was consistently one of the best for 15 years.
February 13th, 2023 at 3:13 pm
What are you smoking Doughboy. If you are going to say Kelly is better than Barber then you need to come with some examples. Kelly was ok but Barber’s stats are ridiculously good in comparison.
February 13th, 2023 at 4:07 pm
I see the argument with Rhonde over Lewis but not Revis. Guy has an island named after him. Nobody threw his way for 7 years. Started to fade after his superbowl with new england but he was the best for a long period.
February 13th, 2023 at 4:10 pm
The peter King is a moron, as are most of the voters. They never played the sport at a high level. Rodney Harrison, a two time champ and the linch pin for the Patriots defense should be in easy. Barber in, Harrison should be in. Look at how long they kept TO out. Joke.
February 13th, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Barber should have been first ballot and Lewis should have gotten in 10 years ago. Simple as that.
February 13th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
Dough… Ronde wasn’t as big, or as fast as some corners. And Lynch wasn’t nearly as fast as many Safeties. We had other guys to cover those receivers where needed. But his play at Nickle, his blitzing abilities and timing, his ability’s and willingness to tackle, his recognition and ability to make the big play at the right time, which showed great talent above the shoulders? Almost second to none.
February 13th, 2023 at 4:41 pm
There may have been some bigger, stronger, and faster groups, position by position, as our 4 HOF guys, in the history of the league. But from the neck up, and in the heart, I don’t think there has ever been a better group.
February 13th, 2023 at 4:59 pm
What are your boy and PFF curator Florio’s thoughts on it?! It’s surprising and not surprising at the same time why you like him (if you truly do)
You know the very first article produced on PFF after the HoF by someone not only didn’t list Ronde in the title with others, he nearly got his name and Team affiliation mentioned. Not a short paragraph like the others.
Florio’s obvious hate and vendetta on Bucs is one of the most professionally immature things I’ve seen on that level. And it’s apparent to almost everyone.
Would love to hear his thoughts on it though. Haven’t got around to it, if he already has….but that’d be an entertaining POV relevant to Ronde and Bucs.
Florio is an ultimate tool, squirmy, slimy and a douche though, so nothing would be surprising with him at this point!
Congrats Ronde and more than well deserved 👌 great job too Ira a d thanks for your hard work, research and efforts to be his voice. ‘Preesh.
February 13th, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Ronde revolutionized the slot-corner position.
Go Bucs!
February 13th, 2023 at 5:29 pm
Ghotier:
Florio doesn’t work for the PFF tribe.
February 13th, 2023 at 5:32 pm
Good job Ira. Overcoming arrogant self important stooges like Peter’s King is part of the work that is unheralded.
February 13th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
Yup, just another reason to hate this guy for me
February 13th, 2023 at 5:58 pm
When you define your position (nickel / slot corner) in the most important defense of its era, and you’re the best tackling corner in the game, and the best pass rushing corner in the game, that makes you a HOFer. Jacko–.
February 13th, 2023 at 7:05 pm
King is a d!ck
February 13th, 2023 at 7:07 pm
I missed that when Ronde pointed at his back in response to the iggles fans. That was more epic behavior from 20.
(Thanks to Rod for the heads up)
February 13th, 2023 at 7:07 pm
iggles fans despise Ronde so much LOL
February 14th, 2023 at 2:16 am
PFT bruddah and I think you could obviously figure out a typo (don’t act like you don’t have them and I’m not a Journalist)…nice deflection and diversion technique technique though. My goodness dude 🤦♂️
I think you knew it was in reference to Florio and PFT and yet you can only say (probably because what could you to that anyways w/o being a Ne’er-do-well or Les Incompétents), “Florio doesn’t work for PFF” 😂 it’s one letter off, typos and auto-corrects happen, everything else was readable in that post and yet that’s your take and can’t address. That’s about as sneaky and slimy as Florio. You’re too obvious in your age and bias guy. Get a grip!
February 14th, 2023 at 12:11 pm
So glad for ira and especially Ronde. Also glad we don’t have to hear pewter report run there mouth on how they could have already gotten Ronde in. Just ridiculous. Noone in town better than ira .
February 14th, 2023 at 8:59 pm
I knew who King was when he voted for Logan Mankins for Offensive Rookie of the Year over Cadillac Williams in 2005. He’s a homer and a hack.