Ronde Barber = “Liability”
February 16th, 2013
Joe realizes he’s typing heresy in the church of the Bucs here. But don’t skewer Joe, it’s a controversial take from Joe’s pal Justin “The Commish” Pawlowski of 98.7 FM.
The Commish penned a piece looking at the Bucs’ needs and options entering free agency, and he s confident Ronde Barber is a weak link in the Bucs secondary. The hefty praise rockstar general manager Mark Dominik and Greg Schiano have dropped on Barber’s 2012 performance? The Commish ain’t buying it.
Bottom Line: This is pretty simple, Ronde Barber is old, about to retire, and was a liability last season. I also do not feel Ahmad Black is ready for a full-time role. I’d love to get a veteran with experience back in the secondary to help Mark Barron, but also an experienced player that can still play at a high level. Dashon Goldson would be my top target with his experience on a top defense like the 49ers. Patrick Chung would bring his experience from the Patriots
and be a nice upgrade. Kenny Phillips has some injury concerns, but does have a tie to the Giants that might help him or hurt him with current Bucs coaches. No, I do not think Ed Reed would come to the Bucs, nor do I think the Bucs will go after him.
Top Free Agents: Dashon Goldson (SF), Jairus Byrd (BUF), Ed Reed (BAL), LaRon Landry (NYJ), Louis Delmas (DET), Patrick Chung (NE), William Moore (ATL), Kenny Phillips (NYJ)
Joe has to disagree. Barber isn’t a liability, though Joe doesn’t think Barber is much more than average on the field while performing a key leadership role on and off it.
Now Joe wouldn’t quibble if the Bucs brought in a better free safety and moved Barber back to cornerback to compete there and play on passing downs.
Ed Reed interests Joe on many levels. Schiano was Reed’s defensive coordinator at the University of Miami under Butch Davis, who still happens to be in the Bucs’ house. Perhaps the relationship there is strong enough to intrigue Reed.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Love to have some tape pointed out to me that shows Barber as a liability. He had a great year at FS and might be even better in his 2nd year at his new position. Only free agent that would be worth it is Byrd.
February 16th, 2013 at 9:58 am
Sad truth about Ronde 🙁
He was such a good player for a long time.
Ed Reed would be a sick signing. One of the best safeties of all time.
February 16th, 2013 at 10:01 am
Are you f-ing kidding me joe? No no no no no! Just yesterday you said he was almost in the pro bowl! If it were up to me barber could play on the team until HE decides its time to retire. He deserves that!
February 16th, 2013 at 10:15 am
I’d love Reed to come here. But he probably wont.
For those wondering about others in FA, heres an updated list (hope its ok to post this
http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/42077/309/nfl-free-agent-master-list-13
February 16th, 2013 at 10:26 am
Barber no longer has the skills to play at a high level. He does however have the savvy to make up for a lot of it. Barber should not be starting and only play in certain situations if he is kept. But the fact is it may be time to retire.
February 16th, 2013 at 10:41 am
I am not going to analyze Barber’s play or say aything about Ronde that would not be complimentary or befitting of a future HOFer. I’m simply going to say that I would like to see Ronde retire this year!
February 16th, 2013 at 10:56 am
@MavsMoney – Joe isn’t calling Barber a “liability.” You might want to re-read this.
Yes, Joe talked about how Barber almost made a Pro Bowl but deserving that honor and getting it are two different things.
Joe believes Barber had a good season, one in which he was under a steep learning curve, by Barber’s own admission. But Joe has no problem if the Bucs upgrade Barber at safety and move him back to corner in some capacity.
February 16th, 2013 at 11:24 am
Lol@”Liability” and Ronder Barber being in the same sentence and TE only argument to support this notion is his age, which Barber played remarkably well for being in a new position. Stir that pot.
Kenny Phillips & Patrick Chung are probably the most likely of all the F/A free safeties listed that will get go by their respective teams. Both had so-so 2012 campaigns and were nagged by injuries, but they’d come in loaded with starter experience and upside. Forget about Byrd & Gholdson, Bills and Niners can franchise them @ about 7 mil and hammer out a long term deals for their pro bowlers later.
February 16th, 2013 at 11:40 am
@Joe
Yeah, this is the 1st time I’ve been able to save the entire season on my hardrive. To cure my football Jones. Sure Ronde did make some splash plays, but you can make a stronger case that he was out of place 2/3 of the season. With the entire secondary picking up its play the finally 1/3 of the season.
And Poor Ahmad black is completely overmatched against TE ‘s.
