“I Knew We Would Be A Better Team.”

February 24th, 2011

Moments after FoxSports.com’s Jay Glazer Twittered the news of Ronde Barbe re-signing with the Bucs Tuesday, the senior citizen of the team appeared on “Movin’ the Chains” co-hosted by Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller heard exclusively on Sirius NFL Radio.

Naturally, Joe transcribed the 15-minute interview.

In this interview, Barber explains the Bucs turned to winners largely thanks to Raheem Morris, how the Bucs have the best offense since he was drafted, the wretched mistake of the heinous Jim Bates Experience, and how he knew from the first day of OTAs last year that Mike Williams would be a stud.

(Joe noticed on Twitter Tuesday night that a Bucs beat reporter who Joe respects a great deal and likes a lot bragged he would have “extensive” quotes from Barber. You want extensive? Keep reading.)

Pat Kirwan: Did you really think — you have been around a long time; good teams, bad teams, average teams — did you really think this was a 10-win team in August?

Ronde Barber: If I did I would be lying. I knew we would be a better team. I knew we would not be a two- or a three-win team like the year before. The talent was there. It showed in the offseason. It showed in the OTAs. Raheem had a lot better grasp on what he was doing as a head coach, how he wanted to run his football team. I didn’t think it would be a 10-win season, but I am glad that it was. It showed for Raheem what he can be as a head coach and showed for us as a young football team what we can do when we played together.

Jim Miller: I might be worried if I was E.J. Biggers or Myron Lewis. You might Brett Favre them. You might out play them the way you are going Ronde.

Barber: I don’t think they want to hear that. I’m used to coming in every offseason knowing someone is trying to take my job. So, they are in line for it and they played well. They stepped up, especially E.J. when Aqib went down at the end of the year. He had to start five or six games and I don’t think if you asked anyone at the beginning of the season if he was going to be able to do that that he would, and he went in and played well. I don’t think it is a matter of me hindering them or not. I’m letting them get their opportunites. They will have to go out in the offseason and work their butts off and beat me out and if they do, maybe my role changes next year? As it stands at the end of last year, I feel good and they will learn a lot from me. Maybe me being around another year makes them better pros and better players?

Kirwan: You are so modest.

Barber: I am but that was modesty with a little bit of arrogance.

Kirwan: Let me react to that, I have two reactions: One, no one will beat you out. No. 2, you have totally screwed up the average age of this young football team.

Barber: Yeah, i know, I keep killing it. You know what? When we released Ryan Sims the third or fourth week because of injury, we were No. 2 in youth and we went right down to No. 1 youngest football team. If I wasn’t there, they may have started to call us a college football team.

Miller: When I look at Raheem Morris, his decision to go back to the roots of the Tampa-2 defense, obviously you would agree it was the right decision but what are the wrinkles? Is it youth or is it guys like you who are able to bring the young guys along? Why has it been so successful?

Barber: The players are good. The Tampa-2 is just a concept. It is not like we play a whole bunch of Cover-2 like we used to in Monte’s early days but the base concepts are similar, they are so easy to understand. You can plug anyone in, really, if they have an understanding and let their athletics kind of take over which is amazing because I think we were down six starters on defense last year. We didn’t really skip a beat. We know we can get better. We know there is still some more learning that needs to be done, more understanding of what teams are trying to do to you that makes those great defenses. It’s just the simplicity of it is its genius. Rah believes that and the coaches Rah has around him believe that. I think we played well because of that last year.

Kirwan: I had dinner with a former head coach the other night who was from a place that was all about scheme defense. He was an offensive guy but he always had scheme defensive guys with him. He said to me, “Now that I am taking time off and looking at things, and the NFL, there is a lot of merit into what Monte Kiffin was doing in Tampa. When I saw Raheem switch gears in midseason, it confirmed to me that you should be simple and play fast, make very slight adjustments — you might cheat a little bit on coverages but work inside tighter or deeper — but to stay inside that defense and play fast.” That’s your biggest advantage in my mind.

Barber: Yeah, allow your athletes to be great athletes. I think that is what is good about it. Schemes work well if your defense is aged and understands what to do in every situation. But there is not a lot of players, with injuries and turnovers in the league, it’s hard to keep a defense together like Pittsburgh. That’s an anamoly. But they have done it well and it works for them.

Miller: It’s got to be nice for your defense to see your offense ring up 20, 24 points each game consistently each week. Sometimes even crossing the 30-point barrer. I have interviewed Josh Freeman a few times on the airwaves but finally got to meet him down at the Super Bowl for the first time. This this kid is the real deal Ronde. This kid is the real deal. He is all that and a bag of chips now. He is something special.

