Eli Manning fires back at former teammate Tiki Barber

[Punu]

I did not see this posted, so I thought I'd go ahead and let everyone see what the giants are like behind closed doors....

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Tiki Barber wanted a more intense, fiery Eli Manning. The New York Giants quarterback gave Tiki what he wanted in a loud ripping voice on Tuesday.

Two days after being criticized on national television by Barber for a lack of strong leadership, Manning ripped his former teammate and current NBC football analyst for distracting the team last season with his early retirement announcement and his criticism of coach Tom Coughlin.

"I guess I'm just happy for Tiki that he's making a smooth transition into the TV world," Manning said. "You know, I'll be interested to see if he has anything to say (about a team) besides the Giants, and what his comments will be on that."

Normally reserved and never one to criticize a coach or teammate, Manning seemed to enjoy going after Barber, the Giants' all-time leading rusher who retired after last season at age 31 to pursue a television career.

Speaking during the halftime show of the Sunday Night Football game between the Giants and Baltimore Ravens, Barber had said that Manning's attempt to lead an offensive meeting in the 12th week of the last season was "comical" at times.

Manning didn't find the comment funny.

"It's just one of those deals. I'm not going to lose any sleep about what Tiki has to say," Manning said. "I guess I could have questioned his leadership skills last year with calling out the coach and having articles about him retiring in the middle of the season, and he's lost the heart (to play).

"As a quarterback you're reading that your running back has lost the heart to play the game and it's about the 10th week," Manning said. "I can see that a little bit at times. But I'm not going to get concerned. I'm going to go out there and play ball."

Barber was not immediately available for comment.

Giants teammates came to Manning's defense on Tuesday.

Wide receiver Amani Toomer, who played his entire career with Barber, was stunned.

"I thought Tiki and Eli were pretty good friends," Toomer said. "It's kind of strange to have him say something like that and to make a point of it like that. Maybe he had somebody else in his ear kind of coaxing him into saying stuff, because I don't believe he really believes that. I don't know why he'd say something like that."

Manning's father, Archie, said at a charity bowling event in Indianapolis for his other son, Super Bowl MVP Peyton, that he had not counseled the Giants quarterback on how to handle the situation.

"He talked to me a while ago and said Tiki got after him a little bit the other night, and he said it's not a big deal," Archie Manning said. "He told me a whole lot of people in the Giants organization were proud of what he said.

"Eli's not a controversial guy and he's not going to be. I feel like if Eli did something like that, it would come from his heart."

Center Shaun O'Hara said that Manning is progressing as a leader, especially for a fourth-year player.

"I don't have any problems with Eli's leadership and the way he does it," O'Hara said. "He's doing it his way. I think players appreciate that. It's a shame everybody wants Eli to be somebody they think he should be instead of just letting him be himself."

O'Hara noted that Manning might be under the microscope more than most young quarterbacks because he is the brother of Peyton Manning.

"For me, you can be Johnny Rah-Rah, but if you're not doing your job, if you're not pulling your weight, it doesn't matter what you say," O'Hara said. "Being loud, that doesn't make you a great leader."

Tackle David Diehl said Manning showed his leadership Sunday night, getting the offense lined up right when the Ravens threw a couple of new looks at them on defense.

Giants new quarterback coach Chris Palmer added that Manning does everything a coach wants.

"Everybody leads in a different way," Palmer said. "If you buy any business books, there are 101 ways to lead. He'll lead in his own particular fashion."

While Barber praised Manning at times for his play, he also questioned whether he could be a leader of men and make plays when the chips were down.

"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," Barber said on the show.

Barber then told the story about Manning being uncomfortable talking to the offense in Week 12.

"He didn't feel like his voice was going to be strong enough and it showed," Barber said. "Sometimes it was almost comical the way that he would say things."

While Barber rushed for 1,662 yards last season, the second highest single-season total in Giants history, he also was a distraction in an 8-8 season that saw the Giants make the playoffs.

He went on record in early October saying that the 2006 season would probably be his last. He also created problems for Coughlin when he criticized him for pulling away from the running game too soon in a loss to Jacksonville in November.

