Could Ronde Barber Make A Return To Corner?

October 13th, 2012

So now the Bucs are in a pickle. Aqib Talib got poppped for popping Adderall, Anthony Gaitor in on the injured reserve/return list and Eric Wright is trying to come back from a head injury and always seems to be playing hurt.

So the next man up at corner appears to be Myron Lewis, who has yet to establish himself as an NFL cornerback the past three years.

Could graybeard Ronde Barber be making a comeback to corner?

While moving Barber to corner may create a hole at safety, fellow safety, rookie Mark Barron has proved he can handle himself quite nicely. Ahmad Black, when he has played, has done well.

Joe wouldn’t be shocked if, after the Chiefs game (there’s scant time to prepare for a new defensive backfield scheme in 24 hours with no practice), that Bucs coach Greg Schiano could use Barber at corner in some plays.

The Bucs have the worst pass defense in the league. Without Talib, it just got worse, with Dwayne Bowe and company in Tampa as Joe types this.

38 Responses to “Could Ronde Barber Make A Return To Corner?”

  1. The Dutcher Journal (Pete Dutcher) Says:

    I like Barber at safety. He is doing really good there.

    Are there any acceptable temporary fixes on the market?

  2. 1976Buc Says:

    Not sure about this game but for sure he could return. He may have lost a step but he makes up for it with smarts.

  3. BigBear Says:

    What about Brandon MacDonald? EJ Biggers? Both up before Myron Lewis!

  4. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    “Are there any acceptable temporary fixes on the market?”

    I think Saturday afternoon is a little too late to pick up a cornerback, fly him to Tampa, sign him to a contract, fit him with a uniform, make him sprint 110X16 gauntlets, bring him up to snuff on the defensive signals and expect him to play Sunday afternoon.

    Of course, I have never been involved in organized sports before, but I sense a logistical problem there.

  5. Deminion Says:

    I like ronde at safety might as well put Lewis in…. Biggers can’t tackle McDonald I’m still think bout tha Bennett TD

  6. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    @Joe,

    I’ve been a loyal follower to your site for years now. It is my favorite site by a mile, but I’m at the point where I can’t take any more of this trash that you know who continues to spew. It’s the same repetitive nonsense day in and day out. It doesn’t matter what article you write, it’s going to somehow be the same old crap about Schiano over and over and over again. I don’t even want to read the comments anymore, which is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy this site. I’m sure you know (as we all do) exactly what this guy is doing, and it’s killing this site. We can’t even have a legitimate conversation about the Bucs without his nonsense wasting everyone’s time. I’m not asking for him to be banned, but is there something that can be done to limit the repetitiveness? Can we at least stay on topic?

  7. Mike J Says:

    I don’t want to see Ronde at corner. What about Biggers & McDonald? E.J. is the listed second-stringer.

  8. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    @Hawaiian

    I thought the topic was filling the cornerback slot? I never even mentioned the head coach. I even referenced Peter’s rhetorical question.

    Do you always cry to Daddy when you don’t get your way?

  9. SteveK Says:

    Just checking in for the first time today, we are such an effing disaster.

    Release Talib, immediately. F*ck his couch.

  10. Jonny 3.3 Says:

    @ Pete Ducher: May be its time you started watching football for a change. Ronde Barber should not even see the field as a FS. Ahmad Black, for as mediocre as he is, is an upgrade over Barber at FS. If you have watched our secondary carefully, you will see a lot of big plays and completions being allowed around Barber, the FS. The guy is washed up and its looking obvious.

    Now that Talib is injured, Barber may see some time as a nickel or dime CB. Because the ones behind Talib including the likes of Eric “garbage” Wright are few of the worst in the league.

  11. raphael Says:

    Barber has lost a step, he is too slow tp play corner anymore…

  12. SteveK Says:

    @ Hawaiian,

    Miguel only referenced the 16×110’s that were completed as a right of passage to “conditioning”.

    My curiosity is sparked, his Joe-ness, would an emergency signee be subject to the NFL’s best version of a marathon?

    If yes, then I believe Schiano’s Methodolgy is wrong. I hope we can sign somebody for tomorrow.

