If any of you recall, I wrote a previous post about how players shouldn’t come out of retirement in order to preserve their legacy. I love when new examples appear that support what I’ve already said.
Let’s start with the easiest one; none other than our good friend Peter Forsberg. If you remember, I openly stated that Forsberg’s comeback try was a mistake.
Two games, no points, and a -4 rating later, I think it’s safe to say Forsberg should’ve stayed on his couch. Except for the minor publicity that he gave the Avalanche and the NHL, Forsberg brought nothing to the league or the organization. It was another fruitless comeback attempt for another aging star, and really, it’s becoming sad to watch.
Most NFL players don’t watch hockey though, so it comes as no surprise that another NFL player is attempting a Forsberg-esque comeback. Today, Tiki Barber announced that he wants to return to the NFL.
I guess it’s true, history does repeat itself. Here is another sad case of a retired player hanging on for one last shot at the big time. Although many Giants fans may remember Tiki for his negative comments about Eli Manning, they also remember him for being a speedy, elusive, tough as nails running back who always gave his team everything he had. He retired as one of the greatest backs in the Giants storied history, and also finished as their all time leading receiver.
That’s how he should be remembered.
He shouldn’t be remembered as that guy who couldn’t call it quits. Some people applauded Tiki when he retired as a 32 year old back in 2006. Here was a guy who knew when to hang ‘em up.
But he never really did hang ‘em up; he just put them away for storage. Tiki wants to come back now, and like it was for the many who have tried before him, I can only see this ending badly.
According to multiple sources, Tiki hopes to join his brother Ronde in Tampa Bay. While this may seem like a good fit and an even nicer story, I don’t think so. The Bucs are young and talented. They need to continue to learn to win as a group, and the more they grow together as a unit, the better they’ll be. Last year, the Bucs thrived as nobody-cares-about-us underdogs who stayed out of the limelight. Tiki would not only disrupt the chemistry on the team, but he would bring a New York sized spotlight into Tampa Bay.
Even if you discount the negative attention Tiki will bring, he doesn’t even fit well as a player. The Bucs picked up a huge sleeper last year in running back Lagarette Blount. He ran the ball extremely well for them last year, and will continue to improve. They also have Cadillac Williams to back him up, and although he’s listed at fullback, Earnest Graham (a former 1000 yard rusher) as insurance.
The Bucs (as well as most other teams) don’t need Tiki, and frankly, Tiki doesn’t really need them. Hes better off staying retired, and preserving his legacy as possibly the greatest running back in Giants history. There aren’t too many players who can make that claim.
He retired too young,at his peak. He should have come back in 2009 the latest.I agree now its too late.But the big but is he's a football player.Thats all he does so if he wants to play even if not at the highest level,he should.
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