Is Tiki Barber a hall of famer???

probably needed two more years of peak production. Thankfully he retired when he did.

He had several great years, but he also had some significant fumbling problems for the majority of his career. He only has about three years where he was a top running and had good ball control.

In comment 12325413 Danny Kanell said:

Quote:

haha this pic will never get old

Regards the OP...No, imo

I believe leaving when he did and the Giants winning the following year has ruined people's view of him and I'm talking other people not just giants fans. He was a great great player. He had more than a few good years. He had about 5 straight amazing years

Nope and he only has himself to blame. He walked away from the game at his peak. He could have been excellent-very productive for another 2-3 years and probably even had a role for another couple years beyond that as a 3rd down back. If he had stuck around that long, I don't think there's any question that he would have been.

Sucks that the perception of him is what it is now because for a few years, Tiki was a ridiculously good RB.

but IMO he didn't do it long enough and hasn't compiled enough numbers for HOF.

He had a few season there where he was about as good as anyone though.

In comment 12325440 arcarsenal said:

Quote:

Nope and he only has himself to blame. He walked away from the game at his peak. He could have been excellent-very productive for another 2-3 years and probably even had a role for another couple years beyond that as a 3rd down back. If he had stuck around that long, I don't think there's any question that he would have been.

This.

almost but no cigar

no way

needed two more years like his last two and he would have had it. i don't even think it's close. I think that is Giants fandom thinking otherwise.

the voters are going to see the dying breed of great RBs. Outside of Peterson, there are 0 HOF RBs in football right now. I love me some beastmode but he isn't close yet.

I think Tiki will continue to look better and better as the years go on.

If Bettis and Martin are in, Tiki should be as well. Those 2 were more consistent but Tiki was worlds better than either of those two when comparing them at their best.

.

not that he will get the chance.

and he'd be a lock.

I think he was a better player than Bettis.

What hurts him is the longetivity.

Those of you saying that he's "not even in the conversation"... you have to be fucking kidding me. He has put together some of the greatest RB seasons ever.

People need to stop minimizing his accomplishments because you're butthurt about something he said 8 years ago about Eli.

He's easily the best Giants RB of all time (at least in the SB era), and he was one of the premier offensive weapons after for a short amount of time (I'd say 01-06).

13th alltime in all-purpose yards. Had some of his prime years wasted splitting time with the worthless Ron Dayne. You can say he shouldn't make it, but he absolutely is in the conversation.

In comment 12325412 arniefez said:

Quote:

probably needed two more years of peak production. Thankfully he retired when he did.

Huh? Because we sure don't want any more career NYG's in the HOF??

I guess nygnyg and I agree that it would have taken a couple more years, it's just that IMO, that actually puts him in the conversation.

where Tiki was basically the only offensive production we had. I'll always appreciate Tiki for what he gave us offensively.

who aren't as deserving as Tiki IMO...but as other posted, IMO he was a year or two short

It's a shame he doesn't have Super Bowl heroics on his resume, and that he often acted like a wanker after he retired.

Then Tiki absolutely belongs. Davis ran behind an all-time great OL, played in an offense that turned virtually anyone (Mike Anderson, Olandis Gary, Reuben Droughns) into a thousand yard back, and was never much of a receiver out of the backfield.

May not deserve the hall of fame, however without a doubt he is one of the greatest Giants ever. He left the game and Tom on his terms not many players can say that and very few were at the prime of their careers. He had no SB rings and missed the magical 12 thousand yards rushing number which is a sure bet inductee stat. He is the last player to bring the fans out of their seats much like OBJ did last year for several years enough said. So no matter what is said or written about him he played only for the NYG and he was a star while doing so to me what more can you ask of a player.

is that we never won the SB with him here, but won it twice in the 5 years after he retired.

I'll never fault the guy walking away on his terms - considering the track record of smallish RBs in their early 30s, but he didn't quite do enough to punch his ticket to Canton.

In comment 12325516 BlackLight said:

Quote:

is that we never won the SB with him here, but won it twice in the 5 years after he retired. I'll never fault the guy walking away on his terms - considering the track record of smallish RBs in their early 30s, but he didn't quite do enough to punch his ticket to Canton.

