Eli Manning prior to the 2007 season fired back at Tiki Barber after the former Giants running back referred to his rookie leadership attempts as “comical.’’ It was the first time and perhaps the last time Manning was publically critical of anything or anyone.

Manning could have gone after Barber again after the Giants’ all-time leading rusher last week said Tom Coughlin was in a crisis as far as his job security and in danger of losing the team and as a result his job. Manning, though, opted not to go after Barber, who was booed by the fans Sunday night when he was announced to the crowd at New Meadowlands Stadium during the halftime Ring of Honor ceremony.

“You know if they’re asking him questions, he’s gonna say something and say whatever is on his mind,” Manning said Monday on his weekly radio spot on ESPN 1050. “A few years ago, he made comments about me and I kind of fired back and went through the whole deal. Not that I feel bad for Tiki, but it’s unfortunate how everything has happened. My brother told me that when they introduced him there were a lot of boos. It’s just unfortunate because he was a great player for the Giants, had a great career, and was a great player in my first years here and helped us win a lot of games when I wasn’t playing particularly well.

“It’s unfortunate how it’s all happened, but I think he’s definitely deserving of making the Ring of Honor. It’s unfortunate how people view him now because he was a great player for the Giants, but things have happened that are unfortunate.”