NY Giants

The WORST thing the New York Giants could do for the struggling and banged-up Saquon Barkley is force him to sit the rest of the season ... so says the team's all-time leading rusher, Tiki Barber.

The G-Men are having a terrible season -- they're 2-8 and going nowhere fast -- and there's been talk that sitting the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year is the smart move for the future.

FYI, Barkley has had a rough go of it the last few weeks -- culminating in the worst game of his career against the then 1-win NY Jets -- when he rushed for 1 yard on 13 carries ... and according to coach Pat Shurmur, got banged up during the game.

So, when we saw Tiki in NYC -- the best running back in franchise history -- we asked him if Giants brass should force Barkley to hang up his cleats until next season.

His answer ... hell no.

"I don't think they should shut him down. I think that would be detrimental to his psyche, 'cause he wants to be out there playing," Barber tells us.

"I think limiting his carries might be smart going forward. Get Wayne Gallman some runs, and try to keep [Saquon] as healthy as possible."

We also talked to Barber about rookie QB Daniel Jones -- who's thrown a bunch of TDs (15) -- but has also fumbled the ball at an alarming rate (13 times).

Remember, Tiki had a fumbling issue before NYG head coach Tom Coughlin changed the way the RB carried the ball … turning him into a star.

Despite putting the ball on the ground way too often, Barber thinks Jones has a bright future in NYC.

"He's having some turnover issues. But, the timing is so different and the speed is so different in the NFL. That's what's causing him to hold on to the ball a little bit longer than he should," Tiki says.

Dr. Oz says he wants to help Sterling Shepard figure out what's wrong with his brain ... but he's warning the New York Giants star retirement might be his recommendation.

Sterling has been held out of Big Blue's last four games because of complications with a concussion ... and his head coach, Pat Shurmur, just called it a "serious injury" this week.

When we got Dr. Oz out in NYC on Thursday ... he offered to lend the receiver a hand -- saying he wants to conduct some tests on the 26-year-old to see if he's legitimately okay.

"If Sterling Shepard's brain is still functioning as a young man's should, then I'm fine with it," Dr. Oz says. "If it's not, he should be reconsidering returning to the gridiron."

Dr. Oz says he has a battery of tests he's personally used to make sure his own brain was okay after his football career at Harvard ... and he tells us he'd love to use the same exercises on Shepard as well.

As for some prescriptions he'd currently recommend to Sterling? Dr. Oz says the receiver needs to chow down on fish, walnuts and avocados to keep his brain strong.

Ex-New York Giants star Chris Canty ain't jumping off the Daniel Jones hype train just yet ... telling TMZ Sports he still thinks DJ's the future of the G-Men!!

"My man, Danny Dimes, is going to be all right!!" Canty says.

Daniel looked pretty whatever since his electric debut against the Buccaneers earlier this year ... and against the Cowboys on "Monday Night Football," his three turnovers cost his team a chance at a win.

But, when we got Canty out in NYC on Tuesday morning ... he told us he's still riding with the rookie QB, saying, "I think he's the next franchise quarterback for Big Blue."

Of course, there are a lot of people who are starting to doubt that ... Jones is just 1-5 since his 1st start in Tampa Bay -- and, overall, he's got 9 fumbles and 8 interceptions in just 7 starts.

Daniel himself has admitted he needs to play better ... saying after the Giants' 37-18 loss to the Cowboys, "Anytime you turn the ball over, it's costly to the team, so I gotta work on that."

"Y'all better take all y'all asses to work tomorrow or else I'm snitchin'!"

That's Golden Tate -- decked out in fake face tats and rainbow hair -- clowning the hell out of Tekashi 6ix9ine when we got him leaving a Halloween party in NYC ... and it's HILARIOUS!!!

The New York Giants star receiver was at Moxy on Thursday night ... and with his wife dressed as a cop supervising him -- he made a bid to win best costume of the night.

"I'm letting you know right now, I'm snitchin'!" Tate hilariously told us. "Go to work!"

Golden eventually got out of character to answer some questions for us ... and he said he believes his Giants have a chance to turn things around in the 2nd half of the season.

