They’re talking sports going at it as hard as they can!
Joe Benigno called in for his Monday spot on WFAN’s afternoon drive show with Tiki Barber and Evan Roberts, and Benigno was about as done as done could be with Zach Wilson.
Barber wasn’t painting Wilson as a star performer, but he suggested Jets fans take a page out of the playbook of Philadelphia fans, who gave Trea Turner a standing ovation amid a deep slump — a move that seemingly propelled him to go on a hot streak and reminded everyone of why the team gave him a $300 million contract.
Benigno dismissed the idea, saying that no one wants Wilson to play better than the fans do, and that the MetLife Stadium crowd cheered him at every opportunity during Sunday’s 15-10 loss to the Patriots in which Wilson threw for a paltry 4.4 yards per attempt.
Eventually in the segment, it became a debate as to whether the Jets would be better off with Mike White — last year’s backup, who is now on the Dolphins — than Wilson.
Barber said White has never proven he could stay healthy, and Benigno countered that Wilson is in his third year and will never be any good.
“Tiki, let me tell you right now. You hate the Jets. You would love to see the Jets go 2-15,” Benigno said.
“Stop it. You’re a Giant. If this was a situation with the Giants you’d be screaming to get Wilson the hell out of there. So don’t give me this nonsense.”
Barber said that he never screams, because he watches and analyzes the games.
“OK, you can analyze all you want but yesterday you were in Washington with the Commanders and the Bills, were you not?” Benigno asked, referring to Barber’s CBS Sports color commentating responsibilities.”So don’t give me this nonsense how you’re analyzing Zach Wilson. I don’t want to hear it. It’s BS! He stinks!”
“OK, I’m turning my mic off,” Barber said, and proceeded to take his earphones out
Before leaving, he could be heard saying, “This is bulls–t,” before walking off set.
Benigno clarified that he’s not “annoyed with Tiki” but with “the whole freaking situation” with the Jets, as Roberts emphasized that Barber does watch every Jets game and doesn’t hate the team.
“I apologize to Tiki but I am ticked off at this franchise. I don’t mean to take it out on him. But I’ve had enough. How much longer do we have to watch this guy?” Benigno griped.
Barber returned for the next segment and later joked about the tiff with Benigno, and said the two were good.