Buccaneers officially bring back Barber for 16th season

Mar 28, 2012 - 3:40 PM Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially re-signed cornerback Ronde Barber to a one-year contract, allowing him to return for a 16th NFL season.

Barber recorded 79 tackles, one sack and three interceptions last season in 16 games for the Bucs, who stumbled to a 4-12 record and a last place finish in the NFC South. He was rewarded with the NFC's top defensive player for Week 3 as his effort helped Tampa Bay beat Atlanta.

The Virginia product currently holds the NFL's longest consecutive-starts streak at 199, beginning with Week 10 of the 1999 season. His streak of 224 straight games played is tied for the second-longest run by a defensive player since 1970.

The 36-year-old became the first player in league history to record 40-or-more picks and 25-or-more sacks and is the only defensive back since the merger in to start all of his team's games for 11 consecutive seasons.

Tampa Bay selected Barber in the third round of the 1997 draft and is the only player remaining from the 2002 Super Bowl-winning squad.

Barber's 1,337 tackles rank second only to Derrick Brooks in franchise history, and his 11 touchdowns on fumble/interception returns is fifth in league annals.

In addition, Tampa Bay re-signed restricted free agent tackle Demar Dotson to a two-year deal.

Dotson played in 13 games last season and made his first two starts as a pro, both coming as a second tight end.