King: Tiki Barber could be headed for Pittsburgh

[SteelerEmpire]

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/tikigetty-e1308568795103.jpg?w=250

Posted by Mike Florio on June 20, 2011, 7:20 AM EDT

So with running back Tiki Barber making a comeback after four years out of the game and at the ripe old age (by running back standards) of 36, no one will be interested, right?

Maybe not. Peter King of Sports Illustrated speculates — but also seems to know more than he’s letting on — that Barber will be given a shot with the Steelers.

LINK: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/06/20/tiki-barber-could-be-headed-for-pittsburgh/related/

[SteelerSal]

What the heck is King smoking?? Don't want or need Barber.

[fansince'76]

Camp body. Maybe.

[Texasteel]

Camp body. Maybe.

Give both him and Bush a baseball bat, and the winner gets a tryout. Seems like King always has somebody coming to the Steelers.

[Devilsdancefloor]

Give both him and Bush a baseball bat, and the winner gets a tryout. Seems like King always has somebody coming to the Steelers.

which one would look the best in sweats? i hope he is a camp body if anything we dont need him

[kmsteelerwr15]

I, like everyone else, do not see this happening.

[suitanim]

There is really no harm if it does happen. The worst that could happen is that he actually has something left and makes the team...

[Psycho Ward 86]

Remember when NBC reported that Bruce Arians got fired.

Yeah...me too...

[venom]

I hope he does come to Pittsburgh , the airport I mean -to jump on another flight to parts uknown

[HometownGal]

Remember when NBC reported that Bruce Arians got fired.

Yeah...me too...

Our own media in Pittsburgh reported that fabrication too. :doh:

Re: Tiki coming to Pittsburgh. NO THANK YOU.

[steelerdude15]

I highly doubt this.

[tube517]

Tiki wiki wiki wiki....shutup.

[zulater]

There is really no harm if it does happen. The worst that could happen is that he actually has something left and makes the team...

Agreed.

[86WARD]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO 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NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO 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Thank You for listening.

[86WARD]

I'd rather have Willie Parker before I signed Tiki. The Steelers backfield is fine. If they want a veteran, go out and get Reggie Bush. He would be ridiculous in the Steelers offense. RIDICULOUS! Mendenhall is the primary, Redman is the 3rd Down guy and he showed he can handle it. Would you like a veteran back up? Sure but Mendy, Redman, Dwyer and Batch will be able to handle the load. If you really want a veteran, re-sign Moore, but not as the 3rd down guy. He hurt the team at that position more than he helped. Moore would be better suited as a primary back (behind Mendenhall) than a 3rd down guy.

[steeldawg]

If he can play like he was playing when he left i say give him a shot. As far as reggie bush no way we get him too much money, but would love too have him.

[SteelGhost]

Ohhh the offseason "news" ....:yawn:

[Nadroj 20]

I for one see no harm in bringing him into training camp to see if he can make the team. If he does great, hopefully he can help and if he doesn't not much harm done.

Its not like we would be bringing him in to be the starter....and I would think he would be cheaper then Bush.

[Godfather]

Maybe they're bringing him in so Mendy looks like less of an assclown.

[memphissteelergirl]

Wow.Just.Wow.

[Austin87]

Um...no thank you. I actually don't think any team will give Tiki a chance, least of all the Steelers. I mean really, the guy is a 36 old running back who has been out of the league for 4 years.

[stillers4me]

Um...no thank you. I actually don't think any team will give Tiki a chance, least of all the Steelers. I mean really, the guy is a 36 old running back who has been out of the league for 4 years.

This.

[zulater]

Um...no thank you. I actually don't think any team will give Tiki a chance, least of all the Steelers. I mean really, the guy is a 36 old running back who has been out of the league for 4 years.

