Finalist Day For Rondé Barber
January 3rd, 2023
Time to turn that red jacket gold.
Joe’s not sure what time the top secret announcement of 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists will be released today, but Joe expects Bucs icon Rondé Barber to find his name on the list of 15 NFL legends — again.
Then the hard work begins.
The panel of selectors will debate before the Super Bowl and pick a maximum of five finalists to be inducted into the Hall’s 2023 class. Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame selector, JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, will once again present Barber to the panel.
Yeah, there’s a chance Barber won’t make the cut as one of today’s 15 finalists. But that would be extremely unlikely after he made the top -15 and the top-10 last year.
Some big-name newcomers are among this year’s 28 semifinalists, first-time eligible guys like Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas and seven-time Pro Bowler Dwight Freeney. Cornerbacks Eric Allen and Albert Lewis also are among the semifinalists at Barber’s position. Regardless, Joe is sure Barber will be back in the final-15 and competitive to reach the Hall. He first became eligible in 2018.
Kaufman says he’s been working diligently on his presentation and talked to Barber himself on Sunday.
January 3rd, 2023 at 9:57 am
Ira let’s bring it home for Ronde’.
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:06 am
I think Mike Evans might get similar treatment when he’s eligible for the HOF. Great by Buc standards but not quite elite enough for the HOF.
Long way to go for Evans. He may have done enough already, but he’s not even 30. The consecutive years streak of 1,000-plus years sets him apart, especially with multiple QBs, McCown, Glennon, Jameis, Fitzpatrick and Brady. –Joe
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:09 am
I thought Ronde would go in the HOF before John Lynch. No one made a bigger play for the franchise, that he did. His numbers were great. Time to make it happen, and hopefully IRA’s passionate presentation will help put him over the top.
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:15 am
If Ronde doesn’t get in, this selection process is rigged. How Lynch and Steve Atwater, Tony Boselli, Cliff Branch, LeRoy Butler, Sam Mills, Richard Seymour, and Bryant Young made it before him is baffling.
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:17 am
There’s alot of great DBs that aren’t in the HOF……..
Plus…..it’s hard make the HOF as a DB anyways
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:18 am
he earned it on and off the field. class act and rock solid dependable on the field.
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:22 am
“ I think Mike Evans might get similar treatment when he’s eligible for the HOF. Great by Buc standards but not quite elite enough for the HOF.”
When it’s all said and done, I bet both are in.
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:32 am
Not a bad career for a slow undersized CB
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:33 am
Revis is considered a 1st ballot lock. This may be Ronde’s best HOF argument.
Revis/Barber
Pro Bowls: 7/5
1st Team: 4/3
INT: 27/25
Pass Deflected: 139/197
Sacks: 2/28
Super Bowls: 1/1
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:41 am
Sly,
Ronde has 47 INTS, 14 career return TDs that ranks him #3 all-time non-offensive TD returns, behind Rod Woodson and Prime.
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:44 am
Joe – i doubt this happens today given what happened with hamlin. Would be weird to talk about this. My guess it gets delayed a bit because of that.
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:46 am
ahhh now i see why my comments havent been approved for well over a month! email is “required” for submission.
January 3rd, 2023 at 10:46 am
yeah, Barbers sacks and picks set him apart.
January 3rd, 2023 at 11:36 am
In my opinion 20 is absolutely a HOF player but unfortunately I believe he’s going to be a victim of the no respect for the Buccaneers franchise from the HOF voters.
January 3rd, 2023 at 11:48 am
My favorite buc player of all time. I hope he gets in so I can go to canton with my number 20 jersey on and watch him get in.
January 3rd, 2023 at 12:04 pm
Barber may be getting the Ken Riley treatment, stuck on a team for years that did not win. Ken Riley, not a big name but third in all-time INTs in an era of three yards and a cloud of dust. Unfortunately Ken Riley (local Lakeland Legend passed without hearing his name called). Hopefully Ronde doen’t go in with the guys when they have been out of the league for 20 years
January 3rd, 2023 at 1:01 pm
Given the events of last night, I don’t expect to hear anything from the league today on HOF finalists.
January 3rd, 2023 at 1:10 pm
@spicoli – thank you.
Ronde has stats that set him apart from any other cornerback to ever play the game.
The fact that he hasn’t gotten in yet is a complete TRAVESTY.
And I fear that Revis becoming eligible this year will mean that Ronde gets screwed once again.
January 3rd, 2023 at 2:41 pm
He’s the best CB in NFL history. Give him his damn jacket.
January 3rd, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Let’s just start a go-fund-me to bribe the voters.
Cheat to win baby!!!
January 3rd, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Ronde should have made it in way before Lynch and before a lot others. Revis is nowhere near as good as Ronde, but with all the politics and Ronde hate, I would not be surprised if he got screwed again this year.
January 3rd, 2023 at 6:00 pm
He should have already gotten in. Sometimes it can be a numbers game when your on a team with that much talent. Voters will compare a worthy player against their teammates, not just their peers.
However, he first ballet HOF of VISA commercials. If you have forgotten how the Hotel clerk was able to tell him from his brother, look it up.
Steinbrenner was great.
January 3rd, 2023 at 6:49 pm
Rob and Jeff over here saying the same thing. Why can’t you flighty people just use 1 name on here. Shout out to BuccannerBonzai, Rod Munch, BucsAnthem and the several others that are true to one name.
January 4th, 2023 at 2:22 am
Ronde was the best Cover 2 / Tampa 2 corner in NFL history — and that is sort of a big deal. His ability to play inside or outside, to rush the passer, to be as good of a tackler as there’s ever been at corner — and, oh yeah, play special teams really well – he’s a bonafide HOF’er, and the fact he wasn’t a 1st ballot HOF’er is ridiculous.