Bucs CB Ronde Barber retires; does he belong in NFL Hall of Fame?

[jmt57]

The case for Ronde Barber in the Hall of Fame | Tampa Bay Times

With 28 sacks and 47 interceptions (not counting the postseason), Barber is a member of the exclusive 25/40 club, meaning at least 25 sacks and 40 picks. Just how exclusive is that club? Barber is the only member.

Barber was good enough and durable enough to become the first defensive back since the NFL-AFL 1970 merger to start each of his team's games for 12 consecutive seasons. His 199 consecutive starts at cornerback are the most in NFL history, and he tacked on an impressive season at safety in 2012.

He was elected to five Pro Bowls — the same as Hall of Fame corners Herb Adderley and Mel Blount. He also was a three-time first-team All-Pro and a member of the 2000 All-Decade Team.​

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

The fact of the numbers and durability and dedication to one team in keeping a steady and solid productive career for that long certainly qualifies him to the HOF...IMO.

Brother Tiki will get in as well,both seem like great guys and good character men.

 

[BradyFTW!]

It depends on how you value brilliance vs. longevity. He was really good for a really long time, but was never one of the very best at his position. Based on that, I'm fine with either case: if he makes it, I understand, but I dunno if I'd vote for him.

 

[nabwong]

The fact of the numbers and durability and dedication to one team in keeping a steady and solid productive career for that long certainly qualifies him to the HOF...IMO.

Brother Tiki will get in as well,both seem like great guys and good character men.

Didnt tiki dump his pregnant wife for another woman 15 years younger?

 

[belichick010405]

It is an interesting question regarding Ronde Barber making the hall. I would have to say yes because of his all-around defensive game and his participation with a winning Super Bowl team that was sparked by his 92-yard pick 6 against Philly in the playoffs.

Tiki Barber has no chance of making the HOF and it is not because of his numbers, it will be because of his relationship with the sports media in New York while he was playing.

With that said - Tiki had over 15,000 total yards in his career but was south of the magical 80 touchdown mark which hurts his chances. Between that and his fumbling issues, I would still have to say no.

 

[randomk1]

I was just thinking about making this thread. I kind of feel like saying yes, guy has really done it all in his career and his durability and stats are just amazing - most consecutive games by a CB, 28 sacks(record), 47 INT, 12 TDs returned.

 

[Joker]

no brainer...but that hasn't stopped the HOF before from ignoring a HOF career

 

[patsfan-1982]

IMO he's one of the best to ever play at CB I say yes

 

[Salva135]

That '02 Bucs super bowl defense let up like 12+ ppg, and their pass defense was like 115 yards per game.. ronde barber was CB1 then.. deserves some thought ... one of the best secondaries of all time... better than anything the Jets had with Revis.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Ronde- Incredibly productive. 3-time All-Pro. One of the top shutdown CBs to play the game. Excellent vs the run. If he played in a major media outlet he would have gotten way more props.

Tiki- Very doubtful he'll get in. Very good RB but his numbers are borderline for consideration.

 

[BritPat]

Absolutely magnificent player and helped define a Defensive formation in a way that only the very best do. He was never utterly breath-taking in the same way the likes of Sanders were, but the Buccs never had to once worry about the position.

 

[BTTA]

Hard to say no, given those stats.

He and his twin brother are an amazing story. Great college careers and experiences, both had a chance at amazing lives. The one who went to a small NFL city and played the less glamorous position ends up having a stellar career and solid life; the one who went to NYC and played the more glamorous position ends up having a solid but controversy marked career and fairly tumultuous personal life. Great case study for debating nature vs. nurture, free will vs. genetics, and other questions that evade certain answers.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think he does. If he played for either of the New York teams, Dallas, Pittsburgh, or any of the other big market teams, he would be a first ballot Hall of Famer. His numbers speak for themselves.

 

[Kontradiction]

Hard to say no, given those stats.

He and his twin brother are an amazing story. Great college careers and experiences, both had a chance at amazing lives. The one who went to a small NFL city and played the less glamorous position ends up having a stellar career and solid life; the one who went to NYC and played the more glamorous position ends up having a solid but controversy marked career and fairly tumultuous personal life. Great case study for debating nature vs. nurture, free will vs. genetics, and other questions that evade certain answers.

"Nature vs. nurture, Lodge. NATURE always wins."

 

[Nunchucks]

I do not think he is a hall of fame player. He was an excellent player for a really long time, but hall of fame players are more than that.

 

[pazrul72]

When I think hall of fame there is the initial gut feeling check. Tom Brady hell yes. Ray Lewis hell yes. Randy moss hell yes. Game changers face of the nfl kind of players. Ronde was never that caliber player so my initial reaction was hmmm border line but no. Then you think about people like Jerome Bettis who got in purely on numbers from playing so long. That sort of production should be considered too and seeing his numbers they are good enough plus he does have a ring. So he won't be a first ballot guy but I do think eventually on a CB weak year he will get in and I am ok with that

 

[PatsDeb]

It depends on how you value brilliance vs. longevity. He was really good for a really long time, but was never one of the very best at his position. Based on that, I'm fine with either case: if he makes it, I understand, but I dunno if I'd vote for him.

I agree with this opinion.

 

[Sicilian]

I do not think he is a hall of fame player. He was an excellent player for a really long time, but hall of fame players are more than that.

Normally I would agree with this mentality, but I've seen so many CB's in their career have two or three GREAT years, then fall off in obscurity. It seems like longevity at the corner position is a sign of greatness in and of itself. Very few CB's are consistently good for five years, nevermind 12.

 

[Nunchucks]

Normally I would agree with this mentality, but I've seen so many CB's in their career have two or three GREAT years, then fall off in obscurity. It seems like longevity at the corner position is a sign of greatness in and of itself. Very few CB's are consistently good for five years, nevermind 12.

Is he more deserving than Ty Law?

I love Ty Law as a player, but even in my mind his HoF status is questionable.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I agree with this opinion.

You could make a strong case that he was just as good and perhaps was more productive than Darrell Green - who is on the HoF.

The key aids in Green's HoF candidacy were A) He was excellent B) on 3 SB winning teams.