Ronde Barber May Decide In “Couple Of Weeks”
January 7th, 2011
Watching Bucs games this year, it was difficult for Joe to fathom that Ronde Barber is, by NFL standards, older than a graveyard.
With Bucs players, rookie players, younger players, dropping like birds in Arkansas, there was old man Barber making splash plays in the run and humbling wide receivers half his age with twice the ego.
Until Joe read Tom Balog of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune this morning, Joe was unaware Barber is second to only Derrick Brooks for number of games played for the Bucs.
Balog spoke with Barber after the Bucs season-ending win over the Saints and, despite rock star general manager Mark Dominik’s comments that he wants to resign Barber, the Bucs’ senior citizen is not quite ready to commit to another season, whenever that may be played.
“Those things will become clearer, I think, in the next couple of weeks,” Barber said. “Whether it is, whether it isn’t my last game today, I’ve played with a lot of pride, man, and had fun doing it.”
Initially, Joe thought Barber would not come back if there is a labor stoppage of some sort. But upon further reflection, Joe’s of the mind that a labor stoppage may in fact encourage Barber to return.
If next season — provided there is a next season — is shortened due to a walkout/lockout/strike/hangover, that means there will be less games played meaning less wear and tear on Barber’s aging body.
Getting beat up for, say, 12 games, is a whole lot better than getting pounded on for 16.
January 7th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I heard Ronde on JP Petersons show yesterday and he didn’t sound like a guy who is thinking of retiring.
January 7th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
Off topic but current: The Niners now have a coach but need a quarterback. What’s Josh Johnson worth to his former coach?
http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/usd/20061112-9999-1s12usdfoot.html
January 7th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
@Dew
I doubt we’re going to get much for Josh Johnson. If we’re only going to get a 5th, 6th, or 7th round pick for him, it’d be stupid to make a trade. Johnson is a good, young, and exciting player that we should keep around.
January 7th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
I think it’s smart to get some for JJ while we can. A 3rd or 4th? If we don’t trade him and let his contract run out, he’s going to go somewhere next year where he can compete for a starting job.
Ronde has never been on a Bucs team which such a powerful/exciting offense. I think he’ll take his bro’s advice and stay for one more year so he can reap the benefits of Free and friends.
January 7th, 2011 at 7:56 pm
Maybe I’m dreaming but I’m hoping for at least a 3rd round pick if not a 2nd. Or a young good DE if they have one. Either way, I think we will know quickly cause if JJ is his man, he wants him there now.
January 7th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
No way Ronde retires…..I think he’s having a lot of fun playing the game right now
January 7th, 2011 at 8:26 pm
There is NO WAY we could get more than a 4th (maybe) for JJ…..UNLESS………………
The new coach of the 49ers also coached JJ in college…..college coaches making the jump have been known to look for QBs they coached in college (Weurffel/Spurrier in Wash, Redman/Petrino in ATL off the top of my head). Plus, San Fran needs a QB.
I’d be interested in what San Fran might be willing to offer
January 7th, 2011 at 8:32 pm
@CP. Check out my link above. Harbaugh was JJ’s coach in college and they went undefeated.
January 7th, 2011 at 9:00 pm
If he doesn’t play, I’d like to see Ronde come in break in as a coach. I think he may have some good ideas to help out the Defense.
January 7th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
I rest my case. We should get a 2nd round pick for JJ.
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/07/harbaugh-we-will-install-the-west-coast-offense/
January 7th, 2011 at 11:17 pm
The Bucs would be fools to trade JJ, and at the very least he is worth a 2’nd round pick. JJ is better now than 2 or 3 years ago. He is also better than anything the 49ers have now. I would tell Harbaugh that any trade for Josh Johnson has to involve Patrick Willis, and if we have to throw in a 3 or 4 so be it. JJ is our next man up and very valuable to this team. Many teams lose their starting QB’s and fall to pieces. I don’t think that would happen to the Bucs with JJ as a backup. He is not Freeman, but he is pretty darn good and has a rocket arm. Not a 75 yd Freeman arm but he puts some zip on his passes.
January 8th, 2011 at 1:25 am
Throw in 5 sack teen wolf and we got a deal I love Double J’s attitude but if he can land The Buccaneers a pass rusher than I’m all for it 4th rounders produce. I’m sure the Kid don’t want to go down as the career backup Coach Morris wants him to be
January 8th, 2011 at 5:16 am
sorry, but you guys are delusional…JJ’s not worth nothing more than a 7th round pick…when did JJ become valuable??? on the bench? gtfo
January 8th, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Heard an interview with Ronde this week and he said that if the Bucs will have him, he’s coming back. If they won’t, he’ll retire because he does not want to play for another team.
January 8th, 2011 at 2:26 pm
You rest your case? Harbaugh is running a west coast offense and that makes Josh Johnson worth a second round pick? Wow nice logic.
January 8th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Nice argument Buc4ever. You must have went to Harvard. Out of Touch with reality.
January 9th, 2011 at 11:37 am
We won’t know JJ’s value unless Jim Harbough (or another team) actually want him.