http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3003699 Tiki Barber has already used the television airwaves to rip his former team and now the retired Giants running back reportedly is criticizing them in print. [Tom Coughlin] robbed me of what had been one of the most important things I had in my life, which was the joy I felt playing football. Tiki Barber In excerpts of his new book "Tiki: My Life in the Game and Beyond" obtained by the New York Daily News, Barber writes that he might still be playing if Tom Coughlin weren't still coaching the Giants. The book goes on sale Sept. 18. "If Tom Coughlin had not remained as head coach of the Giants, I might still be in a Giants uniform," Barber writes, according to the Daily News. "[Coughlin] robbed me of what had been one of the most important things I had in my life, which was the joy I felt playing football," Barber wrote, according to the newspaper. "I had lost that. He had taken it away." Barber credits Coughlin with solving his chronic fumbling problems but wrote that he believes it was his performance that kept Coughlin employed by the Giants. Under Coughlin, Barber ranked among the NFL's top five rushers; in the three seasons beginning in 2004, Barber gained 1,518 (fifth), 1,860 (second) and 1,662 yards (fourth). "It's a double-edged sword, because as much as Coach Coughlin helped me, I also helped Tom Coughlin," Barber wrote, according to the newspaper. According to the Daily News, Barber also claims in the book that he was shorted about $10 million in his career by the Giants, who underpaid him compared with other top running backs. Last month, Barber criticized Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Barber had said that Manning's attempt to lead an offensive meeting in the 12th week of the last season was "comical" at times. After sarcastically noting that Barber was making a smooth transition from the playing field to television, the normally reserved Manning said he could have questioned Barber's leadership last season for calling out Coughlin and then having articles about him retiring in the middle of the season. It turned out to be a major distraction for the Giants. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Does anyone disagree? I sure don't. Too bad because Tiki was probably the only Giant I like.
Tiki is an idiot. He's making headlines and selling books in the short term but, in the long run, he's tarnishing his reputation and his hall of fame chances. Taking pot shots is not a good way to solidify a legacy.
He's doing it again?! This guy has turned into the most impolitic tard there is. He can't wait until Coughlin gets fired after this season? You know, he's still coaching his teammates, the teammates he professes to care for. Way to go getting them all lathered up in all the wrong ways. Even if the team does hate Coughlin's guts, that's immaterial. What is he trying to prove? EDIT: And don't confuse any of that for some form of BLECCCCCCH affection for the Giants. I hate them. I'm just being objective here. If they go down in a ball of flame, there isn't much else that would make me happier - except the Jets excelling. I just don't think ambush is admirable.
Numnuts strikes again. Duhhhhh. That's true Tiki, but that's how every coach-player relationship is. Why do you think you're an exception to every rule all the time?
I am curious, he talks like he has some kind of otherworldy championship lineage. WTF has this chump ever won in his career? How about some similar examples: For all the hate I feel for Dan Marino as an example, Tiki is not even close to being this good, did he ever rip former teamates and coaches........... What about Curtis Martin. Hell no.............. Hey Tiki ............. STFU and GFY!
the giants teams of the last couple years are easily the most hatable i can remember in any sport. other teams might have one or maybe 2 giant douchebags but the giants had 5 or 6. i'm curious how giants fans deal with it. do you just ignore everything that's said off the field?
I don't think Coughlin's a good coach and normally I wouldn't defend him, but Tiki's a little bitch. Coughlin fixed Tiki's fumbling problem and helped him become one of the league's best backs. Whether he likes him or not, Tiki owes him his career. I, for one, can't WAIT for his book to come out. Sept 18.. just two more weeks..
After tarnishing his football career by being a selfish bitch, is he trying to lose his job in media as well by burning every bridge other than the one to his brother?
Now that he isn't busting off big runs for the Giants, nobody really cares what Tiki has to say. Sadly, he will be the last person to figure this out. We call this Boomer Esiason Syndrome.
Tiki wasnt shit without Coughlin. He owes that man everything. Tiki Barber from 2000-2003 averaged 818 rushing yards. [2000 was his 1st 1000 yard season] Tiki Barber from 2004-2006 averaged 1680 rushing yards.
Ive been saying for 2 years now.. As much as I dislike Coughlin...I feel bad for him as he never stood a chance coaching that team w/ the political games Strahan, Barber and Shockey continually are allowed to play in that locker room.
For someone who has always seemed to care about his own image above all else, he sure is anxious to destroy it. Coughlin must be jumping up and down for joy - this is just about the only way he ends up looking like an unfair target in NY.
How true is that statement. Is there any doubt that if Tiki walked out of the tunnel on opening day, Giants fans would boo until asphyxia set in? I mean how silly is that, the guy is an all-time Giant, possibly the best running back to ever put on the uniform, and now he's become a virtual pariah. The worst part is having to hear about how Coughlin cut his Giants career short. Uh, whaa? Tiki, do you remember getting benched by Fassel? Do you remember almost getting run out of town by the media? If it wasn't for Coughlin he most likely would have been released years ago, quietly finishing off his career in a 3rd world hell hole like Detroit, with no possibility of landing that covetous title of analyst/pseudo-journalist/douchebag with a mic, only the largest media market in the country could offer. Just go away already.
Tom made 2 Championship games as a HC before he had Tiki and in a weak conf he never won a playoff game w/ Tiki so how exactly did Tom need Tiki? Couhglin made Tiki a great player, a borderline HOFer and this is how tiki continues to repay him?
