With Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and an uncertain future in Tampa Bay, he has an adamant defender in teammate Ronde Barber.
Responding to reports that the Bucs think Talib is more trouble than he’s worth and will get rid of him regardless of how his legal situation plays out, Barber said he wants to play with Talib in 2011.
“We’re prepared [to play without Talib], but you don’t ever want to play a season or even a game without that guy,” Barber said, per PewterReport.com. “He’s that good. He changes things. He takes [receivers] away and we’ve never had that in Tampa.”
The Buccaneers have had plenty of good defensive backs in the 14 seasons Barber has been in Tampa Bay, so it’s surprising to see him say “we’ve never had that.” But Barber clearly wants Talib as a teammate.
