For exactly three hours, Tiki Barber and his twin, Ronde, squared off as foes, even getting into at least one jawing match during the Giants’ 17-3 victory over Tampa Bay.
Minutes after the game ended, though, the Buccaneers defensive back jumped back into his brother’s corner. Ronde Barber assailed critics who think Tiki’s public retirement declaration will be a season-long distraction.
“People obviously don’t understand his decision,” Ronde said.
“They made that apparent by saying what they say about him.
“Tiki has no quit in him, there’s no doubt about that. He loves football, he loves the New York Giants.
For whatever reason (ESPN) ran with that story last week and made a big brouhaha. But Tiki is a class guy, man.
“And when guys attack his character, he should get upset. If he didn’t, I think he wouldn’t be true to himself.” Tiki won the battle yesterday, but Ronde could win the war. At least, that’s how the final standings will read (Ronde’s team has beaten Tiki’s 3-2) if the twins don’t play each other again in the playoffs, a longshot since Tampa Bay is 2-5.
Moreover, the Bucs display one of the worst NFL offenses since Babe Laufenberg was throwing wounded ducks for Dallas.
“If it is, good for him, because he got back in the win column against us,” Ronde said. “He’s still down 32.” The Giant running back collected only 68 yards on 26 carries, while Ronde amassed 10 tackles, including three solos. He was in on four tackles on his brother but denied Tiki said anything harsh after a chippy exchange early in the game.
“Tiki doesn’t mouth off,” Ronde said. “Tiki kills you with kindness.
He talks sweet to you and runs around you.” Actually, Tiki told his brother to hit him higher. Ronde quickly complied on a later tackle and asked if that was high enough.
“He said, ‘Yeah, man, that’s good,'” Ronde said with a smile.
Ronde said the Bucs limited his brother by putting eight men in the box, which led to a lot of mantoman assignments for the secondary.
Chatting with Ronde after the game, Tiki commended the Bucs for shutting him down more than other teams have.
Sentimentalists might think yesterday’s brotherly clash was bittersweet, because it was likely the final chapter for the two as competitors.
“Actually, I’m not going to miss it at all,” Ronde said. “Now I don’t have to worry about him. I can worry about myself.”