fringe Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Associated Press Tiki Barber Ponders Retiring After Season By TOM CANAVAN , 07.28.2006, 08:16 PM Consecutive record-setting seasons hasn't stopped New York Giants running back Tiki Barber from thinking about life after football, possibly even after this season. The 31-year-old Barber said after his first practice at training camp on Friday that he would consider retiring after this season if the right opportunity came along. The NFL's second-leading rusher last season with 1,860 yards, Barber could not describe the perfect job opportunity but he admitted that he got a few offers that interested him this past summer. The Giants' career rushing leader turned them down because he feels that this team can win a championship and get him that cherished ring. "I honestly feel we can compete for a Super Bowl this season," said Barber, who is entering his 10th season. "I am telling everyone on our team and you guys if you want to listen, that we can get there. That we should be able to get there as long as we stay healthy, as long as we all believe that." Coming off an 11-5 season that won them the NFC East title, the Giants are an improved team. All 11 members of the offense are back and the defense has been upgraded with the signing of three-time Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington and three new players for the secondary. While winning a Super Bowl would fulfill his dream and possibly hasten his retirement, Barber isn't solely interested in football. He has many interests. He has worked as a television on-air personality for years, doing a special this summer in New Orleans on the USS New York, a ship being build partially from steel taken from the World Trade Center. Barber also has dabbled in the financial world and written three books with his twin brother, Ronde, a football player with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The two are under contract to write two books for adolescents. "I have a lot in my life already mapped out," Barber said. "I know that some inside and outside of this organization probably aren't happy with what I have been doing. It's my dream and my passion, just as football is. "I know that I have a focus and when camp starts, I shift to this (football)," Barber added. "What I do in my offseason is my business even though it is in the public eye. I'm excited for new challenges in my life and we'll see what happens with this season, and possibly next." Now a member of the 30-plus crowd, Barber isn't slowing down. He has had four straight seasons of rushing for 1,000 yards, including team records of 1,518 yards in 2004 and 1,860 last year. "It's funny because I keep telling myself there is no way I'll do that again," Barber said. "I keep exceeding my own expectations, which is encouraging. It shows me at 30 last year and 31 this year, I am still young." Barber, who two years ago shed his problems with fumbles, would not mind sharing the halfback load this season with second-year pro Brandon Jacobs and third-year pro Derrick Ward. They combined for 73 carries and 222 yards rushing last season, a 3.0 yard average. Barber lugged the ball 357 times, averaging 5.2 yards. Barber feels his two backups have made progress and they are ready to lighten his load. Whether coach Tom Coughlin uses Jacobs and Ward remains to be seen. "Like I do every season I prepare myself for whatever," said Barber, who is under contract until 2008. "If I have to carry the ball every snap, I'll do it. If I get half of them, that's what I'll do as well, as long as it is helping us win." If Barber feels his game is slipping or that an injury is limiting him, it would make him consider retirement. "I know very well my career could end without my biggest dream coming true," Barber said. "But I want to try as hard as I can and to the best of my ability to get that so I won't be the guy who was the greatest rusher in Giants history but ..." Barber hesitated for a few seconds, then finished: "I would like to close this life the right way." Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njsmalls Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Well that's good for him. It seems when he walks away from the game it will be a much easier transistion than most football players endure. I want that championship as much as him...too bad I can't do anything about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420 Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Go out on top with a ring, Tiki! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeMesiS Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 I want for him to have at least 2 more years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyJint Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Even if tiki gets his ring this year, I don't see him retireing. I see him having a couple more solid seasons to make a push for the hall of fame. Also we don't have our RB of the future. Tiki is not the kind of guy who leaves a team in a hole with no rb. He is a classy guy, so I see him staying with the giants, winning a ring, and staying a couple of years to mentor our next franchise RB. He doesn't have football for ever, so he should stick with it as long as he can. All that stuff he is intrested in will still be there for him after he does decide to hang up his cleats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Giant Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Gee, I mean some might say it would have been a good idea to consider drafting a future replacement for him, I mean he's only talked about this for like 2 or 3 years, but hey, a 5th defensive end is good too I guess. J/K, I like the Kiwi pick, but I still think it would have been smarter to draft a replacement for Tiki. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Gee, I mean some might say it would have been a good idea to consider drafting a future replacement for him, I mean he's only talked about this for like 2 or 3 years, but hey, a 5th defensive end is good too I guess. J/K, I like the Kiwi pick, but I still think it would have been smarter to draft a replacement for Tiki. We had a chance to get DeAngelo Williams That's what I wanted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyJint Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 We had a chance to get DeAngelo Williams That's what I wanted Im ok with the kiwi pick but we could have had so much more IMO. I wanted: 1.Jimmy williams 2.DeAngelo williams 3.Winston Justice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Im ok with the kiwi pick but we could have had so much more IMO. I wanted: 1.Jimmy williams 2.DeAngelo williams 3.Winston Justice hopefully Ward will be a Tiki kinda of player, and Jacobs will hopefully be a faster Alstott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyJint Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 If the giants drafted deangelo williams the combo of him and jacobs would have been amazing. Whatever, there has to be a reason why the giants drafted kiwi. We shall see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 If the giants drafted deangelo williams the combo of him and jacobs would have been amazing. Whatever, there has to be a reason why the giants drafted kiwi. We shall see. I think the reason they picked him over a RB is cause they have alot of faith in Ward... he reminds me of a Tiki type player... and with Tiki's help should be able to learn... Ward's got a great teacher in front of him, and the guy has talent... we saw him have spurts of greatness this year, but when oppertunity knocks he better take it by the balls... if we lack a good "quick" RB behind Tiki I guarentee in the next draft that will be our first pick.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hey Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 The only way he retires is if we win the super bowl. Same with strahan, toomer, and feagles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 The only way he retires is if we win the super bowl. Same with strahan, toomer, and feagles. Um...Feagles will leave after this year from what he said in previous comments.... he wants to spend time with family Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 If the giants drafted deangelo williams the combo of him and jacobs would have been amazing. Whatever, there has to be a reason why the giants drafted kiwi. We shall see. and would have totaled 73 carries(maybe). Tiki Barber is the back of this team in the present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Virginia Giant Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 and would have totaled 73 carries(maybe). Tiki Barber is the back of this team in the present. Yes, but what about the back of the future? I realize we can draft a RB in next years draft, we also could have drafted one this year and had an NFL ready RB for when Tiki steps down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditto Posted July 29, 2006 Share Posted July 29, 2006 Terrible news. I'd like to see him get a ring, but unless Eli has a kick ass season, that's not going to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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