So what are you going to say when someone does, particuarly if that someone is the Steelers? I really don't think Peter King is making things up. I'm not saying it's a certainty that he'll sign with the Steelers, but I think it's true that it's being considered strongly by Tomlin at the moment. I certainly can see where Tiki could be brought in to pose competition for Mewelde Moore.

I think the strongest paralell to this situation is Ricky Williams who left the game for a couple years due to "personal habits". He's come back strong in his second incarnation in Miami, so I think there is some precedent here for potential success.

So as for me I'm going to just wait and see where things go and not paint myself in a corner where I'd have to backtrack and retract if things don't go as I expect.

[SteelerSal]

So what are you going to say when someone does, particuarly if that someone is the Steelers? I really don't think Peter King is making things up. I'm not saying it's a certainty that he'll sign with the Steelers, but I think it's true that it's being considered strongly by Tomlin at the moment. I certainly can see where Tiki could be brought in to pose competition for Mewelde Moore.

I think the strongest paralell to this situation is Ricky Williams who left the game for a couple years due to "personal habits". He's come back strong in his second incarnation in Miami, so I think there is some precedent here for potential success.

So as for me I'm going to just wait and see where things go and not paint myself in a corner where I'd have to backtrack and retract if things don't go as I expect.

Why waste a roster spot in camp with an old player that has not played in years......rather give Batch a shot at unseating Moore..
Ricky Williams stayed in shape and played in Canada before his return to the NFL.

[zulater]

Why waste a roster spot in camp with an old player that has not played in years......rather give Batch a shot at unseating Moore..
Ricky Williams stayed in shape and played in Canada before his return to the NFL.


Sal it's not my decision to make, it's Tomlin's, and if Tomlin makes the decision to bring Tiki into camp why not give him the benifit of the doubt long enough to see how things play out? If it gets to that I could see Tiki walking away in the first week after he comes to the realization that he just doesn't have it anymore, or I could just as easily see him coming into camp in great shape and making a strong run at a roster spot. Who knows really?

I guess my overall point, is that I tend to believe there's at least something to the rumor, I don't think Peter King is making it up out of thin air for shit's and giggles. And until such time as that's it's determined Tiki wont be a Steeler I'll keep myslef open to the possibilty and trust that the Steelers will as usual do what's best for them.

In other words I don't want to be the guy taking a bunch of stuff back in two months if it comes to fruition and actually works. :chuckle:

[Burghfan58]

Maybe they're bringing him in so Mendy looks like less of an assclown.

That got me an early morning laugh!

[SteelerSal]

Sal it's not my decision to make, it's Tomlin's, and if Tomlin makes the decision to bring Tiki into camp why not give him the benifit of the doubt long enough to see how things play out? If it gets to that I could see Tiki walking away in the first week after he comes to the realization that he just doesn't have it anymore, or I could just as easily see him coming into camp in great shape and making a strong run at a roster spot. Who knows really?

I guess my overall point, is that I tend to believe there's at least something to the rumor, I don't think Peter King is making it up out of thin air for shit's and giggles. And until such time as that's it's determined Tiki wont be a Steeler I'll keep myslef open to the possibilty and trust that the Steelers will as usual do what's best for them.

In other words I don't want to be the guy taking a bunch of stuff back in two months if it comes to fruition and actually works. :chuckle:

I know it's not your decision...we are all giving our opinions on whether Barber should come back, is all. Besides if you were the one making the decision...you would be on the shit list right above Arians... :lol:

[st33lersguy]

We don't need a Duce Staley sweatpants back

[zulater]

We don't need a Duce Staley sweatpants back

Duce Staley had a lot to do with the Steelers strong start in 2004, and played well in several games when called upon in 2005, games that if had been lost would have precluded the Steelers from any thought of Super Bowl XL.

[zulater]

I know it's not your decision...we are all giving our opinions on whether Barber should come back, is all. Besides if you were the one making the decision...you would be on the shit list right above Arians... :lol:



What are you talking about? Arians is a freaking rock star, or at least on this site he is. :chuckle:

[86WARD]

Duce was actually a good locker room guy. He's got a good football head too.

