Tiki Barber Returning To NFL
According to RotoWorld, former Giants RB Tiki Barber has filed the necessary paperwork with the NFL that will declare him un-retired and ready to play in the 2011 season if there is no lockout.
Barber, who is now 35 years old, last played for the Giants in 2006 where he amounted for 2,127 total yards. He retired after that season and joined NBC as a broadcaster where he has been ever since.
The main concern for Tiki is whether or not he still has enough in the tank to succeed as an NFL back. He last played at the age of 31, and not many running backs see much success playing through their thirties:
Shaun Alexander, considered one of the best backs in the league between 2004-2006, saw his statistics drop drastically when he turned 29 and 30 and hasn't played in the NFL since 2008.
Despite rushing for over 900 yards last season, LaDainian Tomlinson has lost a step or two since entering his 30's and has seen his statistics drop every year.
Larry Johnson was the replacement for another aging running back Priest Holmes, but after rushing for well over 1,000 yards year in and year out, he was never the same after entering his thirties and has been reduced to a backup role in the NFL.
Granted, some running backs have had great success in their thirties since the 90's (Curtis Martin, Emmitt Smith), but the majority of the great backs in the league never seem to be the same once they hit the 30 plateau. The question will be whether or not Tiki Barber is as good as the backs that succeeded.
Another question will be whether or not Barber can get a job. Under league rules, the Giants still have the first choice of what to do with Barber since he retired as a Giant in '06. They can decide to sign him to a new deal or release him into free agency. However, with Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs holding down the backfield, and the constant off the field drama between Barber and head coach Tom Coughlin, it is unlikely Barber will return to New York.
The other possible option would be Tampa Bay. Barber's twin brother Ronde has played for the Bucs his entire career, so it is likely that the two would love to play together before they both retire. The Buccaneers also have had inconsistent running backs before the rise of LeGarrette Blount, so Tiki may be able to be significant down south.
Other teams that could use running backs are the Rams (who not only have Steven Jackson slowing down but have a former Giants coach at the top), the Dolphins (who saw Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown falter last season), and the Saints (who may lose Reggie Bush soon).
It is clear that there are teams that need running back help going into next season, but it will all depend on whether or not Barber still has the legs that will lead to his success or failure.