    We already signed Haynesworth out of
    desperation. I say screw the gauntlet run and take a chance on a guy.

    Afterall, Blount got his chance.

  13. SteveK Says:

    Jonny3.3,

    C’mon man! Eric Wright has Made some splash plays. He is now our best CB by leaps and bounds.

  14. Jbrooks8604 Says:

    I would like to see Barber back at nickel. As others have admitted, Ronde isn’t playing too great at safety. Let him do what he’s best at for the remainder of his days and let Black take Free safety.

  15. J-VilleBucs84 Says:

    It’s one of those things. What do you trust more Barber at CB and Black at FS or Barber at FS and Biggers at CB. I like Black better as my FS then Biggers as my #2 CB.

    This should be Marks last year at GM. Some of his picks could work out. I like Williams, Foster,Barron and David, but stupid picks like a Punter. That could have been Arian Foster or Blount come on be smarter than that. I want better for my team with were we’ve been drafting not just with Dominik with Allen also. The Glazers need to invest in a good GM. Find one to pull out of retirement, Do something. Hey how about instead of a A.Benn Mark you don’t move up to get him and sit and take a Victor Cruz. The team we could of had if we had a good GM.

  16. admin Says:

    Joe here,

    @Hawaiian – You’re always free to not read the comment when you see Miguel’s name atop it.. It’s quite easy, and Joe can pretty much guarantee you won’t be missing anything. Miguel just hasn’t reached the banning point. Sorry. Joe tries to stay consistent. Miguel doesn’t always take it off topic.

  17. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    Good thing we kept 24 cornerbacks coming out of training camp right?

  18. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    @SteveK,

    He’s also mentioned it on 3 separate posts, and that’s just today. I know he can’t, but I know you can see that’s what I was complaining about. I know it’s not probably not going to make any difference (which is fine, it’s Joe’s site), but I thought I would just put it out there, and perhaps Miguel could be man enough to take a step back and tone it down (as I did when I realized I was devoting too much time arguing with him and I was coming across as just as big of an arse hole as him), but I know that’s just wishful thinking. I’m dealing with a little boy with a lot of issues, so I was stupid for thinking that.

    As for the conditioning test, I don’t think there’s been any proof that says that players are still forced to take it. I’m not saying they don’t, but I personally doubt they do. I really could care less, because it’s really not that bad, depending on the time they are permitted. Judging by the fact that no one has died or been sent to the hospital, I think they’re ok. My entire high school basketball career consisted of 4 trash cans at each corner of the court. Trust me, they weren’t there for recycling. We threw up, and we kept practicing (although I’m proud to say I never did, but came pretty damn close on many occasions). We didn’t cry about it.

  19. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    @Joe,

    Yeah, I’m trying to do that. Easier said than done for me unfortunately. Again, I’m not asking for him to be banned, but it would be nice if he didn’t repeat the same crap multiple times per day.

  20. JerseyBucsfan Says:

    Let him move down to corner. I even think black would end up doing better than barber there and could show us something for the furture and don’t forget grimm is always around. I believe lewis will do just fine

  21. T. Bass Says:

    Move Ronde to slot corner and put A. Black in at free safety in nickel situations

  22. BigMacAttack Says:

    Hawaiian Buc I feel your pain.

    I think I annoy some readers at times but I don’t hate on the team like some do….. Constantly.

    I looking forward to the game tomorrow and think we will do well.

    Good day of college football.

    Anxious to see Trueblood at RG and Martin and Blount in the backfield together.

    Go Bucs!!!

  23. Hawaiian Buc Says:

    @BigMac,

    Anyone that gets annoyed by you is stupid, lol. Just read on Pewter Report that Meredith is starting at RG tomorrow, not Trueblood. Interesting.

  24. lurker Says:

    wow miguel, you are still a waste of space! your stupid little conspiracy theories are still tiring. all the name-calling, and yet you whine and cry when you get called names.

    you have shown on numerous occasions your mental illness issues. not even mentioning your thoughts on cancer as a fungus and taking dangerous, umproven remedies, all against scientific evidence. you are such a joke, jerk, and jagoff who trolls this site for his own nefarious reasons.

    i just hope this is all some attention-seeking behavior and not a real, sick person who is allowed to contaminate the minds of his children with such craziness.

    ps thanks for missing me. this site isn’t the be all, end all of my life, unlike you obviously.

