He’s BAAAAAAAAACK

Tiki Barber is coming back to the NFL after a four-year hiatus. The former Giants great filed paperwork yesterday for re-instatement.

My friend’s dad is Tiki’s agent, and I spoke to him yesterday about his comeback attempt.  He told me that Tiki is in “great shape,” and has been working out a lot.

That’s nice and all, but he’s also set to turn 36 next month, and hasn’t played a snap since the 2006 season.  He also didn’t leave the NFL on the greatest of terms (calling out Giants coach Tom Couglin and quarterback Eli Manning).

Then there are his off-field issues: Tiki is reportedly broke, thanks in part to NBC cutting him loose, citing a morals clause after Tiki was caught cheating on his wife with a college student.  Barber is currently going through a messy divorce, where he already needs help to cover his costs.

So- as a fan, does it matter to you that Tiki is coming back for more money and not the love of the game (assuming that is what he’s coming back for?)  We saw what happened when Mike Tyson tried to do that (he embarrassed himself).  And can you see any team wanting to take a risk on the 36-year old running back (who’d be the oldest running back in football), especially one who’s been out of the league for four years?

I wish him luck, but honestly, I just can’t see him drawing a ton of interest from any team besides the Bucs, who’d use him as a complement to LeGarrette Blount and Earnest Graham.  Tiki would also get to team up with his brother Ronde, as the Bucs may do right by one of their franchise cornerstones by helping out his brother when in need.