It was during the 2007 preseason that retired Giants running back Tiki Barber proclaimed on NBC's Football Night in America that former teammate Eli Manning lacked the requisite leadership skills to lead New York. Of course, they won the whole thing a few months later. Uncharacteristically, Manning promptly refuted Barber's claim, and now, some 16 months later, Tiki is looking to mend a few fences.
According to the New York Daily News' Ralph Vacchiano, Barber interviewed Manning recently and the topic came up (we'll get to see them during tonight's NBC pregame show):
Barber: "So before last season on NBC, I publicly questioned your early leadership. Now, clearly I was proven wrong. But what was your reaction when you heard?"Not exactly an apology, but Vacchiano points out that Barber wasn't necessarily wrong when he initially made the comments in August 2007. "At the time, there were a million doubters about Manning's leadership abilities, including some of his bosses and some of his teammates. At the time, it was perfectly fair for a TV commentator to wonder out loud whether Manning would ever become the leader the Giants needed him to be."
Manning: "I obviously had to stand up for myself. I kind felt I was called out. So I had to come back and stand up for myself. I felt in that situation, I had to say something. Sometimes, you've got to go outside what's your norm and do something you feel strongly about. I've been through all sorts of things in New York City through the media. There's a time when you reach a certain point where you've got to stand up and fight back a little bit."
And I think that's right. It's just that having it come from Tiki a few months after he retired from the Giants rubbed just about everybody the wrong way. On the upside, Manning has a Super Bowl ring and Barber has to spend his weekends with Peter King and Bob Costas. See, everything works out in the end.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-14-2008 @ 7:00PM
amart7 said...
As a dedicated Cowboys fan, I have to admit that the Giants have gone about the business of dominating and winning football games with a great deal of class. There have been a few comments made, but overall, this team is a credit to the NFC East, the toughest division in the NFL. Eli has done a great job of leading his team. With that said, GO COWBOYS!
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12-14-2008 @ 9:18PM
DAVE said...
What has become apparent is the Tiki Barber lacked the leadership qualities for a man in his position. Using the media he undermined his coach and his quarterback. What a relief for the Giants when he went away. By the way you really look silly doing all those fluff pieces.
Reply
12-14-2008 @ 9:34PM
Ted said...
Barber is just another press-grabbing, egotistical, overpaid, has-been jock. He's two-faced and has no loyalty to anyone other than himself.....
He was willing to take money "from the man", but turned and bit the hand that fed him as soon as he retired and got a suck-up job as a commentator. Why he ever got hired for that position I'll never understand. All he brings to the table is his brown-nosing, boot-licking personality. I guess the network needed a "token", as stupid as he may be....
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12-14-2008 @ 9:52PM
lynhugh said...
Barber is another black man that is shallow, married outside of his race, tried to shed his blackness. Too sum it up he is a sell out, and I am sure the Giants are glad he is gone because he was for self, not a team player. It takes 12 men to win, Barber could not win all by himself. I am glad he was not apart of the Super Bowl win and did not get a ring,
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12-15-2008 @ 4:33AM
WAYNE CARTER said...
Does Tiki not know who his brother is ??? DUH ! Peyton and Eli are clearly the smartest players to play the QB position...EVER !
Tiki, you are stupid.
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12-16-2008 @ 1:32AM
Mel said...
It's funny now looking back on it what tiki said was true but they pay you to not be bias but love it when you give them the exclusive on NY Giants business. I let the situation go with tiki and Eli when the Giants won the superbowl. For all the crazyness that story bought up at the end of the day Tiki is still a NY Giant right now he is an outcast family member right now by BIG BLUE fans right now. I am pretty sure every Giant fan was thinking the same thing and worried how is Eli gonna lead us to the promise land. Now Giants management thats a different story that PSL crap has got to go, I am more mad at them then Tiki. GO GIANTS!!!!!!!!!
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