Shawn Barber: The Mouth That Roared

[bulldog]

for a player that didn't get on the field much in the past year, Barber certainly believed the Redskins owed him a rich payday.<br /><br />But, evidently he didn't feel that way about other teams. He was willing to join the Eagles on a one year deal with only $750,000 in guaranteed money (on $1.5M)while he told the Redskins they had to pony up over $3 million to retain him beyond 2001.<br /><br />The guy's actions both before and after the Armstead signing indicated he didn't want to be back in a Redskins uniform.<br /><br />I suppose after getting the door shut on his $3.5 million power play last year with Marty, Barber is now set to show us a thing or two by staying in the division with the Eagles.<br /><br />I say bring him on. <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <br /><br />I know one thing. When it comes down to getting a first down on third and 2 or 3, I know which side of the line the Redskins are going to run on, the side that Barber is on. <img border="0" title="" alt="[big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[RySkins]

Bulldog, you and I share very similar opinions of Barber.<br /><br />Barber is one of those players who thinks and acts like he is better than he actually is. I am still befuddled at how a guy who has never been a part of a defense not ranked in the bottom 3rd of the league in rushing could have the audacity to proclaim himself "The Playmaker" in front of a National TV audience.<br /><br />He played hard and with a lot of energy on the field, but I've never thought of him as that great of a player. I'm not sorry to see go.

[VoR]

Shawn Barber is just a stopgap until the Eagles bring Quinton Caver into the fold. Like Mike Caldwell (who just signed a lucrative deal with the Bears), Barber is hoping that hanging around the Philly D will get him a rich payday later on.

[PCS]

Well BD, seems you aren't going to miss Barber that much. Having Armstead around definately helps in that area. However, Several players out there, not just Barber and not just Redskins, asked for some pretty good money when March 1st came around. As they have learned, it's okay to want, but getting is another matter.<br /><br />It's also business. Ask for this ^ amount, expecting this amount_ , but hoping for this -amount. I think that when Barber and his agent realized they weren't going to get nearly what they wanted they went to a place where he could compete and possibly start where he feels best. WSLB. That simply wasn't going to happen n Washington, not with Armstead signed on. All 31 years young of him.<br /><br /><a href="http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1352172.html" target="_blank">http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1352172.html</a><br /><br />Personally, I differ with Len P. in the area about Barber's knee restricting him to a 1 year contract. It's a calculated risk. A gamble that Barber will not only win the start, but to have a good enough year where he will be able to sign a long term contract with some team for more substantial money.<br />I wouldn't necessarily bet against him. Though that will be up to his repaired knee and that field he's playing on.<br /> <br /> <small>[ March 16, 2002, 01:32 AM: Message edited by: Park City Skins ]</small>

[bulldog]

regardless of what Barber does in the NFL, it was a mistake for a player to turn down an offer of over $2 million a year with a high guarantee to end up having to settle for a one year deal with little security.<br /><br />the kind of deal he is likely to get AFTER a solid season in Philly is just the deal he tore up with the Skins in 2001.<br /><br />So, in essence, Barber just cost himself one season of earning over $2 million, unless he is able to have a Brian Urlacher type season and convince someone to give him $5 million a year. <img border="0" title="" alt="[smile]" src="smile.gif" /> <br /><br />Good luck, the Eagles aren't even willing to give Trotter that much money and Jeremiah is a much better football player than Shawn Barber is at this point of their respective careers.

[Dr. D]

Redskins players leaving here for less money is almost a Cliche.<br /><br />I don't get it.<br /><br />Thanks to free agency (which the payers WANTED), you don't have the ability anymore for those "lets reward the loyalty" contracts.<br /><br />As advertised free agency is a PRODUCE then get paid situation. And if you are on the downside of your career it would be suicide for a team to sign the older player for big bucks. yet that is what these playerrs seem to always want.<br /><br />you can't have it both ways.<br /><br />I mean Al Davis cant ruin anymore players' careers (ala Marcus Allen). But we as fans don't get the continuity we crave (ala the HOGS!).<br /><br />this is the society of immediate gratification, hence, our game is reflective... even to its detriment.

[fansince62]

don't forget that Barber's move probably includes a reasonable risk calculation that the Iggles are SB bound. Stay or go, if this happens, his stock goes up.

