Politics Sank Ronde Barber Hall Bid
January 3rd, 2018
Those who listened to the Ira Kaufman Podcast through the spring already knew Ronde Barber was a long shot to be a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist for the Class of 2018.
And that sadly played out on national television last night.
Barber did not make the cut to the final 15.
The voters didn’t put him there, so there will be no presentation of Barber by Kaufman on the day before the Super Bowl. There will be no vote on Barber this year to become an inductee.
You could argue Barber was worthy of first-ballot consideration. But as Kaufman learned from a sample of voters at the NFL Owners meetings in Phoenix back in March, too many of his esteemed colleagues had a who-is-Ronde-Barber mentality.
Courtesy of CBS Sports, the list of 2018 finalists is below. It’s likely five will get the votes necessary to enter the Hall this year.
- Ray Lewis — linebacker for the Ravens
- Brian Urlacher — linebacker for the Bears
- Edgerrin James — running back for the Colts, Cardinals, and Seahawks
- Randy Moss — wide receiver for the Vikings, Raiders, Patriots, Titans, and 49ers
- Terrell Owens — wide receiver for the 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bills, and Bengals
- Isaac Bruce — wide receiver for the Rams and 49ers
- John Lynch — safety for the Buccaneers and Broncos
- Brian Dawkins — defensive back for the Eagles and Broncos
- Ty Law — defensive back for the Patriots, Jets, Chiefs, and Broncos
- Everson Walls — defensive back for the Cowboys, Giants, and Browns
- Tony Boselli — tackle for the Jaguars
- Joe Jacoby — tackle and guard for the Redskins
- Steve Hutchinson — guard for the Seahawks, Vikings, and Titans
- Alan Faneca — guard and tackle for the Steelers, Jets, and Cardinals
- Kevin Mawae — center and guard for the Seahawks, Jets, and Titans
See those cornerbacks there, Ty Law and Everson Walls. It helps to be a Patriots or a Cowboy.
Joe’s not bashing the Hall of voters here, but it’s become political process. Why? Because they’re human; egos and perceptions are factors.
If Team Glazer wants its beloved Bucs icons in the Hall, Joe’s convinced all they need to do is ask Kaufman exactly what he needs to be the most effective Tampa Bay ambassador he can be, and to work the process behind the scenes in stadiums across the nation. And then Team Glazer needs to deliver.
It also wouldn’t hurt to nudge Barber to mingle with the Hall voters when he can.
Everson Walls over Ronde Barber. C’mon.
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:22 am
It’s a Bucs life!
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:24 am
Not his turn….certainly was not going ahead of the names on this years list….it’ll happen
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:32 am
they underachieved under dungy and had 1 good year under gruden it’s not surprising only 55 and 99 are enshrined. 5 playoff wins for that defense is beyond underachieving it’s embarrassing. obviously most of the blame goes on the one dimensional offense challenged dungy and his inability to understand game day management and offensive football. bucs are lucky they go 55 and 99 in. dungy did far more harm to bucs than good with his pathetic 2 playoff wins and wasting such a great group of players that Whyce gave him.
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:36 am
Suggesting that Ronda Barber press flesh at every opportunity with the Hall Voters (Mingle) is promoting the politics you just bashed in this story.
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:43 am
They need to stop having the same cast and crew of sports writers decide who gets in year after year. Leave it to the players and fans.
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:47 am
the hall has no credibility any longer since the unqualified bum dungy with his pathetic career losing playoff record was enshrined over qualified coaches like Tom Flores first minority win super bowl. multiple super bowl winner with great playoff win percentage. Flores was way more qualified than dungy the clown same with Jimmy Johnson all achieved far more than mr peanut.
the legend of dungy far exceeds is actual accomplishments. popularity does not equal greatness..
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:49 am
OneBucPerson
what they need to do is raise the standards again and stop letting unqualified popular coaches in players in over qualified. the hall used to be for the best of the best now it’s just another piss poor reflection of modern society with PC and popularity being more important than actual accomplishments and integrity.
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:50 am
Terrell Ward just Busted for Weed in Tampa
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:55 am
That the 2nd best WR of ALL time isn’t ALREADY in Canton shows how much of a joke the HOF really is.
That’s right, I’m talking about T.O.! 2nd ONLY to the great Jerry Rice! He may have been a clown, but the guy produced. Isn’t ‘production’ the only standard that should matter?!
Ronde will get his shot. It was not his time.