Everyone keeps talking about we need corners, but outside of Barron. Our Safeties are lacking bigtime. Injuries have derailed a ounce promising career of Cody “The Werewolf” Grimm. So we need depth behind Barron
Prospects to watch:
SS
6-0 209 Jonathan Cyprien (2nd Round Projection)
6-0 211 Shawn Williams (3-4th Round Projection)
5-11 214 JJ Wilcox (4-5th Round Projection)
should also intrigue the organization:
FS
5-11 210 D.J. Swearinger (3-4th Round Projection)
6-1 212 Robert Lester (5-6th Round Projection)
6-1 213 Rashard Hall (7th Round Projection)
Either way-we can only dream Ed Reed finishes his career here. The things that he could “Teach” everyone in the film room(Priceless). And to be honest I seriously feel that; he can help Up Josh Freeman’s game as well.
Revamped DB Field
Outside
CB-Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Terry Hawthorne
CB-E.J. Biggers, Leonard Johnson
Slot
D.J. Moore
Nigel Malone
FS
Pat Chung
Ahmad Black
D.J. Swearinger
SS
Mark Barron
JJ Wilcox
February 16th, 2013 at 11:44 am
I would love to see us go after Byrd he can play a true center field at free safety and allow Barron to play in the box where he is best. if times wants to come back put him in the nickel where he has thrived his whole career sign a vs corner and grease back up in the late first for savior Rhodes. now the secondary doesn’t look so bad.
February 16th, 2013 at 11:50 am
We Need 2 (Trade Back) And Pick Up more Picks.
February 16th, 2013 at 11:56 am
Xavier Rhodes would make an All-Pro FS.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
I can say that Ronde was a liability as corner but moving to safety has added a couple of years to his career …..meaning I’m thinking he should retire after the coming season.
Psssst , Joe! Why did you climb in bed with 98.7 and The Commish vs your old stomping grounds at WDAE I was happy as hell to here the Commish was gone from DAE.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
All good things must come to and end. I really don’t like it when atheletes that I have admired play past their prime. You want your memories to be fond ones when they are at their peek. I love Rhonde, just saying.
After watching some vids of X Rhodes, he seems like he would be a great addition to the team.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
He is a savy vet but really is there any place for a 190 pound defender.That run’s a 5.0 40.At his age he’s not getting any faster.I’m not stateing this to knock Barber.More like prasing him for lasting for this long as an open field defender.If you are the slowest secondary player in the NFL.Yet still in the NFL show’s he is the smartest player in the NFL.It’s time to say goodbye and thank’s for the memories.We wouldn’t have won the superbowl without him.See you in the HOF…Buc 4 life
February 16th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Thanks for Everything Mr. Ronde Barber. God willing the entire family will be there in Canton, when you are inducted in 5yrs. One of Greatest of All Time & A True Class Act. Go BUCS 1976-til-Infinity!!!!!
February 16th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Something tells me in my gut, that Ronde will hang up his cleats. He knows at this point, that he is becoming a liability, and he’s hindering Barrons ability to work with a safety, who has years of experience and knowledge at the safety position. Someone who can teach all the nuances and veteran secrets of what playing a NFL safety means. Someone who already has the knowledge and not having to learn the position themselves.
The only way Ronde would be able to slide back to corner, would be as a nickel back, or as a rush specialist. The only problem with that, is every corner we have except Leonard is a nickel back. I think he will retire, but it he doesn’t, another year with Barber is not the worst that could happen. I’m confident if he decides to play and then he realizes he has become less effective, Ronde would be the first to admit it and step down, rather than be a liability, and hurt the team.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Barber is too old at 37, even though he just had a very good year……but Ed Reed at 35 would be a great signing even though he has not been great for a few years now, causes problems in the media by running his mouth, wants too much money, and has openly debated retirement for several years now? GTFO. You “grass is always greener” folks are ridiculous with your nonsense.
February 16th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Two things this article proves.
1) sorry Joe. I know he’s your buddy- and seems to be a great guy. Buuuut, he knows di*k about football. Never has
2) some of the Sheep here will jump on any crock of sh*t they read here as Gospel! Lol! It’s really embarrassing! If any of you actually WATCHED the damn games, you wouldn’t look so ignorant when some Wackado prints some unintelligent article to get attention.
Be informed- quit feeding the lazy shock jocks attention they want, but don’t deserve. Make them have a clue what they are talking about!!
February 16th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
@Capt. Tim -YOU MADE BRO!!!
