Cornerbacks work toward becoming the league's best tandem.
By ROGER MILLS
Published August 14, 2003
[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys]
Ronde Barber, left, and Brian Kelly celebrate a stop during practice. "I believe we've picked up right where we've left off," Kelly said.
LAKE BUENA VISTA - In the final seconds of the Bucs' win over the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game in January, cornerback Ronde Barber looked into a television camera and pointed out that he was going to the Super Bowl.
You see, in the weeks before, Barber and Kelly were not voted to the Pro Bowl, while three Eagles defensive backs were.
For Barber and Kelly, it was sweet redemption.
Now, as the Bucs turn the page to a new season, Barber and Kelly continue their quest to be the NFL's premier defensive back tandem.
"I believe we've picked up right where we've left off," Kelly said. "We're feeling good, we're both motivated to be better and we both carry chips and different things to motivate us."
Defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin said the starters push each other and elevate the play of the secondary as a whole.
"These guys have a desire to be great, and you can't take that word "great' lightly," Tomlin said. "They are searching for the ceiling. ... They have some work to do, but we have time to do it."
No time like the present.
Even in limited action against the Rams on Monday, the Barber/Kelly duo will have work to do. The Rams offense, once known as the Greatest Show on Turf, may not be the high-octane scoring machine it once was. But as long as quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk and receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce are in uniform, the passing game presents a special challenge.
Which means the bar is raised for defensive backs.
"We have a history with these guys, and that makes it more exciting," Barber said. "It seems like the past two weeks we're getting challenged more and more in the passing game. That's what you have to prepare for. We don't get a bunch of plays (in preseason), so you have to make the ones you do get important and beneficial."
Kelly, whose eight interceptions last season tied for the NFL lead, said his approach is not to worry about the Rams.
"Usually in preseason teams focus on themselves, and right now we're focusing on ourselves, not really focusing on our opponent," Kelly said. "Maybe if it was a regular-season game and the juices were flowing for the rivalry there, it would be different."
Different also is a good way to describe both players.
Barber, selected to the Pro Bowl in 2001 after recording 10 interceptions, has solidified his reputation as a top corner. He has started 72 of 81 career games, including every one the past three seasons.
"His No.1 quality is that he's a competitor," Tomlin said. "He doesn't turn down opportunities, and he doesn't turn down challenges. He's got a desire to be great, and he takes the game personal. When you take the game personal and you're talented, you have a chance to be great."
Barber's versatility was evident at the start of training camp, when coaches asked him to play running back and flanker. Barber, 28, readily accepted but said it was not at the expense of his play on defense.
"(My game) is definitely where I want it to be," said Barber, a 1997 third-round pick out of Virginia. "Every day I come in here with something to work on. Every day I feel like I'm getting better. That's the way I am. That's the perfectionist-type attitude this whole defense has."
For Kelly, 27, the journey has been a little more intriguing. A second-round pick in 1998 out of Southern California, Kelly emerged as the starter five games into the 2001 season and hasn't looked back. He has started the past 27 regular-season games and proved in 2002 (eight interceptions, 78 tackles, 23 passes defensed) that he is no distant light on a team of stars.
"Brian is a professional, when he steps across the white line he is focused on getting better, being a complete player," Tomlin said. "He's a very technique-oriented guy, a detailed guy, and when the lights come on he'll be physical."
Just before training camp, word leaked that Kelly's agent, Gary Uberstine, had asked the team to restructure his client's contract, specifically to bring some of the backloaded money to the front. The Bucs refused, and hints of a possible holdout surfaced. Kelly showed up and has done nothing but work since.
"I didn't talk about it much, and I think that's why I was misconstrued. A lot of people ran with stuff that wasn't necessarily the case," Kelly said. "I didn't consume myself with it. It was an issue between my agent and the general manager. I always knew my goal was to come in and play football."
Barber said he has seen no lack of focus from Kelly.
"He's not going to let something like that distract him from what he wants to do," Barber said. "When it's all said and done you have to come out here and perform. ... Money stuff will take care of itself."
