Eli Manning should concentrate on football

Filed in archive on August 23, 2007

Courtesy Giants.com

Giants quarterback Eli Manning is mad at former teammate Tiki Barber.

Barber, who retired at the end of last season to pursue a TV career as an NFL analyst, criticized Manning's leadership abilities, during a broadcast last week.

Manning could have and should have ignored the commentary.

Sure, it was a cheap shot by Barber, who was likely making a weak attempt at being objective by attacking a former teammate, but Manning should be used to it.

After all, Peyton's younger brother has given NFL pundits plenty of room to criticize him. He's been decent at best, with a career quarterback rating of 73 and 35 interceptions in two full seasons.

Quarterbacks are under the microscope. Being criticized is part of the job.

Even though Barber took a cheap shot, Manning needs to shut up and concentrate on being better. This could be a make-or-break season for the fourth-year passer. He's got solid talent around him, and his coach is on the hot seat.

eli manning needs a big year.

Then, Tiki Barber needs to recant.