PewterReport.com has learned through NFLPA records that cornerback Ronde Barber received a contract with a base salary of $4 million for the 2011 season. Barber signed a one-year contract on Tuesday to return for his 15th NFL season. Last year Barber’s base salary was for $3 million.   

Tampa Bay selected Barber out of Virginia in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft. Barber is the Bucs franchise leader in interceptions with 40. He has 26 career sacks, 120 passes defensed, and 11 forced fumbles. He is second in team history with 1,258 tackles. If Barber plays in all 16 games next season he will pass retired linebacker Derrick Brooks as the Buccaneer with the most starts in team history with 225.



"We're excited that Ronde will continue to build on his Hall of Fame career in 2011," said general manager Mark Dominik. "Last season, Ronde once again showed that he's an invaluable professional and mentor to our young football team, both on and off the field. I'm also happy that our fans can continue to enjoy one of the Buccaneers' all-time greats."

Last year Barber had 102 tackles with nine tackles for a loss, 16 passes broken up, one sack, one forced fumble, and three interceptions. Those numbers were better than his 2009 totals of 93 tackles, seven passes broken up, seven tackles for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and zero interceptions. He also returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in 2009.

Barber is the last remaining player on the Bucs roster from 2002 Super Bowl Championship team.

UPDATE: ESPN's Pat Yasinskas reports that Barber does not have any incentives or bonuses in the contract. Yasinskas writes, "I’ve done a little more checking around and Barber’s contract is very simple, compared to a lot of other NFL deals. It’s worth a straight $4 million. There are no incentives or bonuses involved and Barber will count $4 million against the salary cap, assuming there is a labor agreement and a salary cap. For those keeping score at home, Barber’s deal puts the Bucs up around $63 million in money committed toward a 2011 salary cap. That’s still the lowest figure in the league."