[NavyDave]

Knee injuries such as Barbers usually take a year to rebound from so he wont really be back to his "normal level" of play until 2k3.<br /><br />So he better pray that he is in on blitz packages that funnel the QB or a scat back his way for easy tackles to pad his stats.

[indyskinsfan]

Barber knew dam* well he wouldn't get Armstead type of dollars, but Dan was still going to be generous, and if it worked out that Barber would have a good, year, Marvin Lewis would have lobbied for him. It is disappointing to see so many black athletes forget the struggles of the past, then have an opportunity, only to try to make an a** of a man that gives them a fair chance, pay them well. So far 2 wanted to take advantage of him and then have the nerve to even open their mouth. <br /><br />My point is, why can't you face the fact that if you weren't so well off, you could humble yourself and respect those who actually respect you. For some blacks, they'll say Deion was just getting his due from the man. How so. Now Barber of all people tried to copy cat and he walks away with much less. Not faulting for him for choosing the Eagles, as the case could have applied to any team. It was his attitude when someone really wanted you on their team. When he and Deion's bottom falls out, they have no one to blame but themselves. So please don't place the race card, cause Dan's got your "face" card.<br /><br />Darrell Green Rules! and he gets paid more.<br /> <br /> <small>[ March 16, 2002, 09:40 AM: Message edited by: indyskinsfan ]</small>

[fish]

Hey,<br /><br />Where does this "race card" schtuff come from. Did I miss something? It's been a busy week and I haven't read all I'd have liked to, so again, did I miss something?<br /><br />Also, I don't harbor the ill will some of you guys do against Barber or Lang either for that matter. I do wish we could have kept both of them. I thought they were both good young players and they both had a key ingredient I think Lewis could have capitalized on: SPEED.<br /><br />The Armstead signing one, caught me off guard and two, still kinda suprises me. Unless there is something wrong we don't know about Barber's knee, I'm still curious about all of that.<br /><br />I will say though that it is bothersome that these guys go elsewhere for roughly the same amount we we gonna pay them. That indicates a problem either with us or them. Either the organization is too stubborn or the players are stupid or the agents are greedy (no news flash there). Letting Raymer go makes sense due to the money he was offered by SD and I can see how that happened. But these other 2........sheesh!<br /><br />Whatever. Sign Blake and build the O-line and I'll feel better.

[indyskinsfan]

I have had eyeful throughout my life as a black man and as a human being. Yeah I can say what YOU WANT TO HEAR as far as being MODEST, but that is my point with some brothers that have been through this too. It's not a race card. It's for real, when an owner seems to be more than willing to give a QB a chance, not based on his race, a CB not based on his race, and a LB, not based on his race, but they ALL want to take advantage of him because of his money.<br /><br />Now being black and noticing who these three players are, I feel I know enough in life in my own experiences to see that there is something more to this. If it were a black owner, you bet your a** it would not be going in the money only direction. These guys will never be taken seriously as their peers, because they mooch and don't really deliver. Then the ones that DO have the game and ask for the right or same amount or dissed because thier predecessors. <br /><br />What would make you think racism has left this country and which war is it that made it happen?<br /><br />It's still here and yes it goes both ways and this time it is the Black man doing something to someone based on his race.<br /><br />That's ok, because, some things weren't even said, but wisdom isn't existing just because it's always obvious, sometimes progression leads to the truth. After a few rounds see the same thing over and over again, is it really stereotyping or a cultural delimma? When Barber couldn't MILK Dan, he lost face, since he knew full well he wasn't worth it, unless he showed it!<br /><br />take the low road and say, oh if they gonna' give it to him, then that's his stupidity. Well Darrell Green and others could have done that, but YOU think about why he didn't?<br /><br />It is more than the game itself. YOU figure out what that means.<br /> <br /> <small>[ March 16, 2002, 11:48 AM: Message edited by: indyskinsfan ]</small>

[All In]

I agree with you that Barber made a bad business decision last year when he was offered, what I and others thought was way to much money. For whatever reason he felt he could get more in FA. <br /><br />If he is going to be a starter in Philly fine, I could understand the move. Sometimes the best decisions are the ones that aren't made and vice versa, he could of stayed with the Skins for around the same cash and then tried again next year. <br /><br />I don't understand. I'm just trying to see where he's coming from. He F'ed up last year and for some reason it appears that he was rubbed the wrong way by the Skins.<br /><br />I would of kept him but again, for a backup LB, 1.5+ million is a little steep. I'd rather have Robert Jones back at that price or even less. Last year we saw way more production out of Jones for only 1M. I think the Skins are being very smart in their spending. Starters get paid starter money, everyone else should get paid fair.

