36 is not the new 26, especially at running back
Tiki Barber retired in Jim Brown-type fashion: at the top of his game. Barber retired after the 2006 NFL season after rushing for 1,662 yards (2nd highest career total) and receiving another 465 through the air. Normally if a player retires, it’s only a year or two max before they decide to return (in Brett Favre’s case it’s a matter of hours). Despite being a full 4 years removed from the NFL, he recently filed papers to remove himself from retirement and re-join the NFL. While the Giants still hold his rights, word out there is that they’ll let him go so he’s free to sign with whoever he wants. While I’m sure everyone likes to hear he’s coming back and will make a run at it this season, I have problems believing he’ll pick right back up where he left off. I think he’ll get a rude awakening the first time he takes a good shot from a defender and he remembers how it feels. Ricky Williams is one of the few who were able to return to the NFL after a few year-long breaks from football and it took him two full seasons to finally hit the 1,000 yard mark. Problem is Ricky was 31 years old when he had his best season since, and Tiki is going to be 36. I dare you to even name a successful RB in the NFL right now that’s his age and still playing. Tomlison is 31 years old and has had two of his worst seasons as a pro.Thomas Jones is 32 and is becoming an afterthought to Jamaal Charles. Ronnie Brown and Willis McGahee are ancient in running back years and they aren’t even 30 years old. Lets not forget to mention there could be a potential NFL lockout for months on end. Truth is the odds are stacked against Tiki and I don’t think he even makes it through the seasons. I wish him the best, but the chances of him succeeding are slim to none.
The Has Beens 