The evidence against Ronde Barber has been mounting this season. Then came Sunday's second half against the Lions.

Imagine Warrick Dunn trying to guard Shaq in the paint in a pickup basketball game. Comical, pathetic visual, huh.

Well, that’s what Ronde Barber has looked like against a long list of wide receivers this season.

• Today it was Calvin Johnson.
• In New Orleans, there was his slip-and-fall in man coverage for an 80-yard TD.
• Don’t forget Bears non-stud Brandon Lloyd making Barber look old.
• Oh, and Greg Jennings of the Packers, too.
• We’ll give Barber a pass for flailing multiple times against tight end Tony Gonzales in the near loss at Kansas City. Only because Gonzales is a future Hall of Famer.
• Last week Barber’s missed tackle on a sure sack of stiff Gus Frerotte forced Derrick Brooks to channel his speed of 10 years ago to breakup a definite TD throw to Adrian Peterson.

There are other examples, too. But Joe knows you get the point.

Today, though, just when it was time to stop making excuse after excuse for Barber and legitimately – and painfully – say he’s washed up, Barber goes ahead grabs two key interceptions, with the second a vintage Barber timing play for a TD return.

So which is it, Ronde? Joe wants to believe you’ve still got it. That you can make more plays than you allow. Are you back from the dead, or just teasing us with a couple of plays?

You got five more games to clear the air. We’re pulling for you.