Free agent FS Ronde Barber's brother Tiki says Ronde wants to return for a 17th NFL season in 2013. "(I've) talked to him multiple times over the last month and a half and it's been the same," Tiki said. "He's told me this is the best he's felt after a season in many years." The Bucs met with Ronde on Thursday. Provided his monetary demands are reasonable, Barber will likely be re-signed.

The Bucs are meeting with free agent FS Ronde Barber on Thursday. There has been no contact between the two sides yet this offseason, so it's unclear if the Bucs even want to bring the soon-to-be 38-year-old Barber back. He's spent his entire 16-year career in Tampa Bay.

ESPN's NFC South writer Pat Yasinskas says we should find out "soon" if Ronde Barber will be back for another season with the Bucs. Barber, 38 in April, was still undecided on his future last week, and coach Greg Schiano says the team has yet to contact the 16-year veteran. Barber is a free agent, and the Bucs could possibly just be moving on from him as they try to straighten out their pass defense.

Coach Greg Schiano says the team has yet to contact free agent FS Ronde Barber about playing in 2013. Last weekend, it was reported that Barber, 38 in April, was still undecided on his playing future after being noncommittal as the season winded down. It would seem to be Tampa Bay or bust for Barber as it's the only team he's ever known.

Bucs free agent FS Ronde Barber is still undecided if he'll return next season. Barber was noncommittal when asked about the possibility of retirement after the season, but the soon-to-be 38-year-old would presumably be welcomed back. Despite playing on arguably the worst pass defense in the NFL, Barber graded out as the No. 11 safety by Pro Football Focus. An impending free agent, the Bucs would need to re-sign Barber is he decides to return.

Bucs FS Ronde Barber was vague when asked about the possibility of retirement after Sunday's Week 17 win over the Falcons. "If it is (the last game), it is," Barber said Sunday. "I've always been all right with that. I've never been shy of saying I'm proud of what I put on the field, and today was no different." The soon-to-be 38-year-old has been playing on one-year deals in recent years, and that was no different in 2012. Barber is set to be an unrestricted free agent, but he'll likely be a Buc or ride off into the sunset. He's still playing at a high level, recording 91 tackles and four interceptions while grading out as Pro Football Focus' No. 11 safety in the league.

The Sports Xchange's Len Pasquarelli disputes a report that the Buccaneers have considered moving Ronde Barber to cornerback. Barber worked almost exclusively at safety in "base" situations during OTAs, and it's questionable whether he can return as an effective corner at this stage in his career. Pasquarelli suggests Barber's role won't be addressed until the team's off-field issues are resolved. Projected starters Aqib Talib and Eric Wright are subject to the league's personal-conduct policy and in danger of being suspended.

Ronde Barber could be moved back to corner if Eric Wright is suspended for his DUI. Barber was expected to transition to safety at age 37, but those plans might have to be temporarily scrapped. Both of the Bucs starting corners, Aqib Talib and Wright, are now in danger of being suspended. Liabilities E.J. Biggers and Myron Lewis are next up on the depth chart. This defense will be one for fantasy owners to attack once again.

Bucs coach Greg Schiano indicated that Ronde Barber will likely continue to cover the slot in nickel packages despite his move to safety. Schiano conceded that Barber would stay deep if the Bucs don't find another inside corner, but Barber's slot experience is crucial. "Ronde's had years of playing underneath in nickel and dime, and that would be foolish to totally abandon that, I think," said Schiano. The outside corners will be Eric Wright (RCB) and Aqib Talib (LCB), assuming of course Talib is eligible to play.

Ronde Barber is working as a safety in Bucs OTAs. Barber's position conversion appears to be full-steam ahead after GM Mark Dominik said last week he'd "likely" play safety in 2012. Barber was one of the league's worst starting corners last season, so the Bucs have plenty of incentive to see his switch through.