Irvin Says Quitters Can't Be Leaders
TV 'IDIOTS' FIRE BACK AT BARBER
IRVIN SAYS QUITTERS CAN'T BE LEADERS
By ANDREW MARCHAND
ESPN's Michael Irvin continued his verbal war with Tiki Barber yesterday, saying the retirement issue will impede Barber's ability to be a team leader on the Giants.
October 27, 2006 -- In the heat of games, Irvin said he thinks Barber's teammates might not be compelled to listen to him anymore.
"It kills his ability to lead," Irvin told The Post. "He is the leader of that football team. If I am a young guy and we are in a battle and we are banging heads and we are fighting. I'm out there getting hit and being hit and we are in a tough spot in a football game.
"If I am in the line of battle and Tiki comes to me and says, 'Come on, give me what you have!' I'm going to look at him and say, 'Aww, shut up. What are you talking about? You are quitting on us.' This stuff will come out on the sideline."
Yesterday, led by Eli Manning, Barber's teammates disagreed with Irvin's assessment, saying Barber's retirement plans becoming public have no impact.
"For us, it didn't change anything," Manning said. "We can't worry about next season. It is worrying about this week and this game. Now, we know we can really wear him out this season. We don't have to save anything for next season."
The issue of Barber as a possible distraction likely would have been silenced for the time being had Barber not resorted to name-calling on his Sirius Satellite Radio show Tuesday night.
On the "Barber Shop" - which Tiki is host of with his brother and Sunday opponent, Ronde of the Bucs - Barber called out some media members, including Irvin and ESPN's Tom Jackson, whom he labeled "idiots." Barber said the two offered opinions without speaking to him or anyone with the Giants.
Barber drew further attention to the situation by belittling Irvin, adding that Irvin is the "ultimate character guy, facetiously speaking, of course."
"Please get a clue about how to be a journalist," Barber concluded.
Irvin did not appreciate the personal attacks, but said it comes with the territory.
October 27, 2006 -- CONTINUED
"I know people talk about Tiki as a class guy, but it is what it is," Irvin said. "The thing that struck me as odd is I try not to listen to idiots. I try not to let their opinions sway me in any way or control my feelings in any way. If you really thought that we were idiots, why would our opinion get to you so much?"
Jackson was listening to the "Barber Shop" when Tiki went on the offensive. Jackson said he was a bit surprised by Barber's harsh language, but stood by his belief that the situation is a "distraction" for the Giants.
"I thought that the name-calling seemed a bit unnecessary," Jackson told The Post yesterday.
Jackson is a huge Barber fan. He said he often watches Barber on Fox News' "Fox & Friends." On that show, Jackson said Barber opines on a variety of subjects.
"I was asked an opinion about a subject, just the way he is often asked an opinion about a myriad of topics, a plethora of things," Jackson said. "I'm assuming that often times that when he gives those opinions that he has not spoken directly to the people he is talking about because some of those opinions include the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, senators, governors, movies, books, I'm assuming he hasn't spoken to all those people before he gives those opinions. His opinion is no less valid. It is an opinion. That's all."
No matter how respected Jackson and Irvin were as players, no Giant was willing to side with them on the issue. In their public comments, the Giants all were squarely behind Barber.
"There is no quit in that guy," Antonio Pierce said. "He is still our leader on offense."
Plaxico Burress said, "I don't feel it has been a distraction at all. I'm sure everyone can see the way he is playing, the way he is running."
IRVIN SAYS QUITTERS CAN'T BE LEADERS
By ANDREW MARCHAND
ESPN's Michael Irvin continued his verbal war with Tiki Barber yesterday, saying the retirement issue will impede Barber's ability to be a team leader on the Giants.
October 27, 2006 -- In the heat of games, Irvin said he thinks Barber's teammates might not be compelled to listen to him anymore.
"It kills his ability to lead," Irvin told The Post. "He is the leader of that football team. If I am a young guy and we are in a battle and we are banging heads and we are fighting. I'm out there getting hit and being hit and we are in a tough spot in a football game.
"If I am in the line of battle and Tiki comes to me and says, 'Come on, give me what you have!' I'm going to look at him and say, 'Aww, shut up. What are you talking about? You are quitting on us.' This stuff will come out on the sideline."
Yesterday, led by Eli Manning, Barber's teammates disagreed with Irvin's assessment, saying Barber's retirement plans becoming public have no impact.
"For us, it didn't change anything," Manning said. "We can't worry about next season. It is worrying about this week and this game. Now, we know we can really wear him out this season. We don't have to save anything for next season."
The issue of Barber as a possible distraction likely would have been silenced for the time being had Barber not resorted to name-calling on his Sirius Satellite Radio show Tuesday night.
On the "Barber Shop" - which Tiki is host of with his brother and Sunday opponent, Ronde of the Bucs - Barber called out some media members, including Irvin and ESPN's Tom Jackson, whom he labeled "idiots." Barber said the two offered opinions without speaking to him or anyone with the Giants.
Barber drew further attention to the situation by belittling Irvin, adding that Irvin is the "ultimate character guy, facetiously speaking, of course."
"Please get a clue about how to be a journalist," Barber concluded.
Irvin did not appreciate the personal attacks, but said it comes with the territory.
October 27, 2006 -- CONTINUED
"I know people talk about Tiki as a class guy, but it is what it is," Irvin said. "The thing that struck me as odd is I try not to listen to idiots. I try not to let their opinions sway me in any way or control my feelings in any way. If you really thought that we were idiots, why would our opinion get to you so much?"
Jackson was listening to the "Barber Shop" when Tiki went on the offensive. Jackson said he was a bit surprised by Barber's harsh language, but stood by his belief that the situation is a "distraction" for the Giants.
"I thought that the name-calling seemed a bit unnecessary," Jackson told The Post yesterday.
Jackson is a huge Barber fan. He said he often watches Barber on Fox News' "Fox & Friends." On that show, Jackson said Barber opines on a variety of subjects.
"I was asked an opinion about a subject, just the way he is often asked an opinion about a myriad of topics, a plethora of things," Jackson said. "I'm assuming that often times that when he gives those opinions that he has not spoken directly to the people he is talking about because some of those opinions include the President of the United States, the Secretary of State, senators, governors, movies, books, I'm assuming he hasn't spoken to all those people before he gives those opinions. His opinion is no less valid. It is an opinion. That's all."
No matter how respected Jackson and Irvin were as players, no Giant was willing to side with them on the issue. In their public comments, the Giants all were squarely behind Barber.
"There is no quit in that guy," Antonio Pierce said. "He is still our leader on offense."
Plaxico Burress said, "I don't feel it has been a distraction at all. I'm sure everyone can see the way he is playing, the way he is running."
posted by The Gryphon at 6:33 PM
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