Talkin’ Ronde Barber
February 8th, 2017
Ronde Barber helps bring a more intelligent broadcast to viewers, says his TV partner Chris Myers.
Joe chatted last week in Houston with good guy Chris Myers, preseason TV play-by-play voice of the Bucs. Today, Myers shares with Joe how smart his preseason broadcast partner is, Ronde Barber, and what may be in Barber’s future beyond broadcasting.
JoeBucsFan.com: Now you are working with Ronde Barber, who is tight with Bucs general manager Jason Licht and the inner circle there at One Buc Palace. Is he next in line as a former Bucs great to be wearing a suit in an NFL front office?
Chris Myers: I would say if Ronde wanted to be an executive, he could absolutely do it. He is another guy who has his family as much of a priority as football. I tease him: He spends as much time at the Bucs’ facility, One Buc Place, looking at film whether it is the Bucs or the opponent as he did when he was playing. He is another one who followed John Lynch into the preseason [Bucs broadcast booth]. I take great pride that I get to work with Ronde. We had a terrific season as a broadcast team for FOX on a national scale – we didn’t get to do as many Bucs games as we would have liked.
Ronde, you should see it. He does a scouting report (in prepping for a broadcast) of both teams and rates each player and talks about strengths and weaknesses, the defensive scheme – it’s like a four- or five-page sheet that he gives us and our director and producer so we get a sense of how he is feeling about the game. It is much more thorough [than others often produce]. Others may have their own study habits as players, but [Barber] started doing that and I think really improved as far as the on-air delivery because he has so much information. He is really a delight to work with and a great teammate and fun to be around.
I see that players and coaches – we have been in production meetings and coaches have said to him on competing teams in the NFC South, ‘Hey, we have a corner we love. Can you talk to him about his position?’That type of thing and Ronde will do it as a favor. He’s not coaching but he has that respect around the league.
February 8th, 2017 at 8:01 am
Ronde is simply a winner! And what’s easy to like about Ronde is he does it the old fashioned way…he works hard and earns it. He wasn’t nearly as blessed as physically as many of his NFL brethren but he never let it hold him back. He just outworked everyone else.
I have had the privilege of working in a broadcast booth…nowhere near the level of Ronde or the NFL. My first job was while I was still in school. UC spent one year between contracts and had to do their own games for a season on their public station. They were DESPERATE…I got to do color…boy did I embarrass myself! LMAO It’s NOT as easy as it looks. Gotta not only be informed but learn to find your spots in the broadcst then make quick cogent points.
His first season I was a bit embarrassed for Ronde. But just like always the guy buckled down…spent hours I’m sure working with broadcast coaches and he has become very good and continues to get better. Kind of mirrored his Bucs career…slow start…spectacular finish. I expect Ronde to become the best color analyst in the NFL in a few more years.
Everything I’ve ever seen Ronde do ultimately impresses me.
February 8th, 2017 at 9:25 am
Always a pro. I always admired that about him.
February 8th, 2017 at 2:58 pm
Wouldn’t surprise me if Ronde gets in the HOF before Lynch.
That said, Simeon Rice and Hardy Nickerson both belong in the HOF as well.
If Jason Taylor (WTH ?) can get to the HOF, then so should Rice.
February 8th, 2017 at 3:36 pm
been my favorite buc since the year he racked up 5.5 sacks as a freaking nickel corner. and then i think 1 or 2 years later he went out and bagged 10 INTs. what a competitor and what a unique player he was. he seems like the type of guy who will succeed\would have succeeded in almost any walk of life thanks to his work ethic. between his versatility, longevity, and durability he’s an absolute Hall of Famer in my book
February 8th, 2017 at 7:41 pm
Brooks and him need to be in the organization