It was the second time he went after his head coach.

After a playoff loss to Carolina in 2005, Barber said Coughlin was outcoached by Panther coach John Fox, a former Giants assistant.

While Coughlin refused to get involved in the controversy, he was happy Manning defended himself.

"Well, he thought about what he was going to do, and he decided he would say exactly what he felt," Coughlin said.

[HEROHAMO]

Manning stinks!

[ChocolateMilk]

its not that he's bad... it just seems like he doesnt like football. like it was forced onto him because of who his dad was. he just never looks comfortable behind center...... oh and tiki barber is a douche bag. am i allowed to say that?

[Justice Hog]

The problem with Eli is that he is always always always gonna be compared to his brother and Eli isn't even talented enough to tie his brother's shoes.

[BossHog]

Tiki's calling Eli the problem when Tiki is STILL a distraction to the team when he's RETIRED.



What a piece of garbage.

For the record, I find Eli a little whiny, and don't have any trouble seeing what Tiki said as true - I just think that if Tiki thinks sketchy leadership is more damaging than having an 'elite' player that ONLY cares about himself - he's kidding himself.

But hey thanks anyway Tiki - you don't even play for the Giants anymore and your still trying to disrupt the team... Redskin, Cowboy and Eagle fans everywhere thank you, salute you, and ask that you still keep putting yourself above everything else if it means crapping on your former team and taking them away from football for any reason...

It takes monumental selfishness to continue to be a pariah to a team that you don't even play for anymre.

[Fios]

Tiki was quoted as saying, since he is in the media now, it's his "job to be controversial." You want to know why today's sports media is so awful? That statement right there is a big part of the reason.

[JPFair]

Seeing comments like "Eli will lead the team in his own way", "There are many ways to lead", and "You don't have to be loud to be a leader"...I think anyone can read between the lines and see at least a slight bit of veracity in Tiki Barber's comments. I take from it that Eli Manning is quiet and unassuming, when they feel like the QB should be a little more vocal. I agree there is more than one way to lead, though I suspect there is still a bit of a problem when a QB with the New York Giants lacks the gumption to be a "vocal" leader.

Having said that, Barber needs to focus on being an NFL analyst, and not use his newfound position as a format for criticising his old team. It seems like Barber just can't stay out of the lineup, and will say/do anything to keep the spotlight on him no matter what. What is it about this guy that he wants to be the center of attention? I mean, last season is over, there's a new season coming up, and there's no need to start discussing stuff like that now. Tiki, concentrate on being a better football analyst and try to rely on your knowledge and expertise of the game instead of drawing attention to you and the NYG. And, while he's at it, he should look up the definition of the word "distraction" and try not to be one for the second year in a row.

[redskingush]

This is great stuff, glad to see things are nice and calm at Redskin Park, its always good when nobody's talking about you(us).

[PulpExposure]

The problem with Eli is that he is always always always gonna be compared to his brother and Eli isn't even talented enough to tie his brother's shoes.

If Eli Manning's name was Eli Smith, he wouldn't have been the first pick in the NFL draft.

Tiki was quoted as saying, since he is in the media now, it's his "job to be controversial." You want to know why today's sports media is so awful? That statement right there is a big part of the reason.

I sometimes listen to Sportstalk 980, and I get infuriated by some of the idiotic things Czaban and Andy Polian say. I swear they only say these things...to be controversial and generate anger.

Or they're idiots.

Or both, more likely.

[Fios]

The problem with Eli is that he is always always always gonna be compared to his brother and Eli isn't even talented enough to tie his brother's shoes.

If Eli Manning's name was Eli Smith, he wouldn't have been the first pick in the NFL draft.

Tiki was quoted as saying, since he is in the media now, it's his "job to be controversial." You want to know why today's sports media is so awful? That statement right there is a big part of the reason.

I sometimes listen to Sportstalk 980, and I get infuriated by some of the idiotic things Czaban and Andy Polian say. I swear they only say these things...to be controversial and generate anger.

Or they're idiots.

Or both, more likely.

