Getty ImagesRonde Barber is coming back.
Barber, the Buccaneers cornerback who had been mulling retirement, has decided that he will return for his 16th season in Tampa Bay, Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports.
Although Barber will turn 37 in a couple weeks and isn’t the same player he once was, the Bucs’ coaching staff and front office made clear that they wanted his veteran presence back as part of a young secondary that may get younger if the Bucs — as many expect them to — use the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft on LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne.
Barber started all 16 games last season, the 12th consecutive season he’s done so, and he has the longest active streak of consecutive starts in the NFL, starting 199 games in a row.
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He’s Favre without the drama. Good for you Ronde good luck.
Meanwhile, Tiki Barber will return to work at Burger King for his second season.
Thrilled to have him back. Absolute local hero and hall of famer.
I admit, I’m not sure how good he is anymore, Bucs fans – is this a good thing or bad thing?
Good = up, Bad = down
Barber and Claiborne will hold down the Bucs secondary next year while Talib holds down the secondary for the Mean Machine. Everybody wins.
HOF. No argument, if he played in a big market it would be 1st ballot no question. Sapp, Brooks, Barber, Lynch. HOF.
Tiki is flabbergasted!
Class Act….Glad to hear.
Over / under on number of comments that contain some sort of Tiki/flabbergasted reference?
Definitely isn’t the same player, but still played better than every DB on the roster last year, including Talib.
Class act and good move by management. Always good to have a vetran like him to school the new kids.
Glad to see this happen! Even at his old age he is still a top 10 CB.
Ronde should be considered for the hall of fame whenever he becomes eligible. He was one of the best corners in the NFL when the Buccaneers won their title, is a TD scoring machine when he gets the ball, and he’s the only player ever to have 40+ sacks and 40+ INTs in his career (might need to be fact checked).
If only we could clone him…
Yeah, he’s Favre without all of those records and accomplishments and hall of fame career. Besides that, he’s exactly like Favre.
Welcome back Ronde, glad to have you back. Need you to help teach some of these youngins how to play before you leave.
Ronde is the G.O.A.T! Greatest Buc Of All Time!
Hall of Fame after fantastic career.
he’s the only player ever to have 40+ sacks and 40+ INTs in his career (might need to be fact checked)
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My bad he only has 27 career sacks. Still only corner to have numbers like this though
Ronde still is the best slot-cover corner in the NFL.
If only alstott would come back…
bearsstillsuck says:
Mar 21, 2012 5:57 PM
Yeah, he’s Favre without all of those records and accomplishments and hall of fame career. Besides that, he’s exactly like Favre.
-and don’t forget without the dick pics sent while he was married, the sexual harrassment allegations… . Besides that, he’s exactly like Favre.
If Tampa takes Claiborne. he better ask the Bucs to room him with Ronde. As much as I hate Ronde for ripping my heart in 02, he’s still got it and will be in the HOF when he decides to retire. Too bad Tiki doesn’t have the same class as Ronde.
I’d say that is some mad Ronde love from Buc fans; if only his brother followed his example…completely different cats.
Claiborne will get to learn from one of the best
Couldn’t think of a better locker room influence and mentor to the young secondary. I’m glad he decided to return, and he makes me proud to be a Bucs fan. Now, let’s get a solid middle LB, draft Claiborne, and start on the road to return!
Yeah buddy, welcome back Ronde. Now we got Ronde, Wright and soon Claiborne, I like the sound of that
The INT he picked against Donny McFatt & the Eagles in the NFC Championship still gives me chills. It was at that moment I knew we were going to win the Super Bowl that year
Well, Tampa/St. Pete is the biggest TV market in Fla. Maybe that will get him a 1st ballot nomination. He’s earned it. Glad he’s back!
ralzdmann says: Mar 21, 2012 6:24 PM
The INT he picked against Donny McFatt & the Eagles in the NFC Championship still gives me chills. It was at that moment I knew we were going to win the Super Bowl that year
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This. I remember being so nervous the whole week prior to this game. The Bucs had no luck in cold weather games (they did win their first ever cold weather game at the Bears in the finale that year, QBed by Henry Burris — lol remember him Bears fans?) When Barber made the pic I lost my voice yelling for him to score. Not a Buc Fan but wanted to see those guys win one.
At 37 he’ll still be better than Terrance Newman.
Now he’s a guaranteed Hall of Famer since he stayed loyal. At least one of the twins could take the punishment. A tiny guy like Ronde having to hit big fullbacks and linemen is probably more of a punishment than Tiki at running back.
Morris Claiborne is a heckuva defensive back who should have a great career in the NFL. It would be terrific if he could have a season being mentored by a veteran of Barber’s caliber. Win-win for the Bucs.
Class act all the way! The Bucs locker room needs Ronde Barber. The NFL needs more players like Ronde Barber. Be safe Ronde ! GO BUCS!
how do we know it wont be tiki under that helmet o.0
Tiki is…… very happy for his dear brother.
Boy, NFL cornerback is a TOUGH position
for a 37 year old guy. My hat’s off to him.