February 16th, 2013 at 1:34 pm
– another comment- Correction–U MAD BRO!!!!…..LMAO ..luv it
February 16th, 2013 at 2:13 pm
BadNewsBucs, I think if Phillips could pass a physical he’d be a nice pick-up. He can play either safety spot.He is only 26.
February 16th, 2013 at 3:03 pm
If you watched any games at all last year, it was obvious that our top 3 defenders were McCoy, David, and Barber.
Barber was did not play the best he’s ever played. But he’s still head and shoulders above the pack!
Unlike our friend,The Comish, who is far more celebrity than Football expert.
February 16th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Most of those names listed are strong safeties why would we want two strong safeties playing in our secondary. The bucs want a big physical corner type at FS that can cover the slot. I am looking for wn oversized corner in round 4 to be converted.
February 16th, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Chung sucks. He is a disaster. If he wasn’t on the Patriots, nobody would know his name. He is that bad. A 50 yr old Ronde Barber would be better than him.
February 16th, 2013 at 6:14 pm
Ed Reed? Nice dream. With Charles Woodson? And Ronde Barber? And trade for Champ Bailey?
We could have 4 hall of fame DB’s! Who are all the same age!
Old!
I love all four of these guys. I have seen them all since college. And they are the kings of DB’s.
However,
I would love to draft Ried or Vaccaro. Add a true FS to develop alongside Barron and switch Barber to nickle.
We play nickle maybe 50% of the time. So I love the idea of Ronde playing nickle, while we sign a true FS like Byrd or we draft one.
Anyway,
I want Barber on our roster for 1 more year.
He is a guru. And our boyz need to learn from Him, how to be a
Buccaneer man!
February 16th, 2013 at 6:37 pm
The idea, is to bring in young Safety, and two young corners- to learn from Ronde this year. Ronde is still playing at a high level, but soon it will be time to pass the leadership of the secondary off to someone else. You want it to be someone who has learned to be a Pro- From a great Pro!
Ronde Barber.
We don’t need old guys. We have veteran leadership. What the secondary is screaming for is YOUNG TALENTED players.
Hopefully, we draft some young talent- to learn at the feet of the great One! The Best CB/DB to put on a Buccaneer Jersey
Again- Ronde Barber
February 17th, 2013 at 2:16 am
Kamal Ishmael late round = great value
February 17th, 2013 at 2:26 am
This is all rotten trash talk from the singing Polish Fan (98.7 fm Pun intended). Justen needs to stick with his “over and under”, “big deal little deal” and trying to entice Gary Shelton to take a drank and all the other crappy schtick (gimmick broadcasting) he comes up with instead of really talking Sports. [Did I say that conversation with Joe upset me?] @LUVMYBUCS, Don’t know about Cat Tim but you can count me !
Ronde has played well this last year, done all the Coaches have ask from him, Pulled off a great play in our opener that got us off to a great start until our moon walking quarterback started (I’ll be kind) struggling. Yes Draft or get some free agent help but lets appreciate Ronde’s contribution and Let him decide when it’s time to hang up his cleats. He’s a real Buccaneer Man!
February 17th, 2013 at 3:25 am
I really like Vacarro also. I think he could provide a bigger instant impact to our secondary than any of the CB’s coming out this year. He is just a more talented player. My favorite scenario plays out.
Fa: one of the top 4 CB’s
Round 1: Kenny Vacarro
Round 2: Logan Ryan
Bonus: Reconstruct Wright’s contract and re-sign.
Bonus 2: Allow Rhonde to choose when he is ready to retire. He still can bring something to the table. He may not be a full time starter anymore but i am sure we can carve him out a roll. He is a coach on the field and in the film rooms. Having his brain around another year will only help this young team.
To have Barron SS and Vacarro FS (who also can play Nickel)
CB1: (top 4 CB), Cb2: Logan Ryan, Nickel: Eric Wright, 2nd string Johnson and Biggers. This would not only, immediately make our secondary formidable but also built for future success with great young talent.
February 17th, 2013 at 1:32 pm
LadyZ
Yup. Everyone wants to become a “famous” reporter.
No one wants to do hard work- to become a “Great” reporter
Sad state of the nation, I’m afraid
February 17th, 2013 at 6:19 pm
1. Chung blows hard
2. No way in hell Ed Reed does not finish his career as a Raven.
He will do whatever to ensure this.
3. Barber is a liability only in the sense that without a true FS Barron cannot play to his strengths. I agree we should go after Byrd or Goldson
February 17th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
This take is embarrassingly off base. Ronde had a very strong season at free safety.
February 18th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
That is true,
But at the expense of Barron.