Manning, Barber in Giant feud

The former running back, turned broadcaster, criticized the quarterback.

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 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.”

Manning speaks out

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 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.”

Teammates aid Manning

Giants teammates came to Manning’s defense 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.”

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.”