Rondé Barber: Folks Who Predicted Doom For The Bucs Might Be Eating Crow
September 18th, 2023
Impressed with Bucs.
This warms Joe’s heart.
Franchise icon and Hall of Fame cornerback Rondé Barber seems to like what he sees with the 2023 Bucs. The Bucs are undefeated at 2-0, despite national media people almost universally believing the Bucs were tanking for Caleb Williams (#CollaspseForCaleb).
Barber seems to think a combination of talent and pride has carried the Bucs to a 2-0 start. As famed JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman pointed out yesterday, since 1990, 64 percent of teams that start 2-0 advance to the postseason, including last year’s Bucs.
Playoff chatter is premature. But the Bucs appear to be a damn scrappy team that opponents don’t want to face.
“For anyone that was willing to discount the Bucs, I think you are eating a little bit of crow right about now,” Barber said while appearing on a video for The33rdTeam.com. “What you have seen (with the Bucs) is a very, very, very talented defense that’s got eight sacks in two weeks.
“Defenses that create turnovers wins games for you.”
That surely has been true the first two weeks. A Christian Izien pick last week just before halftime prevented what would have been a Vikings touchdown.
Then yesterday, Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett’s pick-six sealed the win over the Bears.
Of course, Barber noted it’s not all defense helping the Bucs. So too is discarded quarterback Baker Mayfield.
“[Mayfield] is making some ridiculous plays with his feet and his arm,” Barber said.
In short, Barber is beginning to believe the Bucs are a dangerous team.
“They are better than advertised,” Barber said. “Something tells me the Bucs are a little bit better than we anticipated. They have a lot of talent on this football team and you can tell. They are gamers.”
A week from tonight, the Bucs will honor Barber being awarded his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring. Great that it happens when the Bucs face a team Barber owned.
You know what would rock? Just to screw with Eagles fans, the Bucs should have Barber as an honorary captain and have him walk to midfield for the pregame coin toss wearing a Donovan McNabb jersey.
“What you’ve got is a very, very talented defense […] and a QB who is making some ridiculous plays with his arm and his legs.”
After a 2-0 start, @rondebarber is buying in on the Buccaneers ‼️#GoBucs pic.twitter.com/TizMJCT0KZ
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) September 18, 2023
September 18th, 2023 at 12:11 am
Love it. Connor Orr and Jeff Kerr have already said they were wrong about the Bucs. I believe Orr picked them to win 3 games all year.
Can’t wait to hear what Richard King has to write in his baseball column.
September 18th, 2023 at 12:18 am
The Bucs had better just have an hour of clips of Ronde owning the Eagles and play them during every stoppage for that entire game. Remind the Philly trash why Ronde was the most hated person in that cesspool for years.
September 18th, 2023 at 12:34 am
NINE sacks in two weeks not 8!!
AbsoLUTELY an Awesome performance by the D!
Bend but Don’t break.
September 18th, 2023 at 12:39 am
It’s a long season to go and tougher teams will be coming up, but for sure the Bucs are fun to watch! A nice blend of youth and experience. Could be a fun year to watch!
September 18th, 2023 at 12:40 am
“You know what would rock? Just to screw with Eagles fans, the Bucs should have Barber as an honorary captain and have him walk to midfield for the pregame coin toss wearing a Donovan McNabb jersey.”
Excellence 👏👏👏👏 That would really rock
Could it be possible for Ronde being a honorary captain just for this game, that’s HIS game @joe?
He gave too much good years for the Bucs… I’m glad for all his recognition this year.
GO BUCS!!!
September 18th, 2023 at 1:02 am
I had the Bucs 3-14. My bad. This team is playing hard and they are playing fast, and they are gang tackling. And they’re having fun! Keep it up gentlemen.
Mayfield reminds me of one brett farve back in the day!
September 18th, 2023 at 2:54 am
Canalas is a good OC it appears. Not bad for a rookie.
September 18th, 2023 at 8:25 am
Who were the schedule geniuses that allowed the Eagles to have an “extra” bye week with an day off between games (Thursday night to Monday night)? Seems like the schedule makers are doing the Eagles a favor. Still hope we kick their feathered asses on “Ronde Night Football!”
September 18th, 2023 at 9:00 am
Congratulations Ronde on FINALLY getting his much earned HOF ring and recognition!!! I bet the delay was cos of the usual prejudice against the Bucs. I hope the guys play well against Philly. Baker has got the entire team stoked.
September 18th, 2023 at 9:40 am
lets pump the brakes as Ive seen this movie before. Recall Fitzmagic starting 2-0 when the bucs had the hardest schedule in the NFL. Jameis was suspended Pitts comes in on Monday night- Chris Conte’s career gets ended by a stiff arm. McCoy apologizes to Roethlisberger, and the bucs lose a winnable game to the Steelers and end up 3-5 at the break.
If the Bucs manage to not lose the next 5 games I’ll then be a believer. Eagles on Monday night- Saints in NO, Detroit and the falcons who are playing tough. and then to face the Bills.
September 18th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Why not make Barber an honorary captain for the night? It would be a nice gesture, maybe let him wear the old Orange Crush defense jersey?
September 18th, 2023 at 1:02 pm
While Ronde walks out as the honorary Captain, the video boards should replay the interception from the NFC Championship game. What the hell, replay as often as you like.
September 18th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
ItzOk
Get outta here troll. You play your schedule…ONE week at a time. We will beat Philly. Saints (who WE swept) will be tough but I have that as a W. Detroit lost to Seattle and we also matchup great against the QB-Less falcons.
We will have this Division wrapped up by Early/mid Nov.
September 18th, 2023 at 2:04 pm
I predicted gloom for the Bucs, I am happy to be wrong so far. In fact I kind of like Baker and think maybe the Bucs do not need to be in the Caleb hunt.
September 18th, 2023 at 2:05 pm
I root for wins every week as I don’t want to see the team go through an entire rebuild but I agree with ItzOK. It’s early. Let’s see where the team is at after five games. Every team the Bucs will face till the Tennessee game have noticeably improved.
September 19th, 2023 at 3:44 am
“For anyone that was willing to discount the Bucs, I think you are eating a little bit of crow right about now,”
Truer words have never been spoken!
But the media never admits those things unfortunately. And we still have some here who want us to tank.
Go Bucs1
September 19th, 2023 at 10:50 pm
So, what about 6-1, or 5-2, “ ItzOK?” What, they gotta be/finish Undefeated for YOU to be a “Believer!?” GTFO