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Secondary not second best

Led by cornerback Ronde Barber, the Bucs are tied with Carolina for most interceptions in the NFC with 18.

By RICK STROUD
© St. Petersburg Times,
published December 1, 2001

TAMPA -- Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber has been profiled in numerous magazines this season.

But he prefers reading quarterbacks.

[Times photo: Jim Damaske] For Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber (No. 20), getting interceptions, like this one against Pittsburgh wide receiver Plaxico Burress on Oct. 21, results from his new defensive role.

The fifth-year pro from Virginia leads the Bucs and is tied for third in the NFC with six interceptions.

That matches his career total from four previous seasons.

What gives with all the takeaways? Barber credits first-year defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin, who took over from Jets coach Herman Edwards. Tomlin's emphasis on footwork and technique has enabled the Bucs to produce 18 interceptions, which is tied for first in the NFC with Carolina.

"After the '99 season, Herm came to us and said if we caught just half the ones we dropped, we would've had 45 interceptions that year," Barber said. "He made an emphasis of it that year. When Mike came in, he's a big stickler for details and reading the quarterback. How he's prepared us is different from what Herm did. Herm never went through all the technique and all the drills. Herm would talk about it a lot and philosophize about it. But Mike has really gone through the details of it and we're on it, it seems like."

No one has benefited more than Barber, the heretofore less publicized twin of Giants running back Tiki Barber. Together, they have been the subjects of feature stories in Sports Illustrated, GQ and People, which named them the Sexiest Athletes.

Barber deflects all attention, but opposing quarterbacks need to take better notice of him.

Before this season, Barber made a name for himself with his knack for rushing the passer, and his perfectly timed blitzes led to 51/2 sacks last season. Now he is asked to rush less and cover more, and his career interception totals have doubled with six games remaining.

"I think it's just a product of what I'm doing in this defense now," Barber said. "Last year and the year before, I was blitzing every second or third down we would get in (nickel) and this year we're a little more man to man. We've stayed in base so I've had a few more opportunities. I'm catching them."

Tomlin, in his first NFL coaching position after spending two seasons at the University of Cincinnati, knew he had some big shoes to fill when he replaced Edwards. At 29, he is two years younger than safety John Lynch. But Tomlin quickly gained the players' respect with his knowledge of footwork, techniques and body position.

"All the techniques involved in secondary play have got to become second nature," Tomlin said. "We drive it to the ground. We hit it every day.

"We stress consistency in our footwork, and when you have that, you can focus on making the most of your opportunities. We've focused on playing our leverage and following our receivers to our help."

Not that the secondary has been perfect. It had several huge breakdowns against Chicago that led to touchdowns and a loss. And Monday, a gaffe allowed quarterback Kurt Warner to complete a 35-yard pass to Torry Holt on third and 14 from the St. Louis 11, a play that sparked the Rams' only touchdown.

"When big plays happen, it's always a little of both, the offense executing and us not being on top of our job," Tomlin said. "We accept that. We play the play and attack the next one."

That's why almost everyone in the secondary is having a good year. Cornerback Donnie Abraham and safety Dexter Jackson have three interceptions each and Lynch has two, which sealed wins at Dallas and at St. Louis.

"It goes back to reading your keys, believing in and trusting your instincts," Lynch said. "It goes back to our front four putting tremendous pressure on the quarterback and wreaking havoc, and then it goes to finishing plays. It's something we emphasize and something we're getting done this year. It's nice when we go in knowing to win this game we're going to have to create a lot of turnovers. And when they come our way, make good upon them and we do that and it's a good feeling."

Jackson's defense of a Warner pass Monday night was the first drop of an interception for the Bucs this season.

"They take a lot of pride in that. And we spend a lot of time talking about it," Tomlin said. "You don't have to go out and try to make big plays. Big plays are going to come with your job, but you've got to close the deal when the opportunity presents itself.

"We just want to play the total game, if it entails us blitzing, if it entails us playing squat cover, if it entails us playing the deep third. That's what we've got to do. We've got to cover guys and tackle."

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