Ever wonder why Marion Barber, one of the best running backs in the league, never, ever does an interview? I'll be honest, the thought never crossed my mind until the Dallas Morning News' Barry Horn brought it up yesterday, but that might be because I'm busily fighting the urge to stab myself in the earballs with a spork after being exposed to Tony Kornheiser and Emmitt Smith.
For those of you who are curious about Barber's silence, it's pretty simple, actually: he doesn't want to say anything that might be misconstrued. Perfectly reasonable, and advice more players could stand to heed. In any event, Horn asked former Cowboys quarterback-turned-Fox analyst Troy Aikmanabout it:
"He's a nice guy. He's just so shy and worried that he may say something that will come out wrong or be taken out of context. ... It's kind of a shame. He is such a quality guy. I believe that if a player doesn't talk to the media that at the end of the day, it hurts the player more than it hurts the media...
I wish he would let people see him as the mild-mannered, bright guy he is...I'll tell you this: He is one of those guys I would have loved to have played with. He's as unselfish and as good a teammates as they come."
I can totally see how Aikman would love to play with a guy like Barber; he doesn't say much, and treads people who get in his way. I'm pretty sure most everybody would love to have a teammate like that. But for Aikman to suggest that keeping to himself hurts Barber more than the media, well, I'd just point you to Terrell Owens, Chad Javon Ocho Cinco and Joey Porter. (And don't even get me started on Randy Moss and his disgusting acts.)
I'm not sure how putting these dudes in front of a microphone make anybody better off (although I take great pleasure in Joe Buck's mock outrage at Moss fake-mooning Packers fans). If anything, I could go for fewer player interviews, which would hopefully lead to fewer Andrea Kremer sightings, and, ultimately, a world of televised football without a booth full of blowhards stating and restating the obvious.
Cowboys RB Marion Barber Avoids Media, Troy Aikman Thinks It's a Mistake originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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