How Candid Will Ronde Be?
July 5th, 2013
One very smart man knows nearly everything about the New Schiano Order and will have a microphone to tell Bucs fans all its inner secrets this preseason.
That would be Bucs icon Ronde Barber, who now is officially the color analyst on Bucs preseason games broadcast by WFLA-TV, Ch. 8. Barber’s new role was confirmed this week, and it has Joe wondering how candid Barber will be.
Barber is a very sharp cat and he’s got to know he can make a name for himself in broadcasting by not only being intelligent and on point with his Xs and Os takes, but by being edgy and revealing when it comes to his insider knowledge and assessments of players and coaches.
It is Joe’s understanding that the approval of Barber as a broadcaster comes mutually from the Bucs and Ch. 8. And Joe suspects Barber will be free to offer whatever commentary he deems interesting. That could raise some serious eyebrows, especially if Barber takes a page from his brother Tiki’s playbook of former-team bashing.
Yes, Ronde Barber loves the Bucs, but Joe’s observed/studied/talked to Barber over the years, and Joe would be very surprised if Barber will fall into the Chucky mode of praising every player and coach on the field.
Bucs fans might very well learn more about the team during the opening preseason game from Barber, versus what they see on the field against the Ravens.
July 5th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
I just don’t understand why it’s so important to get the dirt on former coaches and players. Joe acts like he’s getting wet between the legs with anticipation. The last thing this team needs before the start of the regular season is some over zealous former player telling a national audience about the private matters that have gone on at One Buc Palace.
I’d much prefer Ronde stick to X’s and O’s rather than upset the apple cart, just so gossiping, tampon wearing, feminist reporters can pass their own judgement or to confirm what they already believe. Please, keep the “dirt” in the family Ronde, not on the networks.
July 5th, 2013 at 1:16 pm
I am so glad that Ronde has chosen to go into Broadcasting. Now we have another “Buc in the Booth”…..We can add him to Sapp & Lynch….and to a much lesser extent Dilfer.
I think Ronde will be a very straight shooter and tell it like it really is/was with clarity.
Unlike Shaun King.
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 11 or fewer points.”
July 5th, 2013 at 1:37 pm
Why do you guys hate King so much? Jeff Carlson is negative about the Bucs allot to, and does not have anywhere near the accomplishments as King in the NFL, but you guys take his word like gospal. It just kind of baffles me at times. King can be a nagitve SOB about the Bucs, but so are many other ex players. Also, how come the defense gets all the credit back in the day and King is crap, but the crap defense of last year gets a pass and the blame all falls on Freeman? Now I know that the defense was the reason we were contenders and why we went to the SB…Shoot, I have been a Bucs fan since they entered the league, so I know my hsare of defense and let down QBs. It just seems people on here pick what fits their agenda when placing blame. I say it was the entire team in both cases. Sometimes one side helps more than the other, but it takes them all.
July 5th, 2013 at 2:56 pm
I wonder if he’ll someday tell us which player said “Can we send these coaches back to college?”? Inquiring minds would like to know!
July 5th, 2013 at 3:34 pm
I remember Tiki taking shots at Eli Manning during the Sunday Night Football pre-game shows and everybody loved what he had to say until Manning won a Super Bowl that year. I feel confident in thinking Ronde is smarter than Tiki.
July 5th, 2013 at 4:15 pm
Fortunately for us Ronde will never and has never been like his brother in that aspect of being.
July 5th, 2013 at 4:18 pm
However I do fully expect him to be honest about our team and it’s players.
July 5th, 2013 at 5:36 pm
@McBuc
I don’t hate Shaun King….I just don’t put much weight on his opinion. I also don’t give him the accolades that Joe give him for taking the Bucs to the NFC Championship game
BECAUSE…
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 11 or fewer points.”
July 5th, 2013 at 10:18 pm
Ronde said on WDAE last season some thing to the order of ( can not remember his exact words)(someone may be able to look it up- an evening program – interviewing Ronde), ” freeman needs to be more serious about the game of football and his play- I believe there was also something about practice”. I fully expect Ronde to be kind, fair and also honest about his assessments of his old teammates. He will tell it like it is in a respectful but candid manor. Isn’t it time for someone to speak truth instead of always making excuses and coddling the players when their play sucks and keeps holding us back from the playoffs. This year, please-please, if someone struggles , no matter who it is, sit his ass on the bench and let someone else try to salvage the game. We would have had a chance to win a couple more last year if that had been the order of business.
July 6th, 2013 at 6:15 am
Ronde will be honest, open and respectful. He may even tell a tale or two. But what he wont do is say something controversial just to draw attention to himself or be overly critical in an attempt to make himself look special by being intolerant of others’ mediocrity. Ronde’s remarks will be factual as he has always done with his signature phrase, “It is what it is.”