Ronde Barber Talks Change, Barron & More
August 6th, 2012
Bucs icon Ronde Barber took to the SiriusXM NFL Radio airwaves this afternoon and touched on many topics with hosts Alex Marvez and former NFL personnel guru Bill Polian. Some interesting highlights are below, including Mark Barron’s brain, a bold prediction for Aqib Talib, Xs and Os on the new Bucs defense, and life under the New Schiano Order.
*Barber didn’t discount the challenges of moving to safety. “It’s a whole new world for me,” Barber said. He said he’s learning the “new footwoork” taking his time and learning that “plays are going to come to me” versus what happens at cornerback. The last line of defense concept is one Barber is balancing versus his first instincts.
*Forget about Mark Barron’s physical presence for a minute, Barron’s brain has impressed Barber. And it’s not easy to impress one of the sharpest guys in the NFL with your intelligence. “Smart guy too, man,” Barber said of Barron. “Coach Schiano’s defense is not easy to pick up. Lot of terminology for the safeties. [Barron’s] picked it up.”
*Asked about “revolutionary” changes on the Bucs defense, Barber said “for Bucs Fans it is [revolutionary]. If you’re watching us, it’ll look a whole lot different.” … Barber says to look for a lot of Cover 4s and a lot of pressure and more aggression.
*Barber agreed that rule changes to make the game safer hurt the Cover 2 defense, which relied on safeties to separate the ball from the ball carrier.
*Barber hesitated to reveal much of the New Schiano Order defense. “How can I say this without giving away our defense?” Barber asked rhetorically. “We’re trying to be more aggressive on the outside with the corners. Back in the day corners funneled everything inside. Now they’re just as active, just as invovled … big dfference for us this season.
*Lots of love for Aqib Talib. “Aqib makes me look like I’m unathletic,” Barber said. “If he doesn’t have a breakout year where eveyrbody is talking about him, I’ll be shocked.” … Barber also praised Talib off the field.
*Asked about Eric Wright, Barber didn’t have much specific to say when compared to his love for Talib.
*Barber likes the New Schiano Order because it reminds him of the Father Dungy days. “I grade everyone against Dungy,” Barber said. “He’s as close to Tony and the way he runs his program as anyone.” Barber explained that Dungy and Schiano share having every moment of practice planned out. Barber laughed and said it translated into his longest days at work. Barber said Schiano has talked to him about his days coming to watch the Bucs’ old training camps at [University of Tampa] and working to remake that atmosphere and order.
August 6th, 2012 at 7:02 pm
Our 2012 D is already better bc Haynesworth is gone.
We have 11 guys going after the football, full force, on every down.
No more loafing. The Lions now bolster a loafing safety.
August 6th, 2012 at 7:34 pm
Ronde ain’t wearing CB shoulder pads in that picture….
August 6th, 2012 at 7:42 pm
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard Schiano compared to Dungy, could be a good sign.
August 6th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
what really struck me was the last sentence. that is impressive. even with all these football coaching minds around him, schiano has no problem talking and seeking advice wherever he needs to, including active players.
love me some schiano!
August 6th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
Looks like T Kras is going to be correct about Eric Wright.
August 6th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
A 4?
This would require active LBs whether blitzing or covering.Not as much run support, I would imagine. Puts an onus on the D-line; get to the QB or get your hands up; penetrate against the rush.Safeties tackle more; corners, less.
August 6th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
What would be revolutionary is holding the other team under 35 pts.
August 6th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
St Augustine, I hear you. Have read nothing really praising Wright’s camp performance. Very worrying.
August 6th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
I was calling for Barbers head 2 yrs ago. I was wrong. It was the perfect example of how a bad scheme can make a good player look bad.
August 6th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Robert…..it wasn’t as much bad scheme, as it was NO pass rush (besides AC) especially after GMC went down. Even Neon’Deion Sanders can only cover for so long, numb nutz.
August 6th, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Ronde is more of a zone coverage, ball-hawking, blitzing-little freak. Never was a “shut down” corner. Did u watch him play more than 3 years?
August 6th, 2012 at 11:52 pm
Steve U R Silly.
Haynesworth is not the reason most of our D were said to be “loafing,” by several sources. i.e., refs, players, coaches, media.
One person is never the problem. It takes a bunch of problems to suck as bad as we did last year.
August 7th, 2012 at 8:42 am
Our D was bad because we had an Amatuer HC/DC running the D. Every aspect of our D last year sucked. And that was from lack of legitimate coaching. The true blame for the D last year has to be laid on the Glazers, whom fired Gruden and replaced him with an Amateur, which hired poor ass’ts to coach the Secondary. While Schiano has yet to prove himself, the D coaches have improved 100%, so look for improvement everywhere on D. Except maybe at twitter Boy’s position.
August 7th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
first big time saftety the bucs have had that will be a game changer like #43 in Pitt and Reed in Bmore…cannot wait