Bucs Headed For Cash Showdown With Barber?

January 22nd, 2011

When word first broke Tuesday that Raheem Morris made bold, confident statements about Ronde Barber returning for 2011, Joe wrote how much that could hurt the Bucs’ negotiating stance with Barber. 

It seems St. Pete Times writer Rick Stroud not only has those same thoughts, Stroud said Mark Dominik was no fan of Raheem’s bravado.

 “Mark Dominik would have preferred that [Raheem] woudn’t have named him the starting right corner, because now he has to pay him that way,” Stroud said during an interview with J.P. Peterson on 1010 AM yesterday.

Ouch. Joe hopes Raheem didn’t cost Team Glazer an extra million dollars.

The Barber situation is interesting. Barber surely will go after as much money as he can. Who could blame the guy? And the Bucs would be somewhat over a barrel on the public relations front if they play hardball with him.

On Thursday, former Bucs guard Ian Beckles, co-host of The Ron and Ian Show on WDAE-AM 620, said he’s sure Team Glazer and Dominik will let Barber test the market if he asks for $4 million. Barber completed his reported five-year, $24 million contract this season. So it’s not hard to imagine Barber asking for at least that much.

Joe hopes both sides get a deal done quickly. The mere thought of Barber on the Bears or Giants is causing Joe to dry heave.

11 Responses to “Bucs Headed For Cash Showdown With Barber?”

  1. Blake Says:

    He’d confuse a lot of people if he signed with the Giants. I bet he’d get tired of getting hearing, “Hey asshole…oh, you’re not Tiki!”

  2. Brad Says:

    This is a chance for the Glazers to prove their not cheap. What better way to send a message to the rest of the club that they will take care if their own.

  3. JDouble Says:

    1st. Barber already said he won’t play for another team. It’s either come back as a Buc or retire. So Joe can stop heaving.

    2nd. I think there is a good chance of this becoming a money issue.

    Here’s the breakdown on Dunta Robinson six-year contract, which included a $7 million signing bonus:

    His salary cap numbers are $12 million in 2010, $6.5 million in 2011, $7.75 million in 2012, $8.75 million in 2013, $10.75 million in 2014 and $11.25 million in 2015.

    If a scrub like Dunta Robinson got that kind of money last year, Barber, even though he is old, will be worth at least 6 or 7 million for one year. The Glazers won’t pay that, so it will be upto Barber to either except less or retire. I see him getting a $5 million one year deal.

  4. admin Says:

    Joe here,

    @jdouble – Joe knows Barber said he’ll only be a Buc. But that was a while ago and things could easily change. Money talks, especially if he truly has that hunger to play.

  5. Capt.Tim Says:

    Lol – Raheem’s enthusiasm might have got him in a Lil trouble this time! That’s alright, it’s good to show his Players that he has loyalty to the best! And Rhonde is truly the Best! Still would like them at least entertain the Idea of the move to Safety. It extended Ronny Lotts career by years. Plus, as cerebral of a Player as Ronde as, he would pile up interceptions at Safety. And still an intimidating hitter. Just a thought, but any thing to give Rhonde more turnover opportunities, the better. And whe Rhonde finally stops playing, he should move right on to a coaching posistion here. Possibly the most intelligent Buc ever!

  6. Pete 422 Says:

    Pay the man what he is worth for a one year deal. In the short run, it is a good football move & long run, it’s a good PR move.

  7. Joke Says:

    Was Stroud speculating, or was that actually straight from Dominik? Hard to tell from his quote.

  8. Leighroy Says:

    So I’m confused, was Ronde UNAWARE that he was the starting right corner this season? Is anyone under any illusions that EJ biggers or Myron Lewis are ready to start all 16/18 games OVER Ronde or Aqib? How does stating something Ronde, the Glazers, Dominik, Raheem and Ronde’s agent know anyway change anything?

  9. Thomas 2.2 Says:

    Yes joe and hawaiian have labeled ej biggers a “stud.”
    By that standard, i may also qualify.
    Hilarious.

  10. Coburn Says:

    “It’s just a matter of deciding how much he’s worth and all that. But our starting right cornerback will be back. He’ll be our starting right corner as long as he keeps playing at a high level. “

    Think Mr. Stroud is jumping to conclusions. He referred to him as our starting right corner which is correct as he just finished the season starting there. Think Stroud missed the ‘if’ part. Heck if Myron Lewis plays at a high enough level he’ll be the starter as well. That statement is true for anyone at any position. I don’t see anything that really jumps out at me in that statement. Every starter will remain a starter if they continue to play at a high level or they get replaced.

  11. Tuggz Says:

    the fact that we’re still talking about Barber on the field is insane. ageless wonder.