Ronde Barber Provides Reasons To Believe in 2023 Bucs

“Let’s be honest, this team mortgaged themselves pretty heavily to be in the position they were in the last three years,” Barber said.” They won a Super Bowl, made the playoffs – they could have gone back-to-back. It worked; this has been a franchise that has been on the low end of expectations for a long time. The moves that Jason and his guys made really put this team in a position to win – and win now. That’s what they needed to do. So losing the best quarterback of all time would presumably mean that they’re going to take a step back.”

General manager Jason Licht recently admitted that he did some Dollar Store shopping to bring in some players on upside deals. The biggest of those being quarterback Baker Mayfield, safety Ryan Neal, defensive tackle Greg Gaines, and offensive linemen Matt Feiler, among others. Each has a chance at being a starter or a key contributor at a low cost.

Even Licht’s bigger expenditures – cornerback Jamel Dean and outside linebacker Anthony Nelson – can potentially provide surplus value. The hope is that these additions and re-signings will supplement the core already in place.

Ronde Barber: “There’s Still A Whole Lot Of Talented Players On This Team”

“As I look at it, there’s still a whole lot of talented players on this team,” Ronde Barber said. “A lot of talented players. I mean, on offense, you can name [about] five guys that could be considered the tops of their positions.

“Both wide receivers [Mike Evans and Chris Godwin], obviously if Tristan Wirfs is as good at left tackle as he is at right tackle. He’s one of the best players in the league of all positions. Ryan Jensen was coming off a Pro Bowl year before he got hurt.”

That is not to say there are no concerns on the offensive side of the ball. The offense had Evans, Godwin, and Wirfs surrounding Tom Brady last season – and those were the only real bright spots. The hope is that the quarterback situation does not sink the ship and that the Bucs are truly good enough to overcome the question marks.

“I look at the quarterback situation and say – if that position gets right, if Dave Canales figures out how to make this friendly for whoever is playing quarterback there – this could be a really good offensive team” Barber said.”I know they have questions upfront. Four guys playing new positions. Who cares? This team is good enough to figure this out. I think Luke Goedeke going to right tackle is probably a benefit for him. He was probably more suited to that position even though he didn’t fit that “mold.” He might be really good at tackle, and we’ll get a chance to see that.”

Could There Be Devin White-Ronde Barber Parallels?

Ronde Barber dove deeper in evaluating a side of the ball he knows just a bit better – the defense.

“Then you look at the other side of the ball, a [combination of] two of the best middle linebackers in football,” Barber said. “Devin [White] didn’t play his best year last year, but he’s a hell of a player. Great athlete, and when he figures out when he wants to be the best linebacker in football, he will be the best linebacker in football. I said that going into last year’s preseason, I’ll say the same thing. Lavonte [David] is so consistent, and if Shaq Barrett comes in and at least gets halfway back to what he was, they’re better up front.”

What stands out in this comment is the potential parallel White has to Barber. It was not until Bucs defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin helped propel Barber by embedding within him the belief that he could develop into more than he thought was possible before the 2001 season.

Before that year, Barber was still trying to hang on, and while the buds were there, he had not truly blossomed. When he decided to flip the switch and become the best version of himself, he set the stage for his Hall of Fame career.

He recorded a league-leading ten interceptions in 2001 and was key to putting the Bucs’ defense on the map. In doing so, he also became a “prototype” for his position.

Connecting this back to White, there is no doubt he could be a special player and have his best football still ahead of him. He has shown it in flashes, but like Barber pre-2001, it has not all come together just yet.

Playing on the fifth year option of his rookie contract, it would serve White well to elevate his play to another level and get his payday. All of those tools are in his toolbox to become the best inside linebacker in football. He has recently been humbled, and his focus is now on the season after his trade request did not lead to a new deal or destination.

The question that looms large regarding White is: How badly does he want to be the best? Is he more than just a flickering light bulb, or can his abilities illuminate and stay on for every game this season? That will determine his trajectory, just like it did for Barber when he saw himself at a career crossroads.

Discussing the secondary, Barber thinks that “Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean are a great combination at corner. Can they get more turnovers? Absolutely. You can somewhat rely on them to be sturdy game-in and game-out. Antoine Winfield Jr. is probably a top-ten safety in the league.” 

Barber concluded by mentioning how the recent sky-high expectations have to some extent distorted the predictions that the team will crash and burn back to Earth.

“There are good players on this roster, it’s just the expectations of Super Bowl, playoffs, playoffs have everybody thinking they’re in for a major [regression],” Barber said.”

Ronde Barber Is Bullish On Baker Mayfield’s Talent

After Baker Mayfield completed eight of nine passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in the preseason opener against the Steelers, he largely shined under the Tampa Bay sun that he thinks is hotter than Cancun. While some see Mayfield as a bust who did not pan out in Cleveland, struggled mightily in Carolina, and had a brief cup of coffee in Los Angeles, Barber does not see it that way.

Instead, he sees a player entering a more favorable situation than he had in previous stops. Not only is he playing in a more quarterback-friendly offense, but his supporting cast and confident personality may allow him to fully showcase what made him the first overall pick back in 2018.

“Baker Mayfield, to be honest with you, is probably in a better situation than he was in, not only in Carolina but maybe in Cleveland,” Barber said. “He played for a great coach for a month when he was in L.A. [in Sean McVay], and I think we saw at the end of the year, Baker’s a gamer. You just got to put him in a position to work with his strengths. I don’t think they did that in Cleveland. I didn’t study him enough to really know, but I know how talented he is.

“He’s a talented guy, and he’s got a great personality. A dude’s dude. He’s won over the locker room, it feels like he’s as comfortable here as he’s ever been in any other place. I don’t know that for a fact, but it seems like he’s comfortable here. I think he’s ready for this competition with Kyle, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes out on top of it, but that’s what preseason is for. I’m looking forward to covering that aspect of this team.”

Whether it’s Mayfield or Kyle Trask who comes out victorious in the quarterback competition, the talk of the Bucs reverting back to losing is something Barber does not see. He has a valid case.

“My number one point is – who else in the NFC South can take this by the horns and go?” Barber said.

Watch Ronde Barber On The Pewter Report Podcast

Bucs legend Ronde Barber joined Scott Reynolds and Matt Matera to discuss his Hall of Fame career as well as the current 2023 Bucs on a recent episode of the Pewter Report Podcast.