NFL: 30 greatest seasons from players 30 and older
By Tommy Jaggi
31. . RB. New York Giants. Tiki Barber. 14. player
NFL: 30 greatest seasons from players 30 and older: 14. Tiki Barber, 2005
Tiki Barber had a very interesting NFL career. He and his twin brother, Ronde, both entered the league in 1997, but neither player experienced a breakout season until at least their fourth year in the league. After earning just 935 rushing yards over his first three seasons (44 games), Barber recorded 1,006 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2000, before another modest season in 2001.
By the age of 27, Barber had just one 1,000-yard season under his belt, but the best was yet to come. Barber would record at least 1,200 yards over his next five seasons. However, his age-30 campaign in 2005 was clearly the best of his career.
In 16 games, Barber remarkably rushed for 1,860 yards and 9 touchdowns. His 5.2 yards per carry was one of the best marks in the NFL in 2005 and he was able to do all of this on just 22 attempts per game. In addition, Barber chipped in 530 yards through the air and 2 receiving touchdowns. His 2,390 scrimmage yards led the entire NFL, and Barber earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first and only time of his NFL career.
Tiki Barber hasn’t yet made the Hall of Fame, and he may not due to his late start. However, he had a brilliant five-season stretch to end his career, and unlike most running backs. He finished his NFL journey on a high note with a 1,662-yard season (5.1 yards per attempt) at the age of 31 in 2006. Unfortunately, Barber played just 3 seasons with Eli Manning and didn’t get the opportunity to partake in New York’s Super Bowl victory following the 2007 season.