January 3rd, 2018 at 10:03 am
Vernon Hargreaves needs to HIRE Ronde in the offseason to teach him about watching film, eating right, and physical training.
Ronde is VHIII’s only hope!
@joe
Push for it bro!
I know you like my ideas. You have written things in the past based on my words here.
Find a way to push for VHIII to get mentored by Ronde.
VHIII is faster than Ronde ever was!
But his mind is far slower.
January 3rd, 2018 at 10:15 am
Lewis and Moss are both 100% sure fire 1st ballot guys. Urlacher is close to that level and may well also get in on the 1st ballot.
Bad year competition wise for Barber to be eligible – but I agree with you Joe that Law and especially Everson Walls should not be ahead of Ronde Barber. Both may have had a few more interceptions – but Ronde blows away both Law and Walls in all other stats…
Tackles – Law-838, Walls-N/A, Barber-1231
Forced Fumbles – Law-7, Walls-0, Barber-15
Fumbles Recovered – Law-5, Walls-5, Barber-12
TDs – Law-7, Walls-1, Barber-12
Sacks – Law-5, Walls-3, Barber-28
Barber re-defined the importance and future impact of the slot CB position as he was typically shifted inside in Nickle/Dime pkgs. He played inside and outside with equal high end proficiency and was as adept at sacking the QB and creating TFLs behind the line of scrimmage on running plays as he was at blanketing receivers downfield. Barber was a very RARE commodity – an all around great FOOTBALL PLAYER and also a true ironman who never missed a game in 14 years once he developed and won the starting job for good in his 3rd year.
Oh – and Barber is the only player in NFL history to have 25+ Ints AND 25+ Sacks in his career so there’s that little nugget – a record that will likely stand for quite a few decades if not forever….
January 3rd, 2018 at 10:15 am
teacherman it might be a good idea but vernon needs to learn mike smiths scheme and play the technique that works with that
ronde should be first ballot HOF and so should a few other bucs in addition the bucs should have played at a minimum 3 super bowls maybe 5 during that time but dungy was so inept with realizing you need a capable offense, such a shame because that bucs defense is ALL TIME GREAT and should be mwntioned with the Bears, Ravens, Steel Curtain etc and they aren’t
January 3rd, 2018 at 10:26 am
Hate to say it but Lee Flowers was right all we were was “paper champions”. I remember being so pissed when I heard that but now with the passage of time he was proven right. Especially with the joke that has been put in us fans for the last 10 years.
January 3rd, 2018 at 10:34 am
Pick- No opinion on TO?
January 3rd, 2018 at 10:46 am
Bucsfanman – Owens should have gotten in his 1st year of eligibility. Duh. But he’s obviously being “punished” for off the field and locker room stuff that has no business being part of the equation when it comes to HOF voting. Being a total asshole to a ton of people off the field didn’t get held against Sapp – so why should T.O. (who is obviously more than deserving) be held out of the HOF for somewhat similar reasons?
BTW – Any good fishing trips lately Bucsfanman? One thing’s for sure – the local snook are not happy this week.
January 3rd, 2018 at 10:57 am
tmax
you’ll never accomplish what dungy was able to do…..stop being butt hurt chump!!!!
you wouldn’t succeed at the college level as a player…..
you would’ve never got drafted….
you would’ve never won a SB as a player……
you would’ve never won a SB as a coach…..
you would’ve never got inducted into the PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME!!!!!!
you just a hater….simple as that….dungy must’ve banged your wife and left you to clean up the mess…..later LOSER!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!!
January 3rd, 2018 at 11:11 am
He’ll get in eventually, as will Rice and Lynch.
January 3rd, 2018 at 11:15 am
People will call me an idiot, but I think we should trade Desean Jackson. Despite his old age, his elite speed could possibly earn us a 1st round draft pick, if not a 2nd round draft pic. If we do earn a first round draft pic, then we should use our 7th pic on Chubb or Landry depending who goes first. Then, with our second first round pick, we select the stud RT from Notre Dame. That will solve both of our glaring needs. All we would need to do is go buy a center and a LG in free agency. And then with our 2nd round pick we should get a cornerback. If we execute like this, then we should be near halfway through our rebuilding process. But hey, I’m just a college student, not some football GM
January 3rd, 2018 at 11:26 am
Bucssuccs Says:
January 3rd, 2018 at 11:15 am
People will call me an idiot, but I think we should trade Desean Jackson.
your not an idiot…..that’s actually a smart move if dirk cant design plays for djax to be successful….
