Ronde Barber Is “Still Angry” About ’97 Draft
September 21st, 2010
Asked about Ronde Barber’s 39th interception Sunday and record-setting career numbers, Raheem Morris explained that Barber’s greatest motivation comes not from stats but from the lingering pain of the 1997 NFL Draft.
In 1997, the Bucs drafted Barber No. 66 overall in the third round and he was the fourth cornerback selected.
“”The thing with Ronde. I don’t even know if he plays for those type of numbers. He plays because he absolutely loves it. He loves the competitive nature. He loves the competitive edge. He goes out every day and he comes to work with the same type of attitude,” Morris said durin The Raheem Morris Show on WDAE-AM 620 Monday. “You know, he’s still angry that he was drafted in the third round. There’s no doubt about it. Fourteen years later, he’s still counting to see exactly who came in his draft, who came in with him. How many people he can outlast, and how many people he can be better than at the end of the day. I think he’s still trying to prove to his draft class that he should have been taken No. 1.”
Whatever motivates Barber is surely working. And maybe this means he’ll stick around past 2010?
Barber surely doesn’t want Darren Sharper (No. 60 overall in ’97) racking up more interceptions while he’s on the couch.
September 21st, 2010 at 11:40 am
That does sound like good motivation. lol
September 21st, 2010 at 11:47 am
Now that’s a funny story! I can picture Ronde running down the stat sheets on the 3 guys drafted ahead of him! Don’t worry Ronde, we Buc fans know how lucky we are to have you on out team. I wouldn’t trade you for ANY other cornerback! And you are a class act and a credit to the community ta boot!! I hope I get to see you inducted in the hall of Fame- you deserve it!!
September 21st, 2010 at 11:55 am
Totally agree Capt.Tim. lol
September 21st, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Rhonde is doing GREAT – keep up the fine work Mr. Barber and you’ll outlast them all.
September 21st, 2010 at 12:59 pm
I think Ronde likes to mess with his brother that HE is still playing in Tampa, LOL
September 21st, 2010 at 1:28 pm
A quick look at the 1997 draft and there are 2 d-backs who were drafted ahead of Ronde that haven’t yet retired.
(overall pick)
(3) Shawn Springs – cut from the Pats this offseason, says he’s not retired – 33 INTs, 8.5 sacks, 600 tackles, 91 asst tackles
(60) Darren Sharper – Saints – 63 INTs, 7.5 sacks, 731 tackles, 207 asst tackles
(66) Ronde Barber – Bucs – 39 INTs, 25 sacks, 855 tackles, 163 asst tackles
September 21st, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Oh… and the other dozen or so d-backs drafted before Ronde were mostly out of the league by 2005. Other notable names: Bryant Westbrook, Sam Madison, Dexter McCleon).
I think of Ronde as a Hall of Famer. But when you look at the stats from my last point, I second-guess myself. I don’t think of Sharper as an all time great, but he has 63 INTs in his career. If he’s not in, then Ronde can’t be either, right?
-angrybuddha
September 21st, 2010 at 7:55 pm
I don’t care what anyone says, I think Ronde deserves to be in the hall of fame. Those numbers above are amazing. By the time this season ends, he’ll have well over 40 INT’s. And for a cornerback, 25 sacks is not common thing you see. He can do it all.
I hope they bring Ronde back after this year. Man, he’s the ONLY one left from that great Super Bowl era team of ours. He’s the only longtime Buc player left.