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Report: Steelers An Option For Ex-Giant Tiki Barber

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Imagine Rashard Mendenhall's power combined in the same Pittsburgh backfield with Tiki Barber's cutback ability. Sound good, Steelers fans?

It's obvious the Giants aren't interested in hosting Barber's comeback attempt. But there might be a taker out there -- not including Jim Fassel's Las Vegas Locomotives -- and according to the New York Post, "there could be something down the line with Barber and the Steelers."

The Post cited two anonymous sources, who said Barber "would certainly be interested in restarting his career in Pittsburgh."

Barber's agent, Mark Lepselter, told the paper that any reports at this point detailing negotiations with the Steelers would be "factually incorrect," but he's confident there will be NFL interest.

 

The Giants acknowledged on Tuesday that the 35-year-old Barber has asked to be taken off the reserve-retirement list and that they will release him once the league allows it. Teams cannot make roster moves during the current extension of the CBA talks.

"We wish Tiki nothing but the best, and when we are able to make the transaction, we will release him from our reserve-retired list," the Giants said in a statement.

What about the history of Big Blue smack talk from Barber?

"Tiki wishes the Giants the best and they have wished him the same," Lepselter told The Post.

But the good vibes weren't flowing from everyone following Barber's shocking comeback news.

"We all disagree with how he left and what he said," Justin Tuck told the Daily News on Tuesday. "(Tiki's return) would pose problems … there would be some rebuilding he would have to do."

RELATED: Can Tiki Barber's Comeback Possibly End Well? | History Of Blasting Giants Bites Back At Barber | Trainer: Tiki Nearing NFL Shape; Fassel Says UFL An Option | Tiki Barber Plans To Unretire, Play In 2011

Former Giants safety-turned-analyst Antonio Pierce blasted Barber's comeback attempt.

"Tiki Barber the person? The leader? The person in that locker room? He's not going to do anything for your team," Pierce seethed during a television spot. "Now if that's the guy you think you're bringing in, you might want to look in another direction, because from personal experience, he didn't do anything to help the Giants the last year, especially 2006 when he decided to retire in the middle of season, and then months later kind of questioned our quarterback and our head coach at the time, Coach Coughlin.

"That's my problem with Tiki Barber, but the guy can play. Can he do it four years later? I don't think he can."

Can he make a comeback and be successful? Tell us what you really think in the comments below...

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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