Maximizing Ronde Barber

by Sandy Kazmir on Sep 23, 2009 12:30 PM EDT in News Comment 26 comments

Soooo close. (AP Photo/Don Heupel)

So far our defense has looked pretty good, right? Right? Especially that secondary, right? Anybody??? OK, there's no fooling Bucs fans let alone rival offensive coaches. Right now they are licking their chops to play us so that they can send up some fireworks. My solution, since learning that Tanard Jackson has an undisclosed substance abuse problem, is to move Ronde Barber back to FS. This move would not be unprecedented as other players have made the switch. Probably the best example is Hall of Famer Rod Woodson. After starting at corner for 10 years Baltimore decided to put him on the back line. At the age of 34 he had a bit of a renaissance season netting 7 picks and making 54 solo tackles. As an aging player that was never really known for his quicks, this move allowed him to play another five seasons after the switch.

From 1999 to 2003 Rod Woodson started 74 games at FS. In that time he amassed 24 interceptions with 5 of them coming all the way back for TDs. His nose for the ball allowed him to be in position to knock out 3 fumbles as well as pick up 10. In this time he amassed 287 tackles (about 57 a year) while assisting on another 64 (about another 12).

Rod Woodson is not the only example that comes to mind. Aeneas Williams switched over his last two seasons. The same can be said for Troy Vincent and Artrell Hawkins. Two others that made the switch much earlier are Ronnie Lott and Antrel Rolle. Here is a look at their career numbers at each position:

	Barber		R. Woodson		A. Williams		Vincent		Lott		A. Rolle		A. Hawkins		Total
	CB	S	CB	S	CB	S	CB	S	CB	S	CB	S	CB	S	CB	S
Starts	168		154	74	181	26	173	23	66	123	28	16	76	16	678	278
Sacks	23		13.5	0	2	1	4.5	1	3.5	5	0	0	3	1	26.5	8
Int	37		47	24	51	4	42	5	23	40	7	1	10	1	180	75
Int. TD	7		7	5	8	1	3	0	4	1	3	1	1	0	26	8
FF	11		17	3	5	3	11	1	2	14	2	0	10	2	47	23
FR	10		22	10	19	4	9	3	5	12	0	0	6	1	61	30
Fumble TD	4		1	0	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	1
Solo Tackle	755		763	287	577	100	663	61	420	693	157	77	361	65	2941	1283
Assist Tackle	149		43	64	94	23	115	33	0	33	19	11	43	25	314	189

Something common to all of these players is that they could always be found around the ball. That is what you want out of your safety. A thinker that can break down what is going on in front of him and keep it there. There haven't been too many players like Ronde Barber in the history of the league. He's a sure tackler, great blitzer, and can do something when the ball is in his hands. That he is undersized makes me root for him even harder. I would like to see Ronde stick around for a couple of more years and I think a move to FS is the best way to do that.

All numbers compiled from pro-football-reference

If anyone knows any other great examples of guys that made the switch please feel free to name-drop. I couldn't find a truly great resource so I had to go off the top of my head as well as what google was able to spit out.

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Comments

Do you see a player moving from CB to S

as an admittance they can’t hang at CB? Do you think Ronde would be willing to do this or ready to admit he needs a change to stay the league?

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by Buc Wild on Sep 23, 2009 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm guessing another team would employ him as a corner if he were available.

But it’s like moving from shortstop to second/third, can Barber really say “No way I don’t want to move to safety” and come off as a selfish player?

by R.J. Anderson on Sep 23, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just wonder if he would make the move to extend his career

or would leave and hope for anotehr CB job.

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by Buc Wild on Sep 23, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here is the problem with Ronde Barber moving to safety

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7HXhxVjAIE

Nuff said.

by LeeCaz on Sep 23, 2009 1:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Most FS aren't asked to do as much run support as a SS.

He would be involved in just as much if not less plays closer to the LOS.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Sep 23, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Every one always says he is a great tackling corner

but the truth is he WAS a great tackling corner. He is a lot less willing these days to stick his nose in there like he used to. I’ve noticed him arm tackling a lot for the past two seasons. I don’t think he would make a good safety. It’s my opinion.

I agree with your logic. It would naturally be the next move. I just think he is smaller than the other guys listed and he might just have a “little too much bitch” in him to move to FS.

by LeeCaz on Sep 23, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather move him to FS than have him

stay at CB one too many years. They could deploy him in more of a centerfielder role, allow him to use his intelligence in the defensive backfield as opposed to being manned up against WR’s

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by Buc Wild on Sep 23, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One too many years at CB

Is right now, this year!

"Put it on Film" (not on the glass)

by chiefs_55 on Sep 25, 2009 2:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I love the idea. I think it would vastly improve our Secondary.

Two Concerns: Does Ronde Barber have the athleticism to compete at S. Most of his INT’s come from jumping routes or poorly thrown balls. As a S he would be relied on to be the best athlete on the defense. I am not sure this suits a 5’9 – 5’10 Cornerback (Though Woodson wasn’t much taller at 5’11-6’0).

Who becomes the nickel back? Obviously Mack steps in at the #2, which may just be a diversion of all of our problems. Who would be next though? Cox, Arrington? I don’t want to give either of those guys substantial playing time.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Sep 23, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

..and what happens when Tanard Jackson returns?

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Sep 23, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd look for this move to take place (if it ever did)

after the year is over. Tanard could move around back there and be more involved in the run game.

I don’t see Ronde or the team doing this, but it’s an idea both should at least explore.

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by Buc Wild on Sep 23, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. I also think there is way to protect Ronde if you do put him back there.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Sep 23, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was originally a Corner anyways.

I would switch them up……I did it on Madden and it gave Rhonde a 92 rating from an 88. Talk about restarting a career.

by buccanator on Sep 24, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Assuming Sabby learned how to play

we could roll with three safeties back there. Ronde or Sabby could function in the 3rd CB/3rd S roll and be able to adapt. Could be interesting.

Wonder where Flip would go. Nevermind, he’ll be injured for at least part of every year.

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by Buc Wild on Sep 23, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How on Earth did we sign him to a 5 year extension?

He’s got two years left after this year. He has to be headed towards the safety position, otherwise, we eat some bonus money

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by Buc Wild on Sep 23, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Whoops

It expires after 2010, so only 1 year left. 6 million in bonus so a pro-rated hit of $1.2 million if we cut him this offseason. Set to earn $3 million in 2009 and 2010

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by Buc Wild on Sep 23, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll keep him for 3 mil next year.

Depth.

However we are going to have so many ‘needs’ this offseason, who knows what will be fully addressed.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Sep 23, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey

I just wrote a blog about our secondary over at Bucscentral. Can I post a link or will the site ban me again?

by LeeCaz on Sep 23, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You can copy and paste the article as a fan post and include a link if you want.

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by Buc Wild on Sep 23, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man, Eric Berry would be nice

Good Guys Don't use the reply button

by stanleygoober on Sep 23, 2009 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As of now.

But so would a lot of other great defensive talent that will be available FA or via draft.

"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"

by UNFNOLE on Sep 23, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MAN CAN U IMAGIN OUR FIRST ROUND LOOKS LIKE

can u see taylor mays a FS from usc playing for us dam hes going to be a steel, if not how about another DB since ronda barber still here he can teach the rookie some of the ropes, and if not that please a DE soo we can put up sacks not give QB all day, as for our O we just need to run more then pass i hope we put en up set this week agence NY GIANTS like what F.S.U. did to B.Y.U last week lets go bucs

IF U AIN'T A BUC GET THE BUC OUT OF HERE

by WE GOING TO THE SHIP on Sep 24, 2009 1:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs