Manning won't return Barber's barb

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Eli Manning has refused to fire back after his former New York Giants' teammate, Tiki Barber, called Manning’s leadership last season “comical.�

The former running back, who retired after last season, made his comment Sunday night as an NBC Sports analyst during the Giants-Baltimore Ravens contest.

"I guess I was just happy for Tiki that he made a smooth transition into the media world," Manning told New York Newsday Tuesday. "It will be interesting to see if he has anything else to say (about anyone) besides the Giants and what his comments will be on that. I'm not going to lose any sleep over what Tiki has to say. I'm not going to get concerned and I'm going to go out and play ball.""

The newspaper also brought up reports that Barber scoffed at an NBC request that he interview Giants Coach Tom Coughlin.

Barber and Coughlin had a strained relationship last season.