[GSF]

What's up with Robet Jones anyway? He seems to have been forgotten with all the talk of Armstead, Barber, Arrington etc. I thought he played really well last year, especially against the run. Will he be a Skin next year? Will he start?

[Die Hard]

Indy - I see where you're coming from but - like 'fish' - I think the issue transcends race here. It's applicable to every professional athelete regardless of skin color. <br /><br />The grass is always greener on the other side. I say let them wallow with the Browns and Chargers of the league.

[indyskinsfan]

Die Hard, Ok, I can chill then <img border="0" alt="[cool]" title="" src="graemlins/cool.gif" /> <br />I do step a little hard in a direction when I am pis*ed and sometimes when you're in it, you don't see how you stirred the coffee. <br /><br />Trying to explain something with too much emotion, when it is sometimes an emotional subject, does make for a bad concoction, huh.<br /><br />Once again, thanks for you and Fish shaking me out of it.

[Carlito Sway]

I can't really get all worked up about Shawn going to Philly. He may have turned down bigger money with us, but the fact remains that he wanted to start, and with Armstead coming to us, he was going to be riding pine, or having to move inside, where he would be undersized and face stiff competition from RJ or AP. I mean, Armstead took way less money with us than he demanded of the Giants. We more than made out like bandits in the trade of Jesse for Shawn. The difference is that Armstead is a ProBowler, and Shawn is a fast and decent complement to another stud linebacker who can do the heavy lifting for him.<br /><br />All the same, you guys wouldn't imagine how hot everyone here in NY is about Armstead coming to DC. My sister's boyfriend literally threw out his Armstead jersey - and any time I want to rankle him a little, I mention that Jesse is playing for small dough becasue he wants to play for a contender. Never fails! <img border="0" alt="[Evil]" title="" src="graemlins/evil.gif" /> <br /><br />And frankly, Shawn is playing for the pre-season pick to win our division, so it's not like he went to play for the Bungles or anything. But he will get a mouthful of #48 twice a year this fall, so he better hope the rehab is certified to stop big fast freight-trains named Stephen Davis.<br /><br /> <img border="0" alt="[laugh]" title="" src="graemlins/laugh.gif" />

[Novato]

Who the hell know what Barber was thinking of, but now he's gone to thw friggin iggles, he is the ENEMY now, run at him, let Jansen or Samuels lead the way and crush him... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />

[Dr. D]

Indy,<br /><br />please don't apologize for your feelings of outrage.<br /><br />Maybe the barber issue was not what it seems, but, there are enough ocurrences for one to suspect.<br /><br />We should never feel shame for telling the truth.<br /><br />The whole PC,race boondoggle is just another attempt at swaying weak minds to powerful political ends which have little to do with the stated goals. Someone out there does not want us to think for ourselves.<br /><br />In my mind, when someone is wronged punish the guilty (whomever it may be).<br /><br />What I abhorr is the indescriminate "punishment" meted out for us all to swallow when no wrong has occured.<br /><br />I am sick of hearing I have to treat someone different because of the color of their skin.<br /><br />I am just aghast at how may folks "buy" into it all.<br /><br />I am left with these words:<br /><br />"I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today!"<br />-Martin Luther King, Jr.<br /><br />and one more:<br /><br />"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."<br />-Martin Luther King, Jr.<br /><br />I think in the long run we mean to question the CHARACTER of these athletes that jump ship here.<br /><br />If I have ruffled any feathers TOO BAD! Ia m entitled to my opinon. I am entitled to say what I like. To act otherwise is to spit on our birthright as Americans!

[Darth Tater]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Park City Skins:<br />[QB]It's also business. Ask for this ^ amount, expecting this amount_ , but hoping for this -amount. I think that when Barber and his agent realized they weren't going to get nearly what they wanted they went to a place where he could compete and possibly start where he feels best. That simply wasn't going to happen n Washington, not with Armstead signed on....<br /><br />...a 1 year contract...a calculated risk. A gamble that Barber will not only win the start, but to have a good enough year where he will be able to sign a long term contract with some team for more substantial money.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I really agree!