"Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber, who becomes a free agent next month and has been pondering retirement, said Saturday night that he remains noncommittal about returning for a 16th season.

"Things have to play themselves out, like they did last year," Barber, 36, said at former teammate Shelton Quarles' charity event at the Loews Don CeSar Hotel. "We'll have a meeting of the minds, like we did last year, and if I fit in, we'll go from there.

"I'm not allowing myself to lean one way or the other. I'm pretty sure where I stand, but I haven't allowed myself to commit."

Barber agreed last year with general manager Mark Dominik to approach his remaining seasons year to year. He played 2011 on a one-year deal.

The coaching change that led to the dismissal of Barber's close friend Raheem Morris could affect his decision. Barber recently met briefly with new coach Greg Schiano. Schiano seems like he has strong convictions, Barber said. "I think that's what we were looking for with the hire.""