I don't know if the Giants winning after he retired hurts him too much, but it definitely hurts him that he doesn't have any rings or legendary moments.

Take Joe Namath, Bob Griese, Lynn Swann - Tiki is more deserving than any of them from a total production perspective, but they each won the big one and/or had all time classic moments in NFL history.

Terrell Davis is a good comparison - Tiki deserves it more than Davis IMO, but Davis got to perform well during 2 Super Bowl wins, so the average fan (and probably a lot of voters) may view TD more favorably

If you look at the RBs of his era, there were more dominant RBs who won't make the HOF. His numbers are very similar to Warrick Dunns, who no one would ever mention as a potential HOF.
Like everyone said, if he wanted to be a HOF player, he should have stayed another year or probally two. Good for him though that he quit when his desire to play was ebbing and he was healthy. There is a lot to be said for that, most players hang on too long and either embarrass themselves or get hurt.

Hating and discrediting Tiki barber. When he was playing, you loved Tiki. He made a comment which rubbed everyone the wrong way but that shouldn't wipe out everything he did. That is like being the best husband in the world but then forget to get a birthday card for your wife and she NEVER forgives you for it. All of that other good stuff you done forgotten. Now she just looks at you like an asshole because of 1 thing you did wrong. GET OVER IT!!!.

Tiki could make the HOF. but it could take a few years.

In comment 12325447 Curtis in VA said:

Quote:

In comment 12325440 arcarsenal said: Quote: Nope and he only has himself to blame. He walked away from the game at his peak. He could have been excellent-very productive for another 2-3 years and probably even had a role for another couple years beyond that as a 3rd down back. If he had stuck around that long, I don't think there's any question that he would have been. This.

Yep, and he'd also have a SB victory or two under his belt. Now, he's got nothing but a huge SB failure.

In comment 12325553 Moondawg said:

Quote:

In comment 12325447 Curtis in VA said: Quote: In comment 12325440 arcarsenal said: Quote: Nope and he only has himself to blame. He walked away from the game at his peak. He could have been excellent-very productive for another 2-3 years and probably even had a role for another couple years beyond that as a 3rd down back. If he had stuck around that long, I don't think there's any question that he would have been. This. Yep, and he'd also have a SB victory or two under his belt. Now, he's got nothing but a huge SB failure.

or, what mfsd said.

In comment 12325546 weeg in the bronx said:

Quote:

If you look at the RBs of his era, there were more dominant RBs who won't make the HOF. His numbers are very similar to Warrick Dunns, who no one would ever mention as a potential HOF. Like everyone said, if he wanted to be a HOF player, he should have stayed another year or probally two. Good for him though that he quit when his desire to play was ebbing and he was healthy. There is a lot to be said for that, most players hang on too long and either embarrass themselves or get hurt.

Do you honestly believe that Tiki and Warrick Dunn have similar arguments for the HOF?

was probably the Giant's all-time best RB. I think a case against him for the HOF is that he needed maybe 2 more great years. Had he stuck it out through the 2008 season, he'd have a Superbowl ring and maybe a HOF entry too.

Pretty much eliminating his fumble issues and his ability to break through tackles in a tight squeeze, his pass catching skills were formidable. One year, Tiki alone counted for 55% of the Giants total offense.

list the more dominant RBs from his era that won't make the HOF.

- 3rd in YPC for guys over 10K (Barry Sanders & Jim Brown)
- Most yards from scrimmage over 7 year period in NFL history
- second most yards from scrimmage in a single season (Marshall Faulk)
- 2nd most games 200+ rushing yards (OJ Simpson)
- 1 of 3 players with 10K rushing & 5K receiving (Faulk & Marcus Allen)

early given the incredible long-term damage we see these players suffer.

His TD numbers are low because Coughlin liked to give it to the bruisers, but he is definitely in the conversation.

If people focused as much on running backs' total production instead of rushing yards, he would have a lot more support for the Hall.

9 are in the HOF, and the other two will be soon (Terrell Owens and LaDainian Tomlinson).

