Barber out

Is anyone else a little annoyed at Tiki Barber retiring? Don't get me wrong, i'm a big fan of saying things like "Brett Favre's legacy is his to ruin" whenever people call for his retirement. But there's a difference in the two players. Favre is a shoe-in for the Hall (hell, they'll probably rename it the Brett Favre Hall of Fame--or move it from Canton to Favreville, i'm sure there's one in Wisconsin or Louisiana named in his honor). But Barber is certainly no shoe-in. He might get in, but he also might not.

What annoys me about his decision to retire is that it shows his lack of desire to play the game, to compete. There's nothing inherently wrong with that--in fact, when you don't enjoy the game anymore, it's time to retire. It just annoys me that this guy could hang in there for two more years and ensure himself a Hall spot, maybe even make it back to the SuperBowl--his team is consistently a playoff contender. He is, after all, better today (arguably) than he has been at any other time in his career.

I saw a stat during the game last night that, from 1997 - 2003, he averaged 2.7 fumbles per X carries (don't remember how many exactly), but under Coughlin from 2004 - 2006 he averaged 0.7 (i probably have these figures a little off, but you get the point: he no longer fumbles). Couple that with the fact that he makes up 40 percent of his team's offense--more than any other current NFL player, and what do you have? Hall potential. But that's it--just potential. I think he needs about two more years of no-fumbling football. I think the Giants need him now more than ever--with their dwindling leadership and increasing lockerroom bickering. I think Eli needs him to continue taking the bulk of the heat so that he can mature into a SB-quality QB.

Barber's decision, while his alone to make, smacks of selfishness and of disregard for the Hall--a feat many players fight their entire careers to achieve, only to fall short. I smell Ricky Williams' attitude on old #21. maybe they wear the same cologne.