Tiki Barber famously called out Eli Manning for a lack of leadership six years ago, then had to eat his words just six months later when Manning led the Giants to a Super Bowl victory.
Now it’s Manning’s inconsistency and alleged lack of confidence that is bugging the former Giants running back.
Barber told WFAN on Thursday Manning’s dreadful 2013 season — the quarterback has thrown an NFL-high 26 interceptions — is a mental issue.
“He’s done great things, but he doesn’t do it consistently,” Barber said. “What makes someone great in the history, in the annals of an organization or a league? It’s consistency. The problem with Eli, as of late, I think, is there’s something physically off. There’s definitely a confidence issue.”
Barber, however, blamed the Giants’ injury-ravaged, under-performing offensive line for Manning’s skittishness and lack of production this year despite a career that includes three Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl MVP trophies.
“It has everything to do with those five guys [on the line] — and really it’s been eight over the course of this year — in front of him that just can’t get it done,” Barber said. “He’s constantly throwing off his back foot. I feel like he’s pressing sometimes to make some throws and they end up sailing on him.
“It’s because of confidence,” Barber added, “and I think because he’s gotten the crap beat out of him.”
Barber, though, doesn’t think the issues are permanent for Manning.
“I’ve counted Eli out before and I’ve been wrong,” he said. “Here’s what I know about him. He has a drive, and maybe it’s a Manning thing. … Is it still open for him to have great success in the next three or four years? I think it is.”
Offensive lineman David Diehl, the longest-tenured Giant in his 11th season with the team, has been plagued by injuries and looks like he will be playing his final game with the team on Sunday.
Diehl didn’t want to talk about that prospect Thursday, though.
“Obviously, there’s a little bit of thinking about that stuff,” he said. “But most importantly, I’m thinking about practicing and approaching this game like a professional and closing out this season with a victory.”
Pro Bowl rosters will be announced Friday, and Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said his “gut feeling” is defensive end Justin Tuck and safety Antre Rolle should make it from his unit.
“Right off the top of my head, those two guys are deserving,” Fewell said.
Wide receiver Rueben Randle experienced swelling in his knee Wednesday and did not practice Thursday, but he insisted afterward he would play in Sunday’s season finale against the Redskins.