Tikki Blanches At Crybaby Tag ; Strahan Gets Off Easy (Or Does He?)



Giants coach Tom Coughlin is big on the taskmaster/disciplinarian schtick and that kinda crap might fly in a U.S. military prison, but not with Michael Strahan, writes Newsday's Neil Best.

He's a grown man. Strahan, I mean.

Michael Strahan admitted he has not been fully participating in the offseason program - saying he has his own set of rules - then running back Tiki Barber lashed out at media coverage of players' concerns about the program, saying that they had been "vilified" unjustly.

Strahan delivered his bombshell during an interview about the investigation the NFL and players' union are conducting into alleged violations in the program, the result of complaints by several unnamed players, but apparently not including Strahan.

One concern has been the length of some workdays, which Strahan said does not apply to him because he has not always agreed to the extra work.

"I probably haven't violated any rules because I've kind of got my own set sometimes," he said. "So with that being said, it wouldn't be fair for me to sit here and say, 'Yeah, I've done this and I've done that,' because I actually haven't done everything."

Strahan's tone was so casual and unapologetic that reporters briefly were taken aback. Someone asked him whether his approach was OK with his coach. Strahan did not respond, so he was asked again, in case he hadn't heard. He again didn't respond.

Reporters tried to ask Coughlin about Strahan following the afternoon practice, but he said he would not address any questions because he was not scheduled for a second news conference after speaking at noon. His next scheduled day to speak to reporters is June 7.

It is not known how much of the program Strahan has skipped. He said he has been absent on some days teammates have worked and presumably has cut short other workdays.

When Barber awoke yesterday to newspaper columns accusing players of being crybabies and whiners - on the heels of a day of talk radio thrashing Friday - he was infuriated.

"It is our right as players to ask our union to investigate something we think is maybe outside the lines," Barber said. "My problem is with how you portrayed us, how you portrayed the players as being wimps, the players as being not committed to working out, not committed to trying to get better, not committed to buying into coach Coughlin's program, which is completely not the case."

Barber stared ahead, seething, as he continued.

"Everyone is here. Everyone is working out. Everyone is doing what he is supposed to do. It was sensationalized and I think in an effort to draw on our troubles from last year, you vilified us. You made us less than what we are. You attacked our character, which is not fair."

Barber was unaware that Strahan had just announced his less-than-full commitment to Coughlin's offseason agenda. It was that kind of weekend for the Giants, who now will take a well-timed week off.

I'm on the players' side in this dispute. If you ask me, the NFL offseason couldn't possibly be long enough and if they can find a way to cancel training camp, the entire preseason and any game played before the end of the World Series, I'll be thrilled.

Posted: Mon - May 10, 2004 at 11:53 AM      

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