In comment 12325564 shockeyisthebest8056 said:

Quote:

- 3rd in YPC for guys over 10K (Barry Sanders & Jim Brown) - Most yards from scrimmage over 7 year period in NFL history - second most yards from scrimmage in a single season (Marshall Faulk) - 2nd most games 200+ rushing yards (OJ Simpson) - 1 of 3 players with 10K rushing & 5K receiving (Faulk & Marcus Allen)

yes and all that would be great fodder if he played two more years to boost his stats overall. those are all great points and why this thread even exists. he chose to retire early and with that decision he forgo the hall whether he thought about it or not.

if he put two or three years of doing what he was doing, it would be an absolute lock, no question. but he didn't.

and also he's a jerkoff.

coulda been a contender!

but look at the last frew backs to get in. Bettis had about 3,000 more yards and 20 more touchdowns. Curtis Martin had about 4,000 more yards and 20 more touchdowns. Faulk also had better numbers.

Tiki was one of the best running backs in the game for 3 seasons, and he literally carried the 2006 Giants into the playoffs with an amazing 3 TD, 200+ yard game against Washington in Week 17.

If he stayed another season or two his numbers would be closer to the three I mentioned, though he was getting close to 30 so who knows.


In closing. I'm not sure its enough, maybe he gets in during a weak year. He's definitely an all time great Giant and as another mentioned the best Giants RB ever.
Carried us into the playoffs in his last game - ( New Window )

No. Great receiving back. I think that his booming success in the latter part of his career was the underrated (in terms to Tikis blowout 04-06 seasons) of Snee, Diehl, McKenzie, O'Hara along those years.

with his typical production and got a ring with the '07 Giants he would have had a great case for the HOF.

He needed at least 2 more years

who probably won't get in.

In comment 12325629 Route 9 in LEH said:

Quote:

No. Great receiving back. I think that his booming success in the latter part of his career was the underrated (in terms to Tikis blowout 04-06 seasons) of Snee, Diehl, McKenzie, O'Hara along those years.

O'Hara was a Brown in '04 and never really became an elite C in 2008. Maybe 2007.

Snee and McKenzie's arrivals were big gets, though.

That's why Davis will get in and Tiki won't. That's why Lynn Swann & John Stallworth are in and Drew Pearson isn't.

There are a lot of guys who if they played a few more years at the highest level they played, would make the HOF. Not a knock on Tiki but he didn't do it at that level long enough. It's not going to happen

But he left the game too early

Wrong. O'Hara WAS a Giants in 2004.

but no cigar, but he will be discussed which will hopefully get him some more paid appearances and speaking engagements. I think he is generally a douche, but not a totally bad guy. Not a good guy, but his emergence (thanks to the drafting of Ron Dayne) kind of makes you forget about some of the douchie things he did and said.

In comment 12325688 arniefez said:

Quote:

That's why Davis will get in and Tiki won't. That's why Lynn Swann & John Stallworth are in and Drew Pearson isn't.

If only Drew Pearson had won a Super Bowl....

Tiki is very close, as there are less deserving backs in the HOF...Bettis, for one.

His numbers suggest he should be there.

He's a douche, but that never stopped anyone from getting into the HOF.

is not one way or the other. I really don't know. I don't think a ring should be as big a factor, but retiring when he did one certainly would have helped his cause. If he played 2 more years at similar production, he would be a lock. But, there is no guarantee that level of production would have continued. He retired when most back begin to decline rapidly.

I also don't think it's fair to blame his early years on his not getting in. He was not ready to be a full time back when he entered the league. And, who's to say that those reduced carries early on are not the very reason he was able to be ultra-productive his last few years?

Whoever equated no ring with no legendary moments is off. He had some games and moments for the ages, including playoff games or games to get them there. He is easily the greatest RB in the Giants history, which is saying a lot given their long and strong history.

He also had four really good years under Fassel, but he fumbled 35 times in those four years. His yardage numbers for that period are good, but I really think his fumbles are a major mark against him.

can definitely make a strong case for him. That said, Bettis has a ring (which definitely helps) & is loved by the fans/ media, while Barber is scorned by the Giant fans & most of the general press.

