Making the HOF case for Bucs’ Ronde Barber
Ronde Barber has become quite familiar with the road to Canton, yet he's never reached the finish line.
On Tuesday, Barber was named a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist for the sixth consecutive year, giving the former Buccaneers defensive back another shot at immortality.
Barber spent his entire 16-season career with Tampa Bay, producing a stellar resume. He holds the franchise record for interceptions (47), defensive touchdowns (14), games (241) and games started (232). Barber did not miss a game for 15 consecutive seasons. Barber is the only player in NFL history to record at least 45 interceptions and 25 sacks. He ranks No. 10 in career tackles, the highest of any defensive back. His 14 defensive touchdowns rank fourth all time.
Barber revolutionized the modern nickel cornerback position and was a star on one of the greatest defenses in history, the 2002 Bucs. That year, Tampa Bay was the top-rated pass defense, recorded a league-high 31 interceptions and only allowed an average of 12.2 points per game. The Bucs capped the season off with a dominant 48-21 win over the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.
Unlike teammates Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch, Barber has yet to be deemed worthy of HOF status. Lee Roy Selmon is the only other Buc to be inducted.
That's a hard pill to swallow for Tampa Bay fans, especially when you compare Barber's stats to other Hall of Famers. Some argue he was snubbed last year when LeRoy Butler made the final cut over him.
Barber is the only cornerback from the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team yet to be inducted — Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson and Ty Law.
The 47-year-old will compete with 28 other candidates for the 2023 Hall of Fame class, including first-year eligible candidates Darrelle Revis, James Harrison, Joe Thomas, Jahri Evans and Dwight Freeney. The list will be reduced to 15 next, and then four to nine candidates will be enshrined.
The Buccaneer's chances may have declined with the introduction of Revis, as the committee may be hesitant to induct multiple defensive backs in the same class. Only one back was selected last year.
NFL writer Adam Rank placed Barber No. 23 in his ranking of the 28 candidates.
"I love Ronde. I really do. But look at the CBs of his era: Deion Sanders, Ron Woodson, Darrell Green, Aeneas Williams, Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey. That's going to be a tough room to crack," Rank said.
Rank placed five other defensive backs over Barber, including Revis at the No. 3 spot.
The final class will be announced on Feb. 9, 2023.
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