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Bucs Have Barber's Back After Bad Game Vs. Bears

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By IRA KAUFMAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2008

Updated: 09/26/2008 02:10 am

TAMPA - Ryan Howard might win the NL MVP award, despite almost 200 strikeouts. Tim Duncan struggles with his free throws in crunch time. Martin Brodeur lets in the occasional soft goal.

Even elite athletes must deal with adversity, and Ronde Barber is no exception.

Tampa Bay's four-time Pro Bowl cornerback struggled in coverage against Brandon Lloyd during Sunday's 27-24 overtime triumph at Chicago as quarterback Kyle Orton repeatedly burned the right side of the Bucs' secondary.

Lloyd caught six second-half passes for 124 yards, including a 19-yard scoring reception that put the Bears ahead 24-14 midway through the fourth quarter.

"Lloyd had an All-Pro corner on him most of the time in Ronde Barber," said Chicago coach Lovie Smith. "Kyle put the ball in a place where it would take a good leaping athlete to get it a few times, and he was able to do that."

By the time the Bucs reported back to work, Barber could already hear the radio talk-show chatter - he's too old, he's too slow, he's lost a step.

"Anybody who says anything negative about No. 20 is just fueling the guy's fire," said Tampa Bay defensive tackle Chris Hovan. "You're going to see a hacked-off Ronde Barber come Sunday."

While Barber was tough on himself this week, Green Bay players and coaches were also analyzing his performance at Soldier Field.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will enter Raymond James Stadium armed with some imposing targets in solid veteran Donald Driver and big-play threat Greg Jennings, who leads the league with 373 receiving yards.

"The Bears had some good schemes, and Lloyd made some good catches," said Barber, 33. "It is what it is, and I don't worry about it. Brandon Lloyd had a good game. It's football, and those other guys are paid to beat me. Three plays won't define me, ever."

Barber registered his 22nd career sack earlier in the game, extending his NFL record for most takedowns by a corner, but the good times ended midway through the third quarter after an interception by Chicago's Nathan Vasher.

All four of Orton's pass attempts to his left were complete during an 86-yard drive as Lloyd hauled in receptions of 21 and 27 yards before adding a 2-point conversion catch.

On Chicago's next possession, Lloyd caught a 25-yard pass down the left side.

After another Bears interception, Lloyd and Orton hooked up for an 8-yard gain and the perfectly executed touchdown throw down the left sideline, with Barber trailing by only a stride.

"If I could have anybody out there, I want Ronde Barber out there," said Bucs safety Jermaine Phillips. "He had a couple of bad plays and all of a sudden everybody wants to know what's wrong with Ronde. He's not worried about it - and we're not worried about him."

Secondary coach Raheem Morris is also amused by the whispers.

"Ronde could have made some plays that he didn't make," Morris said, "but those were nice throws and nice catches. I kind of like all this talk about Ronde. That's the reason he's going to go out and play great from here on out, because he doesn't want to hear that nonsense. He's the very best at everything he's done since I've been around him. I know one thing - Ronde can't wait for Sunday."

Hovan realizes even superior players aren't at their best each game. He's thankful for the relative obscurity the trenches provide during the tough times.

"Do I struggle sometimes? Of course," Hovan said. "But it's not as magnified for me as it is for Ronde, because he's matched up one-on-one on an island. That's why Ronde is such a great player, because he accepts the challenge. He has set an unbelievable standard around here and he's the last guy I'm concerned about. The way I look at it, Ronde Barber is a victim of his own success."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833 or ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

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