GO BUCS!!!!
January 3rd, 2018 at 11:39 am
Rice should be in there. Also is there any way we can sign Ziggy Ansah?
January 3rd, 2018 at 11:42 am
@813bucboi
Thanks! I’m also thinking that #weaponsforwinston was too much for Winston. He has Godwin, Evans, Brate, Howard, Humphries, Martino (for a fourth string wr he’s showing huge potential) and Desean Jackson which he wouldn’t like as much competition for the ball (which he probably signed here because he thought it would be him and Evans)
January 3rd, 2018 at 11:56 am
@Phil
Quite possibly. It’s just a matter of how much and if Jason would roll the dice on him
January 3rd, 2018 at 12:19 pm
but they know who John Lynch is… GTFOH! bias crooked media
January 3rd, 2018 at 12:51 pm
bucssuccs
I don’t think weapons for Winston was too much….It became a problem when he was trying to force feed 1 or 2 weapons…..
Winston’s best weapon this year will be his defense…..I doubt we can get a 1st for djax but I get your point….i’ll take a 3rd or 4th tho…..GO BUCS!!!!
January 3rd, 2018 at 1:32 pm
Time for a reality check!!! The NFL is incredibly balanced. There is not a huge difference between the talent and by the time you get to the greats that difference is paper thin.
I love Ronde…love to see him in the HOF…but I won’t take it as raw deal for Ronde if he doesn’t make it.
Yes Everson Wall and Ty Law were Cowboys and Patriots…but as I recall they could also ball pretty well.
At this level it’s more than just the individual anyway. There is a lot of luck. As Joe points out…play for a champion in a major market for starters!!!
Perversely for Ronde though he may have played on too good of a defense. Two already in…Lynch maybe…only one SB…after awhile I think voters are prejudiced again teams that have a lot of players in from one generation.
January 3rd, 2018 at 1:33 pm
James as a HOF runningback? LOL! The guy was very very good – but come on – he barely has more yards than Warrick Dunn who is never even considered. Also Dunn more yards than Jerome Bettis, another nonsense HOFer.
January 3rd, 2018 at 1:34 pm
I want to see Randy Moss get in this year on his 1st ballot …. and for T.O. to miss out one ore year just to hear what he says about the H.O.F. selection process.
For me, Moss and Lewis are no-brainers … and I’d like to see Edge, Bruce get in too.
As for Barber, he and Lynch should go in together … maybe next year.
January 3rd, 2018 at 1:44 pm
To the dopes, like the one above, who doesn’t think it’s a big deal if Ronde doesn’t make it in – please kindly go stuff you hand in a running lawnmower.
Ira has said before on HOF players – can you write the history of the league without them? Well Ronde Barber is the best ever to play his position in the system he played. If someone says he’s just a system guy – well that system was the most important system of its time. The history of the league can’t be written without the Tampa 2, and the DB to ever play that system is Ronde. This matters less to HOF voters but Barber also made the most important play in team history. Ronde is also the best blitzing corner of his time (probably ever) and one of the best tacklers.
There is no doubt Ronde deserves to be on that finalist ballot. Is he a first ballot in the HOF guy? Maybe not – but to not be on that finalist list is an insult.
January 3rd, 2018 at 1:51 pm
Edge isn’t a HOFer and certainly Bruce is not – he’s the Curtis Martin of WRs, he again was good, but never close to the best, he just played so long his numbers added up. I’ll put it this way, Keyshawn was a better WR than Bruce – as in if you wanted a guy on your team from 1998-2003, it’s Keyshawn.
Agree on Moss, he’s absolutely a 1st ballot guy – he’s easily the best WR I’ve ever seen, and it’s not close. There was only one guy that could beat-up on those all-time great Bucs defenses, and that was Moss. I hated him for what he did to the Bucs, and the fact everyone had him going to the Bucs in the draft when Minnesota unexoectefly took him 2 picks (I think) ahead of the Bucs.
TO isn’t a 1st ballot guy – he was very very good, better than Keyshawn, but he can wait a few years – plus him and Moss shouldn’t go in at the same time as TO is not in the league as Moss.
January 3rd, 2018 at 2:11 pm
There is no way in hell Everton Walls should be ahead of Ronde.
Hell, Ronde should be ahead of Lynch in my opinion.
The HOF is a joke anyway.
January 3rd, 2018 at 2:11 pm
*Everson
January 3rd, 2018 at 2:26 pm
RodMunch,
You and I seem to generally agree … and I may even agree with you Rev Ike Bruce … I just liked the guy and would like to see him get in.
