The Fate Of Ronde Barber
February 26th, 2013
Will he stay or will he go? That’s where the fate of Ronde Barber stands with the Bucs.
One of the greatest cornerbacks to ever play the game, certainly the best to ever wear a Bucs uniform, graybeard Barber is a free agent. So far, the Bucs and Barber, who will turn 38 in April, haven’t had formal talks about next season.
This subject came to Booger McFarland’s mind. The former Bucs defensive tackle and current on-air personality for WHNS-FM 98.7 gave his two cents on Barber’s future, if there is any with the Bucs.
“Ronde Barber. He isn’t talking, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t talking. It is a simple game of chess or is it a we-are-going-to-take-our-time-to-get-into-it? Does Ronde Barber deserve his own say? Can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers force him out the way they forced Derrick Brooks out, the way they forced Warren Sapp out? Or does Ronde Barber deserve to be treated any differently? Right now they are not talking so we don’t know. It is still a business. Just turn the tape on. If he can play, you bring him back. If he can’t, you let him go. Either way, he’s a Hall of Famer.”
Well, as Bucs coach Greg Schiano told Joe in an exclusive one-on-one interview from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week, this is the way the Bucs planned it. They wanted Barber to step away for a while and discuss his future with his family.
It sure seemed by Schiano’s answer and body language he would like Barber back. But perhaps Barber, who only suffered one serious injury to close the 2011 season, may just count his blessings and step away?
No, this isn’t like Brooks or Sapp. Barber is a free agent. Brooks was cut. Sapp was conned by Chucky, and Sapp wound up signing with the Raiders as a free agent.
Joe doesn’t sense any shenanigans whatsoever between the Bucs and Barber. Joe is confident the combine took priority. Now that it is over, perhaps Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik and Schiano will break bread with Barber this week, over team-pre approved pasta, and find out if the two can come to an agreement or not.
If Barber doesn’t come back, then obviously the Bucs will be in the market for a safety.
February 26th, 2013 at 6:23 pm
I’m glad you straightened that out Joe. I have a feeling you’ll need to do this a lot more in the future. They/He should pay you for this. Hahaha…
February 26th, 2013 at 8:15 pm
The Atlanta Falcons genuinely want Gonzalez back. Is this the laid-back approach they’re taking? No! They are actively and openly recruiting Gonzalez to come back.
The Bucs are making a all for dignity here. They want Ronde to make this call, but they want him to make the right call that’s a win win for both parties. They believe Ronde knows what the right call should be!
February 26th, 2013 at 8:27 pm
@macabee
I don’t think it’s fair to compare the Gonzalez situation to Barber’s. Gonzalez stated prior to the season it would be his last and never changed his tune even after the last game. Therefore, I feel the public “Begging” for Gonzales to return is a good play by the chickens.
I respect the way the Bucs have treated Ronde over the last few years. I hope he comes back to help with the influx of new and YOUNG DB’s the team will draft or sign.
@Joe great stuff from the combine. thank you!
February 26th, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Just go after WR’s and RB’s….a CB or two.
Poker faces guys.
February 26th, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Dang I can post now!
February 26th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
I would love to see us trade back and get a bunch or 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks. We can take BPA/need/risk with a higher quantity of picks, ideal in a draft with a deep pool of CBs “3 rounds deep? Doing this will lessen the risk on honey badger.
February 26th, 2013 at 11:03 pm
I think Ronde comes back for one more year, his last one.
February 26th, 2013 at 11:09 pm
I’m sticking by my gut feeling that Barber is done. The late season collapse, especially the Eagles debacle, crushed him and sealed this fate in my opinion ( again, just my take ). What a fantastic career if so…
February 26th, 2013 at 11:42 pm
Veteran leadership is worth $omething. This team does not have enough leaders and for the right price bring him back for sure if he’s on board.
February 27th, 2013 at 12:16 am
Stevek. I agree with you a 100 percent I think there’s some good talent in the 2nd and 3rd round picking up khassem Greene and maybe carringer defensive end out of Florida state both in the second would he nice and in the third a guy like s.Thomas from Syracuse would be perfect to replace barber
February 27th, 2013 at 12:22 am
tmaxcon:
Tons of stuff.
Thanks for the compliments. Hope you like it.
February 27th, 2013 at 12:29 am
I can hear the Ronde haters drumming the message that Ronde has been tackeled and put out of the game by father time. May I just remind them of the very decent stats he continues to put in the history book. He certainly has another year in him, but the decision is his to make. Please Dominic, be true to your word and don’t pull a double cross on this dedicated Buccanner Man.
February 27th, 2013 at 7:38 pm
If they don’t bring back Barber, I hope he retires. I don’t want him to come back to Tampa in another uniform like lynch and sapp did and kick our ass.