He was a HOF caliber player once he hit his prime, but the lack of longevity is a hurdle. Not only did he not win a ring, but the Giants won it all as soon as he retired and began to take the internal negativity towards Coughlin away.

and waited an eternity to get in the HOF.
By comparison Tiki made 3 Pro Bowls.
Tiki belongs in the Hall of the Very Good.

In comment 12325986 PEEJ said:

Quote:

and waited an eternity to get in the HOF. By comparison Tiki made 3 Pro Bowls. Tiki belongs in the Hall of the Very Good.

Spot on

but not today.

for those saying if Terrell Davis gets in, so should Tiki, remember one thing, TD has two SB rings, Tiki has zip..That could be a big factor as to why, down the road, it's yes for TD and no for Tiki..

four seasons won't cut it, as good as he was, he lacks the love that Sayers had in his day to gain election.

I'd agree Tiki's numbers get him in 20+ years ago. Bettis' election muddies the waters a bit as I'd say Tiki was the superior player with similar numbers, but Bettis was somewhat a popular vote election.

a very good football player,
and a shitty person.

But I don't think he's a Hall of Famer. At least, not on the surface. A few more peak years would've done it.

Not to mention, the Tiki (formerly Ewing) Theory playing out hurts him a LOT.

In comment 12326034 Big Blue '56 said:

Quote:

for those saying if Terrell Davis gets in, so should Tiki, remember one thing, TD has two SB rings, Tiki has zip..That could be a big factor as to why, down the road, it's yes for TD and no for Tiki..

Switch the two players and does anything change for the Broncos? Nope, which is why it's an asinine line of argument.

then he absolutely isn't a Hall of Famer.

He was an outstanding running back. My gosh, how many times did we yell out "Tiki!" during his career? He produced 200 yard games in huge spots like no other Giant running back ever. He came through for us so many times. But this is what spoiled it:

He retired simply to cash in on a TV contract. He could have played a few more years and still had that TV contract waiting for him. Then his first move was to talk shit about the Giants. He chose to sell out. He CHOSE to try to cash in and catapult his TV analyst career by talking shit about the team and Eli. Only problem for him was that he had no talent as a TV analyst. And he had no charisma. He came across as an insincere phony.

He could have helped the team for a few more years and I am sure The Giants would have still won the Super Bowl with him. But Tiki chose to sell out everything good he did for the Giants for the big TV payday. So I have no problem with fans who choose to not forget that

He was an outstanding running back. My gosh, how many times did we yell out "Tiki!" during his career? He produced 200 yard games in huge spots like no other Giant running back ever. He came through for us so many times. But this is what spoiled it:

He retired simply to cash in on a TV contract. He could have played a few more years and still had that TV contract waiting for him. Then his first move was to talk shit about the Giants. He chose to sell out. He CHOSE to try to cash in and catapult his TV analyst career by talking shit about the team and Eli. Only problem for him was that he had no talent as a TV analyst. And he had no charisma. He came across as an insincere phony.

He could have helped the team for a few more years and I am sure The Giants would have still won the Super Bowl with him. But Tiki chose to sell out everything good he did for the Giants for the big TV payday. So I have no problem with fans who choose to not forget that

In comment 12325550 ANGPASS said:

Quote:

Hating and discrediting Tiki barber. When he was playing, you loved Tiki. He made a comment which rubbed everyone the wrong way but that shouldn't wipe out everything he did. That is like being the best husband in the world but then forget to get a birthday card for your wife and she NEVER forgives you for it. All of that other good stuff you done forgotten. Now she just looks at you like an asshole because of 1 thing you did wrong. GET OVER IT!!!. Tiki could make the HOF. but it could take a few years.

You know my wife?

no, he's not. Not yet anyway.

his numbers are marginally HOF, but his role in the locker room (he was constantly publicly feuding with Strahan, I think I recall he didn't much like Coughlin, and his willingness to throw the team under the bus post retirement leads me to believe he probably wasn't much of a team builder while playing), the rancor surrounding his leaving (c'mon, plenty of players are known to be in the last year of a career, few created such animosity in doing so) absolute lack of any TV charisma, and the fiasco of leaving his wife (pregnant or with newborns) for an intern, all combine to create a memory that clouds what he did on the field.

