[EmpireWF]

ESPN and the NY Times report this morning that Tiki Barber plans to retire from the NFL after this season.

During a promotional book tour (the book he wrote w/ his brother Ronde), he said this would be his last season in the NFL and said his mind is pretty much made up. When asked if anything would change his mind, he said not really.

About his quest for a Super Bowl ring, he said he's alright if he doesn't get one because he did his best.

Wow...this is pretty gigantic news today. If he does indeed retire, that would leave Brandon Jacobs and likely a back who's not on the roster right now for 2007.

But you can't blame Tiki for wanting to live his life after the NFL...while he's still healthy.

[simple simon]

this is rather stunning

i just found it elsewhere and was about to post a thread about it

he is only 31

he is projected to have about 10,500 career rushing yards at the end of this season

seems with just 2 more good years he could solidify his case for the HOF with well over 12,000 yards

beyond that Eli seems to be getting better and better and i think in the next 2 or 3 years they could have a real shot at a championship

with all of this plus his salary, i think he will be back for those 2 years

on a personal note, i really like him, he and his brother seem to be real stand up guys and generally nice people so i hope he comes back

[Fossil]

Tiki would NOT be a HOFer if he retired after this year.

At least, not until the following players are elected before him:

1. Marshall Faulk
2. Curtis Martin
3. Thurman Thomas
4. Jerome Bettis
5. Ricky Watters
6. Roger Craig (3 SB titles)
7. LT and Alexander

Strong cases could be made for Eddie George and Ottis Anderson over Tiki. Plus, guys like Corey Dillon and Warrick Dunn are still adding to their career totals and may well eclipse Tiki by the time they're done.

Tiki's been a very talented player. But he's never been the best player or best RB in the league, and he's never won a SB (and was not much of a factor when the Giants got walloped in 2000). He started very slowly for an RB, which is unusual because most RBs with comparable numbers started very strong and slowed significantly by age 31. But nonetheless, it's not like he was Steve Young waiting for his turn behind Joe Montana or anything (Gary Brown and Charles Way led the team in rushing his first 2 years, for pete's sake!).

Too often, we lionize players who are on the brink of retirement, and they are all called HOFers. And I hate the fact that the football HOF mandates a quota of players who must make it every year. But even so, not every star RB from this decade (Fred Taylor, Priest Holmes, Ricky Williams, heck, don't forget Terrell Davis) can make it.

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, Fossil.

I think Eddie George is a good name to bring up. From Heisman winner to a reliable workhorse for the Titans, he had a great career. His long term consistency is probably a deciding factor for me.

Look forward to chatting more with you.

[Trashed]

I don't think he'll retire personally. If he does they need to draft a back to go with Jacobs who's really showing his stuff. Free agent running back signings don't often work out well.

[ThePundit]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo Fossil. I agree that Faulk, Curtis Martin and Thurman Thomas are no brainers but Bettis and Craig while the were outstanding players, they're not HOFamers. Tiki is borderline.

If Tiki did retire, he'd be going out on top of his game. I would like to see him play another year or two.

[soriano33]

I definitely believe Thurman should be a HOFer, considering the AFC Championship teams he was on, his yards from scrimmage every year were near tps in the league. The Bills dont get to those 4 Super Bowl's without him...as far as Tiki he is one of my favorite players outside the Bills in the NFL...he is one of the leagues true nice guys. He has the personality and ambition to pursue anything he wants but I would hope for the GIants and for the NFL he sticks around

[Fossil]

Thanks, everyone, for the kind introductions. I love debating NFL history and comparing players across eras. I was listening to Dan Patrick this afternoon discussing this story and a name from the past was mentioned: Chuck Foreman, one of my favorite players from the 70s. I believe he led the league in receptions once, and was a consistent 1000 yard rusher in those 14 game seasons. His teams also made a couple of SBs. Too often, the greats from the earlier eras are forgotten. Why Mick Tinglehoff is not in the HOF is a complete mystery.

[The Franchise13]

When did he announce this? I still believe.......(if this is true) that he should play for one more year. I mean the giants have adjusted with Eli and they have done good. Tiki hasn't been heard of over the last few days but i'd like to see him go down as a great one.

[MJHMarc]

ESPN claims that he was "leaning towards" retirement which means that it isn't official, yet. I hope he comes to his senses and stays a few more years. He is still one of the best rushers in the game so I can't understand why he would call it quits.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

ESPN claims that he was "leaning towards" retirement which means that it isn't official, yet. I hope he comes to his senses and stays a few more years. He is still one of the best rushers in the game so I can't understand why he would call it quits.

Tiki has tons of endeavors, business wise, outside of football. He's an established prescence within the media (he's on Fox News morning show) and he does have talents as being a TV Personality. He's said numerous times that he doesn't want to leave the game when his body is already broken down.

[Trashed]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Tiki has tons of endeavors, business wise, outside of football. He's an established prescence within the media (he's on Fox News morning show) and he does have talents as being a TV Personality. He's said numerous times that he doesn't want to leave the game when his body is already broken down.

Players always say that and they stick around. Usually just because they simply enjoy playing so much. I honestly think Tiki will play 1 more year because I feel next year will be their best shot at the Lombardi Trophy. Then he walks away on his way to Canton.

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by Trashed

Players always say that and they stick around. Usually just because they simply enjoy playing so much

True. Example:Brett Favre!

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Fossil

Thanks, everyone, for the kind introductions. I love debating NFL history and comparing players across eras. I was listening to Dan Patrick this afternoon discussing this story and a name from the past was mentioned: Chuck Foreman, one of my favorite players from the 70s. I believe he led the league in receptions once, and was a consistent 1000 yard rusher in those 14 game seasons. His teams also made a couple of SBs. Too often, the greats from the earlier eras are forgotten. Why Mick Tinglehoff is not in the HOF is a complete mystery.

Ah Chuck Foreman - You're right fossil, that was a great era. Some other good backs from that time: Lawrence McCutcheon, Sam "Bam" Cunningham, Lydell Mitchell, Terry Metcalf....

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by Trashed

Then he walks away on his way to Canton.

You think Tiki is a Hall of Fame runningback at this point?

I don't see it.