Bucs Have “No Interest” In Tiki Barber
July 7th, 2011
Less than a day after former Giants running back and tarnished network news broadcaster Tiki Barber’s agent claimed the Bucs and the Steelers were finalists for his services, the twin brother of Bucs great Ronde Barber may want to quit fantasizing on toting the rock for the Bucs at The CITS.
That’s the word from eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune, as he wrote on TBO.com that the Bucs braintrust has “no interest” in Tiki suiting up in pewter and red.
At the age of 36, Tiki doesn’t fit in with Tampa Bay’s youth movement and the people that count within the organization have no intentions of signing him once he is granted his release from the Giants upon the end of the NFL lockout.
Kaufman went on to write that Tiki is not a “right fit” within the Bucs.
This eases Joe’s mind somewhat. But could this also signal that the Bucs greatly covet free agent Cadillac Williams? In Joe’s eyes, if the Bucs didn’t want Tiki, that leads Joe to believe the Bucs will make sure Cadillac is back.
July 7th, 2011 at 9:47 am
Coming from the same person who said the Bucs are going to cut Talib immediatley following the lockout…. Not a fan of Tiki, just saying Joe, your source isn’t that credible.
July 7th, 2011 at 10:03 am
MVPFreeman:
Joe is not aware of eye-RAH! Kaufman ever writing that the Bucs would cut Talib.
July 7th, 2011 at 10:06 am
I never understood why everyone thought we would be interested in Tiki. The org isnt going to go against everything they have done so far just because he is Ronde’s twin.
July 7th, 2011 at 10:20 am
I like the idea of Caddy coming back and flourishing because I believe that he can get close to 1000yds as a third down back if we have a balanced attack. Caddy should be the second most important next to Joseph in FA. I personally like Black over Ruud so let’s see what happens.
July 7th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Caddy close to a 1000????????????? Not likely. The guy has no burst left. His legs move, but he goes nowhere.
Blount, on the other hand, should get around 300 carries and 1300+ yards this year.
They need a change of pace back to get 10 touches a game and I don’t know who that is. They drafted a goal line guy and a blocker in Bradford.
They could invite undrafted Devine, Rodgers, or Locke into camp and I think they will invite one of them.
The other option is HUGGINS. He should no the offense now and has shown burst and potential, the question is HOW HEALTHY IS HE
JOE? any idea?
July 7th, 2011 at 10:56 am
Dave:
Huggins was at Freeman’s minicamps but Joe isn’t pinning much hopes on the guy. He was a fringe player who is coming off of a nasty knee injury.
July 7th, 2011 at 11:41 am
Tampa just drafted a real stud running back in Alan Bradford.
July 7th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
joe and the rest of you what is your infatuation with caddilac the running back. Caddilac the person is great even, inspirational. I love his determination, but he isnt the only back in the nfl that can pick up blitzes. He is a below average running back at best, and i would rather have us sign sproles or bush to replace him. They really wont cost much more and both can pass protect, and get this they both can actually run the ball effectively.
July 7th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
Jarrett:
Joe is just being realistic. Mark Dominik isn’t going to sign those running backs you mentioned. Keeping Cadillac for another year or two to continue what he did last year (blocking back/decoy/8-10 carries a game) is perfect for him. Seamless, pennywise move.
July 7th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Just like the newspapers said the Bucs would cut Talib. I’m not believing anything they write. You know they just throw crap on the wall and hope it sticks. That’s there MO.
July 7th, 2011 at 2:20 pm
any other back who CAN block who you suggest bringing in, would have to learn HOW or WHERE to block. and with an abbreviated off season, and possibly preseason, any value NEW players have in FA is lessened (unless its a position like CB where skill can overcome knowing all the plays. (if he can cover this guy by himself, no need to know whether or not he has help over the top)
July 7th, 2011 at 2:51 pm
Joe caddy probably is more realistic, but with so much cash to spend giving free a weapon should be important. Joe how much more would you anticipate sproles or bush costing than caddy. I have no clue but if i had to guess sproles would cost 5 million a year, bush maybe 6, and caddy 3 to 4 million just guessing but it cant be that much more. I would rather have a homerun hitter instead of a good pass protector. sproles and bush can block to
July 7th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
Cadillac Williams is a better fit and ready to go.
