Jan 29, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL former running back Tiki Barber is interviewed on radio row in preparation for Super Bowl XLVIII at the Sheraton Times Square. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
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(New York, NY) – Tiki Barber may be best known for his days playing running back with the New York Giants, but it’s the Jets that appear to be getting under his skin these days.
Or more accurately, one of the Jets biggest fans is annoying the heck out of Barber. And on Monday during his radio show, that frustration reached a boiling point.
Co-hosting alongside Evan Roberts on WFAN, former station host and now part time contributor Joe Benigno called in to conduct the latest Jets post mortem. After yet another loss to the New England Patriots, Benigno was in a foul mood. He blasted the performance of starting QB Zach Wilson, who’s largely failed to provide an adequate level of play, after Aaron Rodgers was lost to an Achilles tendon injury just moments into his Jets career.
Benigno was responding after Barber suggested Wilson just needs a little encouragement. Making a comparison to this summer’s slump from Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, and the fact he turned his season around after fans gave him a standing ovation, Barber thought Wilson might benefit from a similar move. Benigno wasn’t having it, and said fans have been plenty supportive – when given the opportunity to cheer anything.
At some point, the back and forth centered on former Jets backup Mike White – who’s now handling the number two QB duties in Miami. Benigno was arguing White would have been a better option than Wilson, but Barber disputed that – saying White hasn’t shown he can stay healthy over a full season.
Benigno had heard enough, and brought things back to Barber’s Big Blue loyalties. “Tiki, let me tell you right now. You hate the Jets. You would love to see the Jets go 2-15. Stop it. You’re a Giant,” Benigno said. He finished his rant saying, “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 countered that he’s not the type to scream, but rather silently analyze. But that didn’t cut any ice with Benigno, who noted Barber was busy on Sunday working as a color commentator for CBS: “OK, you can analyze all you want but yesterday you were in Washington with the Commanders and the Bills, were you not? 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!”
Barber then ended the debate right there. But not by telling his producer to hang up on Benigno, or sever his connection. Instead, Barber made like a running back and – seeing an opportunity – ran toward daylight. “OK, I’m turning my mic off. This is bulls–t,” Barber said while pulling out his headphones and walking out of the studio.
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Benigno attempted to offer a olive branch to Barber and said, “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 (Wilson)?”
When he did return to the microphone, Barber made some jokes about having beef with Benigno, but rounded the whole thing out by saying the pair are “good.”