However, I completely disagree with you on EDGE … that dude is absolutely a HOF’er!
January 3rd, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Eddgerin James? Really? Hall of good, maybe.
January 3rd, 2018 at 2:42 pm
@Rod- I have to vehemently disagree on T.O.. Look up his stats when you have a chance. All time, he is 2nd only to Jerry Rice. That’s a tad better than “very good” IMO.
January 3rd, 2018 at 2:49 pm
The HOF is a joke anyway.
People expect too much of it. Like Certainty. Like being absolutely correct in a beauty contest. There are stats but there are no real facts that separate these guys…just OUR opinions and our judgement of their stats.
The ONLY player I would debate is TO. He was clearly one of the all time great receivers…and yet one of the all time worst teammates. To see a guy run from one team to another doesn’t speak a lot to his genuine value…why wouldn’t GM’ want to keep an HOFer on their roster? Again I guess it depends on what you want to see in any HOF. Look at baseball…Ty Cobb is in the HOF Pete Rose is not and yet it’s clear which human was a bigger dirt bag. So does off field stuff count? In TO’s case I”m not concerned about off the field…more about running to the end zone goal post to grab a cell phone and fake a call about his TD…spiking a ball on the other teams logo…he was just a classless dude…but he certainly is as talented as many already in the HOF. I just have trouble with more than one GM unloading a HOFer. Lot’s of guys play for more than one team but TO played for FOUR different teams AFTER his long career with SF.
January 3rd, 2018 at 3:08 pm
*************
EDGE averaged 105.4 yards from scrimmage per game during his 11 year career.
15,610 yards and 91 TDs in 11 years (really just 9.25 years due to injury).
Led the league in rushing twice and went over 1,500 yards in a season FOUR times!
He was done at 29 as the last two years he played ages 30-31 were garbage and he was banged up.
However, before that, in his first 8 years, he AVERAGED 90.7 rushing yards per game and a whopping 116.2 yards from scrimmage per game, along with exactly 11 TDs per 16 games!
He was also a 1st team All-Pro and a 4 time Pro Bowler.
People forget about him because he never won a ring … BUT … he played in two Conference title games, won a Conference Title, played in a SuperBowl and racked up another 1,134 yards and 6 TDs in the playoffs … compare that to the immortal Barry Sanders (my favorite RB of all-time) who had a measly total of just 487 career playoff yards and ONE measly TD.
Frank Gore will ultimately get into HOF imo and he is a “Hall of Very Good” player … EDGE was a complete monster when he was in his prime and is absolutely a HALL OF FAMER, imo!
******************
January 3rd, 2018 at 3:13 pm
Thank you StPete! No, he was NOT a liked man but his production is unquestionable. When I get started with the examples you mention, I try to think of something to balance his “head-case” career like when he played for Philly in the Super Bowl. Dude played with a screw in his broke leg and a sprained ankle on top of that. He had 9 catches for 100+ in that game.
Some say he was not a team guy. Off the field, maybe, on the field he led 3 of the 5 teams he played for to the playoffs while breaking records along the way.
Likeable guy? Not really! Hall of Fame Wide Receiver? 100% YES!
January 3rd, 2018 at 3:40 pm
I think –
Lewis
Moss
TO
Lynch
Boselli
Get in.
I’m being optimistic for Lynch, if not him then probably E James
January 3rd, 2018 at 3:42 pm
NFL nut
Very good points about Edge… definitely belongs, way more than Terrel Davis who got in. I love Davis, but longevity is supposed to mean something. Anyway, No reason to bash Barry about playoff totals. He was on bad teams and didn’t go to the playoffs much
January 3rd, 2018 at 6:46 pm
^ Oh, believe me, I wasn’t bashing Barry … he’s my fave RB of all-time and I love the little Lion King … to me, he’s the greatest pure running RB that has ever played the game.
I just think people sort of ignore Edge as he didn’t have huge playoff moments, so I was pointing out that neither did Barry … not everyone has the luxury of playing for a dynasty like Emmitt Smith did.
January 3rd, 2018 at 8:48 pm
Nut
James or Rodger Craig?
January 3rd, 2018 at 9:12 pm
NO WAY I TAKE KEYSHAWN OVER IKE BRUCE AND I LIKE KEY.
January 4th, 2018 at 8:58 am
I think have Lunch And Barber on the same ballot would cancel each other out.