Tiki Barber is not.
I don’t think it’s rocket science, the Bucs will re-sign Williams and are not in the slightest interested in Tiki Barber. How does it make ANY sense to sign a guy who hasn’t played in four years, is 35 years old and plays RB? LOL
July 7th, 2011 at 5:13 pm
Caddy did excel when moved to 3rd down back. His value is more than rushing numbers. He made some great blitz pick ups last year, which might be the hardest part to learn for a RB.
Does anyone remember how bad he was earlier in his career? Pittman was the 3rd down back. I believe it takes a few years to learn not only the offense, but to also understand different defensive alignments.
July 7th, 2011 at 7:28 pm
Joe, why would the opinion of someone who has been wrong more times in the past year than anyone here can count help set your mind at ease?
Kaufman offers ZERO proof. His statement is pure opinion, nothing more.
He doesn’t even try to back up his words. As a matter of fact, lately all he has offered is unsubstialated claims to be in the know.
July 7th, 2011 at 8:21 pm
@Jarrett
Cadi was rated the #1 third down back in the league, with over 10 yds per carry average and I don’t think he dropped 1 single pass all year. He relentlessly protected Freeman. No other back in the NFL did a better job on 3’rd downs. He also broke that one run for about 40 yds and a TD. Go back and watch the highlights. Cadi is very strong and Sproles couldn’t block 260 lb linebackers or 285 lb DE’s on his birthday. The Bucs know Cadi’s value and that’s what matters.
July 7th, 2011 at 8:23 pm
Pete:
Not sure if you are aware, but if any member of the Bucs — or any NFL team — speaks publicly or on the record about personnel moves, they can be severely fined or lose draft picks during this lockout that you so crave.
If you are expecting Joel Glazer, Mark Dominik or Rah to come out and say yay/nay concerning Tiki Barber, it isn’t happening until this asinine lockout is over.
July 8th, 2011 at 7:09 am
Cadillac has little left in the tank. He will never be a featured back anymore and we already have a likely better version of Cadillac on the roster (EG). If the Bucs still to their philosophy look for them to make a run at an UDDA that can be a 3rd down back and provide a change of pace:
Derrick Locke of Kentucky is an excellent pass catcher and can absolutely fly. He’s Huggins’ size but was a big part of UK’s offense in college both running, catching, and returning.
Noel Devine of WVU never lived up to his high school hype. Who could? But still, he’s fast, lightning quick, and can catch the ball. Also, he’s a hardworker… his negative, he’s about 180 lbs.
Mario Fannin of Auburn played a jack-of-all trades role for the Natl Champs. He can catch, he can block, and he can run as well. He does a little of everything. With good NFL coaching, the 6′ 230 lb Fannin, who also ran an electronically timed 4.38 40 at the combine, could become a solid player.
Brandon Saine of Ohio St. came to school with all of the expectations and accolades. He lived up to few of them. However, he is big, fast, and can catch the ball.
Dave, I’m not sure who “Rodgers” is that you are referring to. Not Jacquizz Rodgers is it? He was drafted by Atlanta in round 4, I believe. I do like Darren Sproles of the Chargers, however. And I feel he would be a great pro-ready complement and 3rd down back for us if we picked him up.
July 9th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
@Joe
So we’re to assume Ira is getting his information from someone in the Bucs organization? Just assume it??? He could easily say that “sources within the organization tell me that….”
No one would have gotten fined over that.
I’m sorry, but Ira and most of the media in this town make up their own news in the hopes that it actually happens, and then never admits to it when they are wrong.
At no point during his “commentary” does he give a reason for believing his comments other than personal opinion.
It’s not like he isn’t allowed to have such an opinion, but when a reporter makes statements like this, he should say its opinion instead of actual reporting.
And readers should understand it for exactly what it is. Not holding reporters to standards is why the news has become unreliable.