Tiki Barber

In a time when the only sports figures discussed around here were all Yankees (and now when you mention those guys it's usually not without controversy), Tiki Barber was one guy that was worth mentioning. He was a guy you had to love. From the moment he became a Giant, his attitude was great, his dedication was great and her performed. What more can you ask for? Too bad previous Giant coaches didn't have the vision to see how Tiki can impact the team when given a chance and instead the relegated him to punt returns and being a 3rd down specialist.

Then along came Tom Coughlin. He made Tiki into a top notch running back. Of course the fumbles were an issue for a while but Coughlin even corrected that. And when he did, a star was born. For a stretch of 3 seasons, Tiki was arguably the most proficient back in the NFL. He shattered Giants records and was an MVP candidate each season.

Then something went wrong. I think this is a classic case of a guy's ego growing too big. During a contract dispute, Tiki gets into a public war of words with the team captain and face of the franchise Michael Strahan. Then he starts shooting his mouth off in the press about how the coaches lost a game (see playoff loss to Carolina) for them.

After the 2006 season, in an attempt to show his real value to the team, Tiki decides to retire. But before he does, he tells the GM and ownership that if they get rid of Coughlin, he'll reconsider. Needless to say, we know they chose Coughlin and Tiki went off to NBC to discuss recipes and window treatments.

All of these events lead me to my point. The once beloved MVP of the team, is now the town jerk. In less than 1 year, he managed to get three quarters of his former teammates to hate him and a good portion of Giants fans. Just to put this in perspective, T.O. left San Francisco with more friends and fans than Tiki has in NY right now.

This amounts to one of the worst PR moves in all of sports. The intention was to retire so the team can see how valuable he was and he would go down as a NY sports legend. Instead, he let's his big mouth and huge ego get in the way. The Giants didn't help much by making the playoffs and having a running game that is just as productive without Tiki as it was with him in the lineup.

So on the eve of the playoffs, Tiki announces he will be at the game on the Bucs sideline to support his brother but he will wear a Giants hat. As a Tike Barber jersey owner, I say don't bother faking it by wearing the hat. We all know where your allegiances lie.

FIRE ISIAH!!!