I still live by one saying when it comes to the game of football. Offense will forever win you games, but defense to this very day still wins you championships. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense is still the best I’ve ever seen step on a football field. Some of the others I’ve enjoyed watching are the 2015 Denver Broncos, the 2013 Seattle Seahawks and the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers. There’s one group that you never really hear much about and that’s the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They were a tough unity to move the football on. With John Lynch, Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp, they had a formidable big three. There was also another guy who was just as important as who I just listed and his name is Ronde Barber. After years and years of waiting, Ronde will finally be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and get his more than deserving gold jacket and bust in Canton.
I don’t think people realize how good Ronde was. He played everywhere such as in the box, in the slot and of course, on the perimeter defending Wide Receivers. The versatility was always an underrated part of his game. Wherever he was, Ronde was determined to make a play. He’s also one of the smartest Defensive Backs I’ve seen play the game. Against the run, he had no issues at all making tackles and getting the jersey dirty. There would also be times when the Buccaneers would call the impossible to defend corner blitz and Ronde would get after the Quarterback. In coverage was where he earned his living. Ronde was a true ballhawk and had the ability to lure a Quarterback into throwing the ball sooner rather than later. He always had his eyes on the Quarterback when he dropped back in coverage. His focus is what made him a great Cornerback. It was how he broke on the route and the ball so quickly. Ronde’s football IQ was extremely high. He mastered playing different parts of the defense and you just never knew where he was going to be or what he was going to do. His most memorable play came in the 2002 NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Talk about being in the right place at the right time, Ronde intercepted Donovan McNabb and that play helped send the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl.
I don’t think Tampa Bay wins that Super Bowl without Ronde Barber back in 2003. What a career he had. He is the only Defensive Back in the history of this game with 40 interceptions and 20 sacks. Ronde has also accounted for 14 touchdowns in his career. He was the Jack of all Trades guy that each defense always wanted on their team. Now, he’ll join Sapp, Lynch and Brooks in Canton forever.