Barber: You are very impressed when you meet him personally both his personality and his physical tools. They are incredible. You meet him in person and you understand how together he is and how calm he is. That demeanor you met at the Super Bowl is the same demeanor he takes to the football field every day. You can see why he is so successful. He just doesn’t panic. He does not have that shock value to him which has made him a good player in such a short period of time. I hate to say it, I have been around a long time. Our offense and that quarterback last year is the best I have been around. I have never had a feeling like if we didn’t play up to par on defense we still had a chance to win and I had that feeling all last year.

Kirwan: Let me ask you this question about your offense and it probably involves your head coach as well. Is it fair to say, observing from the outside, your coach gets the players to play loose? [It appears that] you feel like you can trust the guy.

Barber: That is exactly what it is. He is mellow though he has a lot of energy but he is not always on, not the Jon Gruden type of energy who will give motivational speeches every other day and is in your face yelling at you. He brings a sameness that makes young players feel like he is with them. He has the ablity to make everyone want to be with him and that we are all in it and I have never been around a guy like that. I’ve had some position coaches like that but not any of my four head coaches. I think him losing his first year helped that. We built from the bottom with him. I think that was good for him and good for the football team.

Miller: Are you worried if the [CBA] deal will get done?

Barber: Mildly worried. I don’t think this deal with not get done. They will find a way to keep a great product great. Obviously there are disputes with unions involved with upper management. There will always be issues but I think they both are looking out for the best interests in the game. I think something will get done. There’s a lot of talk and misinformation out there, partly as players, we don’t know everything that is going on. In general, players want to play and we think they actually want us back on the football field.

Kirwan: How are we going to get Tampa fans back in the stadium? There are too many no shows.

Barber: We are hit by the poor economy. Last year was the perfect storm as the original seat licenses when the stadium opened expired. But we have to put a good product on the field. We had a lot of star players let go the past four years and it’s hard for the fans to relate to this football team. But after last year, I think we are ready to see them come back and watch this football team go somewhere in the future.

Miller: Ronde you know what you need to do to get ready, but with a lockout and no OTAs, some of the young players may not. How will this affect the team?

Barber: It’s definetly unfortunate for the young guys. I go into every offseson knowing what I need to do. For the young guys, to be around the organization and the strength coach is hugely beneficial. But Josh will bring the guys together to keep the cohesiveness. The best part of the offseason is to get the guys together. When you come together is when you start building and we need the ability to do that. The real leaders on this team will organize something. Unfortunately, we may not be able to mingle with the coaches and that will be a step back for the young guys.

Kirwan: Mike Williams, he made giant strides last year. The sky is the limit with him. Tell us about covering the guy in practice and what are Bucs fans looking at with him?

Barber: Oh, man. He is not a guy that wows you with his physical presense. He is not the fastest guy but he has that “it” factor. The guy runs great routes. His first OTA, he is running great routes. I never saw a college guy in his first practice that polished. I’m not sure where he got that? He reminds me of Michael Irvin in that he wants to dominate you. He wants to force his will on you. That’s what Mike has. When he has the opportunity to make plays on the football he makes plays on the football.

22 Responses to ““I Knew We Would Be A Better Team.””

  1. Jrock Says:

    WOW. There are sooo many good nuggets in here Joe! I’m happy we brought Ronde back just because of interviews like this. If he wasn’t re-signed, who would the talking heads talk to?

    Few things.
    -We cut Kendrick Vincent, not Ryan Simms which made us the youngest team under the Panthers (where Vincent came from).
    -Ronde says “The real leaders on this team will organize something.” This has to be a direct shot at Jeff Faine. I’m going to post more of what Faine said in the forums that EVERYONE else seemed to miss.
    -I learned even more about Tampa 2, our offense, and Freeman in this inverview than I have in a lot of other articles.

    Great stuff, thanks Joe.

  2. K1ngAdroc Says:

    Ronde, thank you for coming back and giving us another season! You are the epitome of professional on and off the field and I am grateful to get to watch you ball.

    There is no doubt our defense will be better with you and the young guns better get in a good off season or they will be ridin’ pine! Bucs are going to the Dance this year!!!

  3. Dave Says:

    Great interview.

