No, really.
So here's the scene: Tiki Barber, on the NBC Sunday football telecast of Ravens-Giants, about Eli's leadership skills:
"He hasn’t shown it. His personality hasn’t been so that he can step up, make a strong statement and have people believe that it’s coming from his heart... Last year about Week 12 I turned over the offensive motivational speech to Eli and he was gung-ho to do it, but he was uncomfortable doing it. I think a lot of it had to do with vets being around -- myself, Jeremy Shockey, Plaxico Burress. He didn’t feel like his voice was going to be strong enough and it showed. Sometimes it was almost comical the way that he would say things."
And then this, when asked whether it was good for Eli that Barber retired:
"I think it is a good thing for Eli, to tell you the truth. Quite honestly."
So today, Eli fired back. No, really.
"I guess I was just happy for Tiki that he made a smooth transition into the media world. It will be interesting to see if he has anything else to say besides the Giants and what his comments will be on that. It’s one of those deals – I’m not going to lose any sleep over what Tiki has to say. I guess I could have questioned his leadership skills last year, calling out the coach and having articles about him retiring in the middle of the season saying he lost the heart. As a quarterback you’re reading your running back has lost the heart to play the game and it’s about the 10th week, I can see that a little bit at times. I’m not going to get concerned and I’m going to go out and play ball."
"It’s one of those deals. When a guy goes to the media he has to say stuff. He’s put in a situation where he’s got to talk. That’s just the way it is. That’s the world we live in and you have to deal with it."
I guess this means that now, when Eli starts waving his arms to pump up the crowd and gives pre-game pep talks that resemble the St. Crispian's Day speech by Henry V, Tiki can take credit for making Eli a man.
I've written in this space before about Tiki's "but enough about me" routine, and he's certainly entitled to say whatever he likes now since he's one of us. Perhaps this will be the end to it... Though someone just remarked that Tiki's Sirius show is on tonight.
Lord help us.
Practice update on the way later.
Comments (22)
The Barber Shop...can't wait...maybe I'll call in
;>)
Tiki was a great player for the Giants, but i actually htink they will be a better team without him. Loved Eli's comment wondering if Tiki would have anyhting to say besides addressing the Giants. Lastly, if Tiki was the leader the last few years and the team failed to reach it's goals does this mean that you Tiki were a failed leader?
Part of Tiki's deal with NBC obviously was that he would "tell all" with regard to the Giants.
He has used up all of the fan goodwill he has built up over the last 10 years with his inside remarks about Coughlin and Manning. I hope it was worth it to him.
I really hope that his records are erased as soon as possible. Toomer should eclipse his all time receiving yards record this season. With any luck Jacobs will take care of his rushing records.
Tiki has proven he lacks class. He needs to shut up before he finds most of the NFL doesn't want to talk to an opinionated former running back who tears at his old team after he retires, really classy Tiki.
Considering what a poor leader Tiki was, the team sure showed it, it's ironic that he would be lecturing about someone else not showing leadership.
I know I won't be watching Sunday night football on NBC except when I am forced to (when the Giants are on)......I suggest others do the same.....maybe someone will get the message.
I can't believe how everyone gets so upset when Tiki told the truth about Eli. I also think that Eli ought to go look back at the Redskins game last year when it was Tiki who got them in the playoffs not Eli. Not bad for a guy who lost his heart.
It's a shame that Tiki feels that he needs to pi$$ on his NYG legacy for the sake of TV ratings. He was good enough a player to perhaps have his number retired by the NYG. Can't see that happening anytime soon now. Just goes to show that today's athelete could give a s--t about us fans, what we think or how we feel.
did anyone catch Tiki's comments about Michael Vick on Dan Abrams Report?
For a Virginia graduate, surprisingly how idiotic Tiki is half the time.
If Tiki's definition of leadership includes public criticism of coaches and players, gaining media attention for himself and his non-team goals, taking no responsibility for his mistakes, and not giving credit to coaches for improving his play, then no Eli isn't a leader. And I think the New York Giants organization is better for it.
Do I wish that Eli was more consistent in his play, yes. He has been a very good quarterback over the past two years, with some incredible games, and a few terrible ones. I hope to see more of the former and less of the later.
Hey Tiki, when did you become a leader???????????
You talked about your coach last year and talked about retiring. Yeah thats a real leader!
Under Tiki's, ahem, leadership:
10 seasons
5 playoff berths
2 of the most notable 4th quarter playoff collapses in the past ten years
1 Super Bowl blowout
0 rings
Oh did I mention the recurrent fumbling problem that didnt go away until TC showed up
Some initative, some leader. Glad he's gone. The one or two 40 yard gains in a game never compensated for the rest.
Nice summary Sabrina.....impressively succinct and to the point.
Well put Arthur, Sabrina. If there was one thing that you could count on with Tiki Barber every week it was that his teeth were bleached whiter than anyone else's. Unfortunately I never got the feeling that either Tiki or Strahan were really true team leaders and could escape the "me" syndrome that unfortunately became Messier's legacy. At least he did something to live in his own shadow. While you can't fault one player for a team not winning a Super Bowl, there were many memories of someone fumbling away opportunities until Coughlin came along. I'm not really interested in hearing what Tiki has to say. Ironically, I find Carl Banks a great, fresh voice whom I enjoyed as an overshadowed all-star linebacker back when the Giants knew that the word "team" was.
Time for Tiki to retire from journalism.
MoJo -
I share your desire not to hear more from Barber. I find it interesting that NBC has the Giants lined up (or should I say tee'd up) for week 1 of Sunday Night Football. What better way for Barber to begin his regular season broadcasting career than covering the team he left less than a year ago.
Expect plenty of "fresh perspective" from Barber on Sep 9.
Yo guys - its a business - don't forget that. Besides, when was the last time Eli called someone out? This may be the beginning of something good... And you can print that!
Kozdude, he will announce his retirement in week 8, then milk it until the rest of the playoffs.
As a Giants fan, I love what Tiki brought to the field, however off it, get a clue man. Why would you cut down your coach, and glorify yourself over your team in your last year. To make sure we all understood who is most important in your life, you make assinine comments on one of your first broadcasts to demean your ex-QB. Bravo Tiki, way to show who is boss.
Sad to say, but your are a petty petty ex-Giant great.
All the New Jersey Giants suck. Why would you think Tiki is any different?
Speaking of having no class, it seems an Eagles fan has chosen to chime in. Do the letters T.O. mean anything to you? Be gone.......At least our team has actually won a couple of Superbowls.....
Tiki has always had his priorities screwed up. He had one foot out the door for the last 2 years.
Last year after the Giants went 6-2 you couldn't shut him up. The problem was that while the Giants were going 2-6 in the 2nd half he still was showing up on the Today show and any sports show that would have him. The team was fighting to make the playoffs and we kept hearing how he was getting ready for his next career. Now he says he was a leader on the team? Please.
Tiki - good ballplayer. terrible announcer. I guess it will take some time for him to realize that his bs means nothing