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...THAT'S criticism??? I suppose maybe if his tone of voice was snarky or something, but it just sounds like a basic statement.

Since when was it not ok to change careers, or God forbid...retire and count your money?
Check yourself, Eli

Eli better be careful how he tries to assert himself as a leader in Barber's absence. He may do more damage than good.

Eli needs to worry about completing a 20-yard pass...LMAO! Tiki established himself as one of the best in the game so he didn't feel the need to continue.

give Eli a little credit I think here.... Tiki was wrong to let his retirement plans become public... I like that he said that about players wanting to be there... and not just for this season...

I liked Tiki.... but it's like he 'used' football to change careers... like you would 'use' a person to get what you want - with no concern for that person, or in this case, the Giants as a team...

it's like he ran scared from the league.....

Eli, you got some growing up to do.

I dunno bout that Fonzie. 10 years is an awful long time to 'use' something for your own gain. It's not like he didnt contribute or anything. I think maybe he was pretty smart. He's rich now, still has most of his brain cells intact, and can walk without crutches.

Is this really a story? Did Eli say anything out of line? Or is it just horrible painfully slow in sports?

chaz - it's just horribly slow for the NFL...

It's like watching a live newscast, and then watching all the stations give their different versions of what the guy just said.

I don't think that this is taking a shot at him at all. Eli said what was the truth. Tiki didn't want to come back and play, and that's why he retired. No one should be offended in any way here.

Grow up Eli, you are not the leader Tiki was or that your brother is!

Chaz - I hear ya, but I can respect guys that go out on top... and that is not Tiki... the Giants (with Tiki) really were not far away from making a run... soem fine tuning and they could do it...

Tiki (in my opinion) has unfinished business with the Giants - he played great last year and can still contribute in a big way... he just baled for a TV career - and I question that decision... and I think that Giants fans should feel a bit betrayed by him.... where is his heart and desire? ... in tv land

It's easy to talk about heart and desire from a keyboard.. it's quite a different thing when you have to go through training camp under Tom Coughlin, then play an NFL schedule.. and he's been doing it for 10 years at the position where you arguably take the most punishment.
You guys must not be paying attention to these guys crying about not getting benefits from the league after they retire.. the league is BRUTAL on your body.. Our bodies were not designed to take on the physical punishment that an NFL career entails.. better to get out while you can walk normally, complete a sentence, and still play with your kids. Tiki is a smart man.

I don't like Eli Manning. But, I think this is classic New York media hype. It sounds to me like Eli was just stating facts.

Tiki is a smart dude. He doesn'r have anything to prove to anybody. Maybe he used football, but football uses it's players... that's the nature of the business. Then they leave you washed up and crippled and don't want to pay disability costs. He did the absolute right thing in leaving on his own terms and I hope Eli learnd a thing or two about leadership from him.

Maybe. Consider thant maybe Coughlin is enough of a **** that Tikki just didnt want to work with him anymore. I'm not so sure they were close. Eli is not going to lead them to the Promised L and any time soon.

How is that "taking a shot at Tiki"? I have no problem with what he said, I don't find it remotely offensive. And keep in mind, I think Eli's a tool.

they won't win with Coughlin... but replace him and you might have something... the pieces are there...

I didn't view that as taking a shot at Tiki. He didn't even mention him by name.

That's not a criticism of Tiki. Sounds like the media is trying to stir up some drama on a slow news day. What do you expect Eli to say - "Without Tiki, we are screwed. There's no way we can win without him". No way. Every team is excited about taking the field with the guys that show up to play, including Eli.