    Got to believe Ronde is secretly hoping he doesn’t have to show up unitl 2 weeks left in training camp though 🙂

    As far as Mike Williams… exactly what I was saying on another post here at JoeBucsFan:

    Give me a WR who runs 4.5, can catch, is physical, and can run routes
    OVER
    the WR that runs 4.3 , drops a few & can’t run routes

    because most burners in colelge have no clue how to run routes.

  4. m.wesley Says:

    only6 starters playing on defense,for the first time the defense didnt have to cover for the offense,im just waiting for the little soft wolf to tell us sheep how bad that was and how its the coaches fault,I know you will find a way,come on get that brain turning

  5. oar Says:

    You guys crack me up! You bitch and complain about the “soft wolves'” comments and want them banned! Yet, you egg them on and want them to give a comment?! Which is it? I guess, since they haven’t commented lately you guys are missing them?

  6. oar Says:

    BTW great interview!
    Thanks, once again Joe, for finding and sharing!

  7. m.wesley Says:

    I dont complain just love to talk football , and wondering how this can be a negative because someone will find one and it will be Rahs fault
    and I never asked for anyone to get banned

  8. Hire Greg Olson! Says:

    Thanks for the transcription Joe, I know how tedious a job that can be.

    Barber: You are very impressed when you meet him personally both his personality and his physical tools. They are incredible. You meet him in person and you understand how together he is and how calm he is. That demeanor you met at the Super Bowl is the same demeanor he takes to the football field every day. You can see why he is so successful. He just doesn’t panic. He does not have that shock value to him which has made him a good player in such a short period of time. I hate to say it, I have been around a long time. Our offense and that quarterback last year is the best I have been around. I have never had a feeling like if we didn’t play up to par on defense we still had a chance to win and I had that feeling all last year.

    I’m gonna read this quote everyday until Josh Freeman is behind center, ready to take his next snap, whenever that may be…

  9. MOBucs Says:

    It’s good to be a Bucs fan! The future looks bright!

  10. Joe Says:

    oar;

    Joe did not “find” the interview. Joe listened live, transcribed it and built a post out of it.

  11. jvato24 Says:

    great Stuff!!

    “But Josh will bring the guys together to keep the cohesiveness. The best part of the offseason is to get the guys together. When you come together is when you start building and we need the ability to do that. The real leaders on this team will organize something”

    But Faine said this couldnt happen .. Sorry Ronde .. lol

    “The Tampa-2 is just a concept. It is not like we play a whole bunch of Cover-2 like we used to in Monte’s early days but the base concepts are similar, they are so easy to understand”

    Barrett Ruud still critical for those deep zone drops ??

  12. oar Says:

    Joe
    That’s cool but, you had to find it to listen to it! “Built a post out it” kinda sounds like sharing? LOL!

  13. oar Says:

    m.wesley
    Sorry. I thought you might have been one of those, since you were kinda fishing for a response from them?

  14. oar Says:

    Joe
    Don’t think, I don’t appreciate the work you put in or do on here! My point was, thanks for sharing it.

  15. Joe Says:

    Guys:

    Thanks for all the compliments. Joe transcribed another interview he hopes to have finished by tomorrow. You will want to check in. VERY enlightening info but Joe won’t spoil who or what. 🙂

  16. m.wesley Says:

    I was searching for one believe it or not you can learn alot from the post that anyone writes whether you agree or not,I dont want to be on a site where everyone has the same opinion.The sheep thing is kinda funny to me because Eric really doesnt have faith in Morris and he feels we are blindly following him if theres another way he means it thats for him and everyone else to figure out.there isnt any football to watch so the next best thing is to discuss it

  17. oar Says:

    m.wesley
    Have to agree and, again sorry if misinterepted! Hey, I was wrong once, but I was mistaken! LOL!

  18. Capt. Troll killer Tim Says:

    So glad Ronde is coming back! He is such a classy and intelligent man. Hope we can let him play to his strengths, and still take a Lil pressure off him this year, cause I hope he comes back Next year also.
    His interviews are always informative and interesting. Thanks for the work getting it to us ,Joe. Good stuff as always!

  19. Joe Says:

    Capt. Tim:

    Thanks. Make sure to check in Friday morning. Very cool article coming from the higher reaches of One Buc Palace.

  20. Capt. Troll killer Tim Says:

    Thanks Joe, I will. I check Everyday! Somehow , you have great articles here every single day. Which is amazing! Even during this typically slow time. This site is absolutely mandatory for Buc fans!

  21. Joe Says:

    Thanks for the kind words Capt. Tim!

  22. K Roly Says:

    “The real leaders on this team will organize something.” I think Rhonde is calling you out Faine.