Tired of Tiki

Let me preface the following paragraphs with this important piece of information: there is nothing Tiki Barber could ever do to erase how important he's been to the New York Giants for the past ten years. However, the more interviews he conducts, the more magazines that feature articles on him, and the more radio spots he does is making his impending retirement a lot easier to handle. Quite frankly, it is time for him to go. His heart is not in the game and the more evident it becomes, the harder it is to root for him. I've been fighting this feeling for weeks, but his constant dismissal of being sentimental about his last few games is troubling. He claims he's not focused on himself as part of an effort to put his team first, but it's clear that's not the case. Ironically, his general lack of focus is hurting the team far more than the "Me-Ki" label he was given earlier this year. The following quote appeared in today's Journal News. It reads like every other sound bite he has given the past few week's, but is especially telling in where his focus truly lies.

"My focus is on winning. That's what I've been thinking about for the last few weeks. Just like it wasn't overly emotional last week [the home finale]. I love this game, but I also have great excitement about what I'm going to do next."

Tiki's philosophical take on the next phase of his life may be endearing to network executives, but it's as nauseating as that face Eli makes after a foolish mistake. Look, we're all happy that his hard work has translated in to a very successful NFL career which will enable him television opportunities. But Tiki needs to learn, as far as his appearance and intelligence would have gotten him in life, it is nowhere as important as his NFL pedigree. To forsake that, to label it only as "a character I've been playing for 10 years" as he suggests in ESPN the Magazine, is a disservice to the New York Giants organization and his fans. No one can question he's still being productive when called upon, but that's more of a testament to his fierce competitiveness. And I would never suggest he's not trying to help win ball games, but to focus so much on his post-football days while still suiting up is unacceptable. I'm not questioning his decision to retire; he has every right to hang it up after this season. But leave the candid discussion about retirement until his playing days are officially over. The worst part of all is watching his mannerisms on game day.

The cameras follow him around as often as they can on Sundays, but all that can be seen are blank stares by a man already thinking about his post game interviews. For once, I'd like to see him in a group with the other running backs, giving out a few last pointers. Or maybe pulling his quarterback aside, telling him the days of relying on his all-purpose back are numbered so he better get his act together. Maybe he could talk to his ego-maniacal receivers, show them you can achieve great things with some class and a lot of hard work. Instead, he's fantasizing about being the next Matt Lauer. Think I was disgusted by the comments he made above? I'd rather watch the Red Sox 2004 Championship DVDs than have to read that again. Now I'm not trying to say Lauer is not good at what he does, or that Tiki shouldn't try and emulate a professional in a field that he's interested in. All I'm saying is save that talk for the offseason. Right now, he is a member of the New York Football Giants. He has always been the consumate professional, which should include being 100 percent focused on the tasks at hand for your current employer. He's certainly not doing that right now, and it's hard to handle. Saturday could be the last time Giants fans see Tiki Barber running for Big Blue. Unfortunately, they care about it a hell of a lot more than he does.