1) Amen
2) That's why I avoid sports radio, I just don't find value in listening to these guys whose opinions I don't respect. It's not as if they've made careers built on insight and poignant analysis, were that the case, I'd tune in. But being the loudest braying donkey in a room full of jackasses is not something I admire and, outside of sports, isn't considered admirable.

[PulpExposure]

But being the loudest braying donkey in a room full of jackasses is not something I admire and, outside of sports, isn't considered admirable.

Lol, perfect. That's spot-on.

[frankcal20]

Good for Eli. I thought that Football was a band of brothers. Don't call out a guy because you are no longer on the team and you are a "SO CALLED JOURNALIST."

[Justice Hog]

Have you guys seen the banner I fly at Redskins-Giants home games yet? If not, you'll see it this year!

[jeremyroyce]

I'm so tired of people ripping Eli Manning including Tiki Fumble Barber. Anybody could question Tiki Fumble Barber leadership skills after he called out his head coach twice and said in the midldle of the year that he was going to retire that he didin't have it in him anymore to play. So, as far as Barber is concerned he needs to just shut up and get away from football so we don't have to hear his crying.

[terpsez11]

This is great stuff, glad to see things are nice and calm at Redskin Park, its always good when nobody's talking about you(us).

exactly...Bye Couglin

[BnGhog]

Watching Tiki say it........................

I didn't think he ment it to be bashing Eli.

I mean the way he said it, it really looked like he ment no harm.

I think Tiki can't tell a lie. I you ask this guy anything, he will tell you exactly how he feels and don't think about what he is saying. No excuse, I know. But I was watching when he said it, and it didn't seem like bashing to me. In fact I didn't think twice about it untill I seen this topic.

[JPFair]

Most of the modern day professional athletes are self-centered and egotistical, however, Tiki Barber takes self-centeredness to new heights. He's the epitome of a "me first" type of person. While there is no I in this team, there is certainly an I in his team. With Tiki Barber, it's all about Tiki Barber, and he constantly has to be the hot topic of discussion. Personally, I don't really care what Tiki Barber/Eli Manning say or do, and whatever he says goes in one ear and out the other. I refuse to patronize that self-centered, self-serving, and egotistical crybaby.

[Fios]

Tiki is a blow hard, in a few years he'll be wondering 1) why he isn't the popular media figure he sees himself as and 2) why he's become a pariah to Giants fans

[HEROHAMO]

Tiki was quoted as saying, since he is in the media now, it's his "job to be controversial." You want to know why today's sports media is so awful? That statement right there is a big part of the reason.

This is what makes Sports "Entertainment". Football would be boring if we just had to listen to Madden and his boring breakdowns all game. I love the contreversie, the T.O. s of the game and the whole lot. Media can be bothersome at times but oh well its there job.

As far as Eli goes this is the funniest stuff I have heard in a while. I am sure the whole team feels the same way. I say two more years for Eli. If he does not shape up I am sure him and Coughlin will be gone. LOL

[Irn-Bru]

Tiki was quoted as saying, since he is in the media now, it's his "job to be controversial." You want to know why today's sports media is so awful? That statement right there is a big part of the reason.

This is what makes Sports "Entertainment". Football would be boring if we just had to listen to Madden and his boring breakdowns all game. I love the contreversie, the T.O. s of the game and the whole lot. Media can be bothersome at times but oh well its there job.

I think Fios is right, but I think Herohamo's post shows why the media has gone in the direction that it has. . .because I would wager that probably 60-70% of Americans would identify more with Herohamo's argument than Fios'.

[Countertrey]

Tiki was quoted as saying, since he is in the media now, it's his "job to be controversial." You want to know why today's sports media is so awful? That statement right there is a big part of the reason.

This is what makes Sports "Entertainment". Football would be boring if we just had to listen to Madden and his boring breakdowns all game. I love the contreversie, the T.O. s of the game and the whole lot. Media can be bothersome at times but oh well its there job.

I think Fios is right, but I think Herohamo's post shows why the media has gone in the direction that it has. . .because I would wager that probably 60-70% of Americans would identify more with Herohamo's argument than Fios'.

I blame Billy "White Shoes" Johnson for this whole mess...