NFL Preseason: Tiki Barber Fails to Interest Buccaneers, Dolphins or Cardinals

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Three weeks ago Tiki Barber was trying out for an NFL team. Five years ago he was starring for the New York Giants as the best all-purpose running back in football.

Obviously those five years haven't done much of anything for the 36-year old's hopes of playing football again.

The Miami Dolphins gave Tiki a look, but they already have a number of other, younger running backs in place.

The former Giant has been linked all over the league for various reasons, but nothing is even substantial enough to consider him a possible player in the league this year.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were considered an option because of his brother Ronde, but they said no. The Pittsburgh Steelers were also rumored, but that made little sense.

The Giants want no part of him at all.

And the Arizona Cardinals, the one team with a major need at running back after the injury to rookie Ryan Williams, have stated Barber is not an option for them either.

It is a cold truth, but Barber really isn't a legitimate option for any team at the moment.

He is undoubtedly in relatively good shape if he was serious about coming back, but that doesn't make him a viable option to carry the rock or even suit up for an NFL team right now.

There are a number of younger backs worth taking a flyer with much less baggage then risking a roster spot on a guy who hasn't taken a real hit in five years.

It is certainly curious that younger squads like Detroit and Tampa Bay, or even Arizona, wouldn't consider the option, but Barber really hasn't done himself any favors over the years.

There is a good chance teams look at him as a negative influence in the locker room despite his reputation as a dedicated worker. He sparked controversy with his former quarterback, Eli Manning, after his retirement in New York and surely wasn't an upstanding person upon his foray in the public life away from football.

If Tiki Barber wants to play football again he'll have to wait his turn. The running back market is flooded with players looking for homes and he's just another number in the line right now.