Would Barber Thrive As A Backup?
April 19th, 2013
Joe doesn’t believe for a second that Ronde Barber starts his days with a bowl of Wheaties or an egg white omelet wondering whether he wants to play NFL football anymore.
That’s just silliness to think Barber doesn’t know, in mid-April, what he desires.
It’s clear to Joe that Barber wants to get a sense of his role and challenge with the 2013 Bucs before making a decision. If the Bucs land Darrelle Revis and draft a cornerback in the second round, for example, that could drive Barber’s competitive fire to return — or tell him the Bucs really have moved on.
Former Bucs tight end and current Buccaneers Radio Network color analyst Dave Moore talked on WDAE-AM 620 this week and wondered aloud not only whether Barber would want to potentially play a backup role but whether he could physically stay loose enough to be successful at it.
Moore also praised Eric Wright’s play as “a physical corner” when he wasn’t injured or suspended. And while Moore assessed Barber highly at safety, Moore seemed to convey that Barber would have trouble beating out a healthy Eric Wright for a starting corner gig. (You can catch the entire interview below.)
Joe wouldn’t bet against Barber beating out Wright for a starting job, especially if Revis is aboard and the Bucs can shade safety help Barber’s way. Also, Wright was signed, in part, for his versatility, which would serve him well as the No. 3 or No. 4 corner.
April 19th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
As much as I love barber in a bucs uniform his days playing cb are over. He’s not on par with the games younger faster and stronger Wrs. In matchups where he was left one on one he was pretty much burned.
He can play safety ad serve as the nickel especially if we come in and play more zone.
April 19th, 2013 at 1:18 pm
I think Barber is waiting to see what happens more with the D-line. I am sure that he is tired of having to cover guys for 8 seconds plus.
here is to the 5 years and counting for the pop-star rebuild
April 19th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
Barber was best suited for the old Tampa 2 defense the Bucs were known for using. Now that the Bucs & most of the NFL use more man coverage his value has gone down a little. Don’t get me wrong; Ronde is one of my all time favorites, but there was a reason he was moved to safety. Go back and look at the 2011 games and you’ll see how he did against the taller, stronger and faster WR’s of today’s NFL.
April 19th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Seems to me that Ronde’s decision should not be “announced” until after the draft …. no need to help other teams guess who we are targeting.
Additionally, his game knowledge and leadership more than justify his return in 2013.
April 19th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Ronde has lost a step. But is still the best CB we have. Which is why we need new CBs.
I hope he returns, and limits his snaps. He is still playing at a high level- and his experience is invaluable.
Either way- he is one of the all time great Bucs. I wish him the best!
April 19th, 2013 at 4:28 pm
No, Barber is NOT the best CB we have which is why he didn’t play corner last year. He is too slow for CB now. I think Leonard Johnson and Eric Wright would both beat him out and possibly Gaitor. All those guys needed was experience and they are going to get better. I think we saw the potential the last game of the season against Atlanta. Our corners played very well and we saw what Barron is going to be like with Goldson back there. Ahmad Black is a good backup at safety and I think if we land Revis we’ll have good depth in Gaitor and Johnson at CB and maybe Revis can even be a mentor to Lewis. I don’t believe Ronde will return. When it comes to wisdom and experience then yes…Ronde is the best CB we have but he’s just not quick enough any more.
April 19th, 2013 at 6:57 pm
Ronde is THE GREATES NICKLE BACK in the HISTORY of the NFL.
He can do SO MANY things.
Its a limited space. Not much sprinting. Good tackling is KEY.
Ronde is gonna be one of the best nickle backs in the NFL this year.
If that is, he returns.
I hope he does.
He is such a great leader and mentor and example for our young guys.
Ronde- The Pharoah of Tampa Bay
April 19th, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Bobby- who gives a sh*t who beats him out! He’s 37 , and they all SUCK!! Worst Pass defense in the league. Damn near worst ever. Don’t even Dare make it sound like some of those Slugs can compare to the great Ronde Barber! They were all either undrafted, or 7th round picks! And they are bust at 7th round. Druggie Wright has been cut from two secondary desperate teams.
Only Biggers had a tiny bit of talent- and he couldn’t wait to jump ship.
Barber is a hall of famer- who is getting old. The rest of that abomination don’t deserve to be on an NFL football field.
If they all improved tenfold- they might make a decent backup. If you watched the games- and watched them play- you would agree.
April 19th, 2013 at 7:41 pm
I think he comes back in a limited role, especially if we get Revis, and tries to become the founding member of the 50/30 club. Which he will get because that will be his role in the 2013 defense. Also as a mentor to the young cb’s, on one hand we would have the best man coverage cb’s to mentor and also one of the best zone coverage cb’s to make our young group very well rounded for years to come.
April 20th, 2013 at 7:57 am
@teacherman777….I agree that Ronde WAS the greatest nickle back ever. At 37 he is a different animal. Still love Ronde. Still think he could be used in this defense in specialty roles. Don’t think he is a starting caliber CB any more.
@Capt Tim….we had the worst run defense in the league two years ago also. Look how that changed. No one is comparing any of our corners to Ronde in his prime but Ronde is way past his prime. We have some talent in the corners we have. I still think Gaitor and Johnson can develop into good defenders. Did you expect Rookies to play like vets?? Of course we sucked. Rookies take time to develop. There are exceptions but not many.