Tiki would be a wasted roster spot. Totally wasted roster spot and he's no where near the back when he left. The only thing he might be good for is helping Mendenhall with his fumbling problems and that's pretty much it.

[The Duke]

Duce was actually a good locker room guy. He's got a good football head too.

Tiki would be a wasted roster spot. Totally wasted roster spot and he's no where near the back when he left. The only thing he might be good for is helping Mendenhall with his fumbling problems and that's pretty much it.

agree

Bring him in as an assistant running backs coach. He needs money anyway, and there's money in that

[SteelerSal]

Originally Posted by 86WARD
Duce was actually a good locker room guy. He's got a good football head too.

Tiki would be a wasted roster spot. Totally wasted roster spot and he's no where near the back when he left. The only thing he might be good for is helping Mendenhall with his fumbling problems and that's pretty much it.



agree

Bring him in as an assistant running backs coach. He needs money anyway, and there's money in that



Heck..I need money to..they can hire me to tell Mendy to hold onto the ball.

[suitanim]

I'm not sure why people are getting so upset about this. Training camp is littered with guys who have NO chance of making an NFL roster, and they truly are camp bodies, just fodder and tackling dummies. At least Tiki knows how to play the game. If his body is up to the task, and he still has some speed left, what difference does it make if we give him a shot? As I said before, the very worst that could happen is he can still bring it a little and makes the roster, and the only way he does that is if he earns it.

[Nadroj 20]

Why waste a roster spot in camp with an old player that has not played in years......rather give Batch a shot at unseating Moore..
Ricky Williams stayed in shape and played in Canada before his return to the NFL.

Batch is an unproven rookie and Tiki has been out of the league awhile and is old. They both have their negatives, but Tiki at least has experience and could help the team because of that. Also Batch is a 7th round draft choice HE may not even make the gameday roster. Training camp is a time to explore and see who can benefit the team, whos to say Tiki can't come in and be our 3rd back? Whos to say he has no chance at all? We just do not know and the only way to truly know in my opinion? Give the guy a chance.

I agree with Zu, im going to wait and see and whatever happens, happens. I do not think it'll be horrible if we give the guy a chance. In the end I trust the Steelers to make the correct choice and until I see otherwise I'll back their choice.

[Nadroj 20]

I'm not sure why people are getting so upset about this. Training camp is littered with guys who have NO chance of making an NFL roster, and they truly are camp bodies, just fodder and tackling dummies. At least Tiki knows how to play the game. If his body is up to the task, and he still has some speed left, what difference does it make if we give him a shot? As I said before, the very worst that could happen is he can still bring it a little and makes the roster, and the only way he does that is if he earns it.

Exactly. Nothing would be given to him at all. Just because he is a vet and has had success in the past doesn't mean anything. He would have to EARN his spot and I don't see why its a bad idea.

[Butch]

For me Tiki would be a horrible pickup. He has personal issues and that's not the kind of guy the Steelers go after.

Yes we have some players on our team who have also had some issues but my point is you don't go out of your way to bring these types of players in to your team's locker room.

I didn't care for the way he left the giants and in my book he is the Anti-Hines Ward!!!

I do understand the him coming in to teach mendy how to hang on to the ball but he doesn't strike me as someone who would be vested in doing something like that. I could be wrong but that's just my feelings on it.

[JayC]

barber > moore

[86WARD]

barber > moore

No.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I can definately see this happening. Tomlin coached Ronde and knows Tiki well. Its not like Barber would take away carries from young emerging stars like Redman, Dwyer, Batch.

I heard Barber's agent on Jim Rome this week and he said that when Tiki said he was coming back, one NFL official with interest in signing Tiki told him....."tell your boy to get in the gym and let's get ready to do this thing". I can somehow see Tomlin reacting that way.

No harm in him coming to camp and competing for a roster spot.