Thread: Tiki Still Teamless....................

Running back on outside looking in Brad Biggs
Print ThisSend ThisSeptember 05, 2011, 11:06 AM EST
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Perhaps some out there are genuinely surprised 32 NFL teams are cranking it up today with practices in preparation for Kickoff Weekend and Tiki Barber remains on the outside looking in.

After being retired for four seasons, the 36-year-old running back attempted a comeback bid that got him one workout and no job offers from the Miami Dolphins.

Yes, Barber was playing at a high level when he walked away from the game following the 2006 season. It’s been a long time since then and he burned some bridges on his way out. Whether or not some of the details surrounding Barber’s exit affected his bid to find work again, who knows? The guess here is no. If an NFL team thinks a player can play, he gets a chance.

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King reports that Barber’s camp is flabbergasted he hasn’t received an opportunity. Flabbergasted.

“We are flabbergasted that Tiki has not had an opportunity with any team, especially when rosters were at 90 players this year,” Mark Lepselter told King. “I certainly thought some team would be intrigued to see what he had left in the tank.''

Teams get nervous when running backs hit the wrong side of 30. Running backs that are 36 and have been out of the game for four years? There are plenty of young ones to take a chance on.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune