Ronde Barber: 20 Questions With The Buccaneers Star

Understanding that good journalism and interviews are born from a conversation between two people, it is always important to be prepared.

Should I get the opportunity to interview Ronde Barber, my favorite player on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, here is a list of 20 questions around which I would base my interview.

1. Other than Tampa, what is your favorite city to play a game in the NFL? Favorite city to visit?

2. What is the proudest moment you have experienced in your career thus far? Other than the Super Bowl, what would it be?

3. With the change in defensive philosophy from a zone coverage to man coverage, have you set any personal goals for the season?

4. How do your goals this season differ from goals you might have set in previous seasons?

5. Which of you defensive teammates are you counting on having the best season this year?

6. After 2007, when you had your lowest tackle total since 1999, you came back and had 100 tackles and four interceptions in 2008. To what can you attribute your return in production?

7. After watching Derrick Brooks, Cato June, and Philip Buchanon leave this offseason, how has your role on the team changed this season?

8. With the departure of the previously mentioned players, how do you think about your future with this team will play out?

9. If you felt this team was entering a rebuilding stage, would you want to find a team that would have the possibility of another Super Bowl victory?

10. You have four career Pro Bowl selections, how many more do you believe you have left in your career?

11. Of your more than 1,000 tackles, nearly 200 passes deflected, 37 interceptions, 23 sacks, and 11 touchdowns, which statistic would you want to define your career if you could only choose one?

12. You need two more touchdowns to tie the NFL record holder for defensive touchdowns, Rod Woodson. If you could choose the opponent you scored it on, who would that be?

13. You have played for five years under Tony Dungy, seven years under Jon Gruden, and this is your first year under Raheem Morris. How would you compare and contrast their coaching styles?

14. How would these coaches compare with your legendary college coach, George Welsh?

15. What did coach Welsh teach you to prepare you for the NFL?

16. What would it take for you to convince Tiki to come out of retirement for one season as your teammate?

17. You have a business degree from the University of Virginia. You have championed literacy charities during your career. You could probably get a coaching or television job when you are finished playing. What would be your dream job after your career is over?

18. You’ve written three children’s books and are supposedly preparing a young adult novel with your brother. Are there any plans for more books? Perhaps to an even older audience?

19. You’re a golfer, if you could put together a foursome to play 18 holes with any historical figures, who would you choose?

20. When the rookies walk into camp, do you, as the longest tenured teammate, lead the hazing rituals, or do you leave that to the other players? What can Josh Freeman expect this year?

OK, so some follow up questions were built in, kind of messing up my whole 20 questions theme, but you get the idea.

I would truly appreciate the opportunity to cover the Buccaneers, and I thank you all for taking the time to read this.