"Buccaneers defensive back Ronde Barber strongly suggested Wednesday a decision to fire Raheem Morris as coach of the team could lead to his retirement or at least his departure from Tampa Bay after 15 years.

"I would be lying if I didn't say that,'' Barber said when asked if his future was linked to Morris'. "That's somewhat true. But we'll see. Ideally, I'd love to be back and play with (Morris), and (secondary coach) Jimmy (Lake) and (linebackers coach) Joe Baker. They're great coaches and they're fun to be around. They understand me and I understand them. So I imagine that will have something to do with it.''

Barber, 36, signed a one-year contract to return to the Bucs last offseason, and his play this year has shown very few signs of slippage as he has recorded 73 tackles, one sack and three interceptions.

"I feel like I can play another year,'' he said. "But let's see what January and February has to hold before I make any of those decisions. Next year will be next year. Who knows, I may be sitting on my couch or I may be out here backpedalling with these young cats again.''"