HOF votes aren't always about on field performance, and Tiki is sunk if his chances need a nudge from fence sitters.

Just throwing some names out there...would Fred Taylor get in? What about Eddie George? Edgerrin James? Over tiki? Frank Gore? Corey Dillion? (Both he and Tiki played the same amount of years, 1997-2006) ...

Dillion a lot more rushing TDs (82-55) and he's nit in...

In comment 12325986 PEEJ said:

Quote:

and waited an eternity to get in the HOF. By comparison Tiki made 3 Pro Bowls. Tiki belongs in the Hall of the Very Good.

Tiki once didn't make the Pro Bowl despite leading the NFC in yards from scrimmage by over 200 yards. I wouldn't judge a player by Pro Bowls, which we all know are more reputation based than actual performance based.

my immediate answer is no bc I cant stand Tiki and I wish he was signed a few years ago, made the Jets and played so bad that they cut him after a week. Thats just me though.

As a player, Barber played pretty incredibly once he stopped fumbling at a ridiculour rate. from 200-2003 Barber fumbled the ball 35 times..... 2004-2006 though just 9 times. He totaled 10,449 rushing yards and and had 15,632 yards from scrimmage. He caught 586 balls for 5,183 yards which is 2nd all time receptions for a Giant and 3rd all time receiving yards for a Giant. He had only 2 seasons (out of 10) where he didnt have 50 receptions out of the backfield and one of the 2 years he didnt reach 50 he had 42. He was a true workhorse and led many Giant teams.He is 25th all time on the rushing list but 12th on yards from scrimmage. 13th for all purpose yards. He is on the fence statistically and an argument can definitely be made for it but I don't think he will make it in, When I think of Tiki Barber I dont thnk of an all-time player. Maybe that view has been skewed by he actions and comments after retirement or his play in SB XXXV where he was visually terrified.

I say no. But I'm a Tiki hater so don't take my word for it.

no way Tiki was on a par with perennial pro bowlers like Carson, LT, Strahan...

In comment 12326586 BlueLou said:

Quote:

In comment 12325550 ANGPASS said: Quote: Hating and discrediting Tiki barber. When he was playing, you loved Tiki. He made a comment which rubbed everyone the wrong way but that shouldn't wipe out everything he did. That is like being the best husband in the world but then forget to get a birthday card for your wife and she NEVER forgives you for it. All of that other good stuff you done forgotten. Now she just looks at you like an asshole because of 1 thing you did wrong. GET OVER IT!!!. Tiki could make the HOF. but it could take a few years. You know my wife?

LMAO that was great

Tiki was a great Giant. Even one more year at peak performance gets him in.
Tiki's Greatest Hits - ( New Window )

Peak Tiki was something. I remember the Chiefs game and that stadium was pandemonium on the one long run. Just deafening.

In comment 12325469 Osi Osi Osi OyOyOy said:

Quote:

the voters are going to see the dying breed of great RBs. Outside of Peterson, there are 0 HOF RBs in football right now. I love me some beastmode but he isn't close yet. I think Tiki will continue to look better and better as the years go on. If Bettis and Martin are in, Tiki should be as well. Those 2 were more consistent but Tiki was worlds better than either of those two when comparing them at their best.

Lynch has had an even shorter "prime" than Tiki (so far). The one thing in his advantage though is TDs. He should crack the top 20 next season and potentially the top 10 all time before he's done.

No other "locks" right now aside from AP, but some guys that could get there with another 2-3 seasons of good health: Forte, McCoy, and Charles. Another 4500+ yds from scrimmage for Forte puts him borderline top 10 all time, but RBs go downhill quickly so you never know...

Those are the only RBs in NFL history with more rushing yards and a better rushing average than Tiki. Peterson will pass him this season. Even more astounding is that Tiki's greatest weapon was his versatility as a rushing and receiving back.

12th in NFL history in yards from scrimmage.