Ronde Gives Blount A Tiki Lesson
December 15th, 2011
Listening to Ronde Barber’s one-hour chat this week on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Joe couldn’t help but think that Barber is a lot more of a vocal leader than fans are often led to believe.
Barber shared how stepped forward to counsel Blount following his costly fumbles against the lowly Jaguars on Sunday.
“Fundamentally strong players know how to protect the football. It’s just Football 101. I remember when I was telling LeGarrette, actually, because he was really down after the game saying, ‘my fault. my fault.’ All this stuff. I was like, ‘Hey man. My brother went through the same deal. There was a two-year stretch there where he led the NFL in fumbles, you know. And he was a dynamic runner, he was exciting to watch. He was half [the Giants’] offense it seemed like. But he couldn’t hold on to the football, man. And he made it a priority one offseason and he didn’t fumble after that. You know, he made it a priority.’
“We all know how [Tiki Barber] changed his running style. And he changed the way he carried the ball. He changed the way how he protected the ball — because it was important to him. And if we’re going to go forward and get better as a football team, all of us need to learn how to protect the football better. And that from Josh [Freeman] all the way down to the last guy on defense who may or may not ever touch a football.”
Barber also shared other mentoring examples. Interestingly, Tuesday night during The Donald Penn Show, Penn was asked about Barber’s leadership and Penn said Barber leads by example, making it clear that Barber isn’t very vocal. Of course, it could be that Barber picks his spots and isn’t one to mingle with the offensive line in that way.
Regardless, Joe found Barber’s message to Blount interesting, and one can only hope Barber can orchestrate an offseason ball-security lesson or two for Blount by his twin brother.
Word is Tiki isn’t too busy these day.
December 15th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Its been known for a while that Barber, who has said it himself, is not a leader or mentor. He just plays football as well as he can.
December 15th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
The definition of a leader has been redefined in a poor manner lately. Someone who is extroverted and wants control is considered to have ‘leadership qualities’ when they may have no business being in that role because they haven’t learned about it.
On the other hand, a true leader leads when they have a solution or knowledge to fix something. This is what Barber is doing here. He understands Blount’s situation and gives him encouragement and advice because his brother went through it. Talib also has said that Barber has been an excellent mentor to him on and off the field. I would also venture to guess that Biggers has been dramatically helped by Barber.
Why would you look to Barber to lead Josh Freeman or the offensive line? Sure, he could encourage them and say, “Hey, keep your heads up or get in the game.” But this pep talk only goes so far.
True leadership comes like this when he counsels Blount. He encourages him and gives him solid advice that he can build on.
Could you imagine a reaction from Zuttah if Barber comes to him and says, “Hey man, keep up the good word. Don’t forget that when you pass block to keep light on your toes” ?
December 15th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
My first question is: Why is Ronde teaching/coaching a RB? Did I miss something? We don’t have a RB Coach? An Offensive Coordinator?
So many things wrong with this…
December 15th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
@Sooner
Your taking it out of context.
December 15th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Blount will be fine……how quickly we all forget his first 2 seasons look like this
Year 1- 201 attempts, 1007 yards, 4 fumbles
year 2- 167 attempts, 737 yards , 5 fumbles
Totals- 4.73 yards per carry and averages 1 fumble for every 40 carries
Alstott
Year 1- 96 attempts, 337 yards, 4 fumbles
Year 2- 176 attempts, 665 yards, 5 fumbles
Totals- 3.68 yards per carry and 1 fumble every 30 carries
and MIKE WAS A GREAT ONE !
December 15th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
Barber is a future hall of famer he can mentor who ever he wants.
December 15th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Barber had second hand experience (unless you believe the twins feel things thing then it might be considered first hand) with a someone who fumbled and he knew what his brother felt like and how he fixed it. Good move on his part to impart that knowledge to Blount.
Now who in the front office does not think experience is necessary for a football team.
December 15th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Always wondered why Ronde wound up on defense and Tiki on offense when Ronde has the better hands.
December 15th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Thanks.
December 15th, 2011 at 5:30 pm
@neildeal great info man. Thanks for diggin that up
December 15th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
The only the thing common between Barber and Blount is that they both are running backs…..Blount is 1 hurrdle away from NFL archives…footnote
December 15th, 2011 at 7:12 pm
Ronde is my hero. I guess he’s alos one of Raheem’s home boys too, even though he’s older. If Raheem was a bad coach, Ronde wouldn’t say he’s a good one.
December 15th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
@ neildeal, great point. I’d be worried if he fumbled on first contact, its usually from him dragging 5 guys with three of them pulling on the ball. High effort fumbles!
December 15th, 2011 at 9:27 pm
That’s an excellent point BucfaninMI
December 16th, 2011 at 12:37 am
It’s off topic but how bad do the Bucs look now? Atlanta is up 34-0 on the jags and there’s a half left.
I have zero problems with Blount. The dude is young and still learning. Once we get a real OC and a new running backs coach Blount will be one of if not the best back in the league. The dude is a human highlight reel..
December 16th, 2011 at 12:54 am
Blount’s got a shot at 1000. Expect him to show up again under the lights.
December 16th, 2011 at 12:54 am
GO BUCS!
December 16th, 2011 at 3:14 am
Wow
Bucs get spanked by the Jags 41-14 who go out and get spanked by the Falcons by………… 41-14.
Well, it looks like we’ll be drafting somewhere between 5-9 or so. That is something to get excited about : (