  25. Bucobruce Says:

    What are some of your picks for the BUCS game tommorow.I got BUCS 42-17 over the Chiefs.The offence will be great in the air and ground like fed ex.We will get a big lead and it will cause Quinn to throw some picks some for pick six.

  26. Rob Says:

    El Idiotico always has to get his two cents in on every topic but he usually just bashes the head coach and every decision that he makes. I for one like Schiano, albeit he is not perfect. I am proud of how the Bucs have competed so far this year. With a play or two going our way in each loss, we easily could have won two or three of those games. The current Bucs are still a work in progress and we have to be patient folks. No one expected a miracle year this year. I believe we can still finish 8-8 or 7-9 which is an improvement. At least we are in each game until the end. If Freeman gets a little more accurate through all four quarters, the wins will come.

  27. Bucobruce Says:

    This just in, Quinn was caught crying because he keeps having dreams of GMC tearing his heart out and eating it.

  28. espo Says:

    Ronde is good for the occasional splash play at either position, but isn’t consistent at either position. That can hurt us or save us. It all depends on timing/clutch. As for Sunday, I don’t see any difference in our gameplan. Line him up at safety or let him play zone in the slot. He’s done that enough already this year with Black in at safety to where I don’t see any difference, aside from lacking Talib.

    Hawaiian Buc, let Miguel speak. He doesn’t seem to be able to comment without bias but no matter how ignorant some of his comments are, its apparent he is a Bucs fan and wants us to succeed. I have no problem with that. The moment we start getting banned from this site for having an opnion is the moment I quit coming to this site. This is a fan blog first and foremost; operated by a fan and supplemented by other fans.

  29. Buc Fan #237 Says:

    Seriously guys… the guantlet was a conditioning test at the beginning of training camp…. sheesh!

    Players signing during the season don’t have to do that crap. Come on, use your heads.

  30. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    #237

    I believe you are incorrect. if a player is allowed onto the roster without running the gauntlets, the Bucs will be subject to lawsuits by the players whose careers were ended by them. (Price and Okoye).

    Please notice that there are NO players that have been signed and passed the gauntlets that have actually played in an actual game. Tired leg syndrome?

    I do agree with you that the tests are crap.

  31. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    Please notice that there are NO players that have been signed and passed the gauntlets that have actually played in an actual game. Tired leg syndrome?

    Correction: there are no RECENTLY signed players that have passed the gauntlets that have actually played

  32. rican Says:

    there goes what the little hope in the secondary we had…

  33. Gus Says:

    @Miguel you have NO idea what you are talking about. The team can not be sued for 1. There is no proof that the gauntlet and not previous injuries ended their careers. 2. There careers aren’t even over yet anyway. 3. Any injury in practice is at no fault of the team unless there is a circumstance in which the players are doing activities that will cause immediate and lasting injuries( there is no proof that RUNNING causes any of these) I understand you don’t like the fact that the coach put them through that gauntlet at the end of the season. WE GET IT! Its already happened! MOVE ON!

    I shutter to think what our defensive backfield will look like without our most talented corner. Hate to say it but this could be a coming out party for Quinn. Then he will suck again. This will be his bright and shinning moment. I really hate saying that but I honestly think thats true.

  34. Kyle Says:

    Hawaiian im with you I love this site but Miguel really does make me want to stop coming to Joe’s site. I love my team and as much crap that spews from his mouth will never deter me from coming here but it’s fans like you that I do. Screw him man we love our bucs and he can’t take that away from us

  35. UK_Buc Says:

    I think you are missing the point Miguel.

    Your are complaining that none of the guys we sign off the street immediately because of the conditioning tests

  36. kenny Says:

    bucs will right the ship it is a work in progress

  37. Ladyz Says:

    All you wanting ronde goon, where would we be without him today?

  38. Ladyz Says:

    Gone not goon!