Of course, the G-men haven't looked so hot in 2019 ... they're just 2-6 and are big-time underdogs against the Dallas Cowboys on "Monday Night Football" next week.

But, Tate tells us, "We know we're a good team, we just got to put it all together consistently."

Good news, bad news for "Game of Thrones" fans!!!

The Good News ... author George R.R. Martin is finally giving a timetable on when he plans to finish the final two books from his "A Song of Ice and Fire" saga!!!

The Bad News ... George says they'll come out BEFORE the NY Jets or Giants win another Super Bowl -- so it could be a while!!!

Of course, Martin is a HUGE NY football fan -- he blogs about both teams -- but he's REALLY down on the Jets and Giants at the moment because, well, they suck!!!

But, don't get too upset NY fans ... Martin tells us he's actually warming up to the Giants' infamous Daniel Jones pick!!! So, that's a start!!!

Eli Manning ain't the Giants starting QB anymore ... but he's still one of the team's leaders, so says NYG WR Darius Slayton, who tells TMZ Sports the future HOFer is a critical member of the squad.

Slayton -- a rookie out of Auburn who was taken in the 5th round of this years NFL Draft -- played in his 1st NFL game Sunday ... catching 3 balls for 82 yards (he also made a critical block on Evan Engrams 75 yard TD reception).

We talked to Darius earlier this week ... and he told us even though it's Daniel Jones receiving the adulation, Eli's been a great teammate and a big presence in the locker room.

"I think he's been a real pro. Honestly, from the day they announced it until now, he's been the same guy. He's came in, I think he's really tried to help [Daniel Jones] get ready week in, week out because obviously you can't replace 16 years of experience," Slayton told us.

"There's no way we can learn everything he knows in a matter of months. He still plays a pivotal role in this team and it's a blessing to have a guy like that around."

Darius -- who's only been around the Giants organization for a few months -- says Eli might not be under center anymore on Sundays, but he's still a valuable piece of the NYG ... and someone whose contributions to New York will be remembered long after Manning hangs up his cleats.

"He's still a big leader around here. He's still Eli Manning now. He's got rings, he's all over the facility. It's really important for a guy like that to be involved and be part of the team. I don't think he'll be forgotten around here anytime soon."

The 1-2 NY Giants can make the playoffs THIS YEAR with rookie Daniel Jones at quarterback ... so says G-Men legend Tiki Barber.

That's shocking ... the NYG were arguably the 2nd worst team (s/o Fins) over the first 2 weeks of the season -- going 0-2 -- and getting outscored 63-31.

But, that's before the 22-year-old, 6th overall pick, Daniel Jones, made his 1st career start and LIT UP the Bucs in Tampa Bay.

Jones' was 23-for-36 with 336 yards and 2 TD passes ... he also had 2 rushing TDs. The Giants won 32-31.

So, with DJ at the helm, we asked Tiki if it was impossible to think the Giants could make the playoffs ... and listen up Giants fans.

"No, it's not impossible."

Barber says with all the players getting hurt -- especially star QBs (see Drew Brees) -- NY could find itself in a position to make the postseason.

"There may be an opportunity. Injuries play such a big part of it. You just gotta keep plugging forward if you're a Giants fan, you're this Giants team, and be ready if the opportunity should come."

Still, let's be real ... if the Giants squeaked into the playoffs, they're not winning any Super Bowls this season.

But, in the future ... hell yeah. DJ's good enough to win some rings.

"Down the line, could I see Daniel Jones as a Super Bowl-caliber QB??? Absolutely. He's got all the intangible. He's got all the skill sets. His arm is big. He's got touch. He's smart. He makes really good decisions," Barber says.

"I like him, and I think Giants fans are ecstatic right now to go to Giants games and watch this young kid develop."

"I don't think that he's done. I can see him in Jacksonville."

Plaxico Burress says he's envisioning a Tom Coughlin-Eli Manning reunion down in Florida ... telling TMZ Sports he's predicting Eli could end up on the Jags at some point this season.

"I don't believe that No. 10 is done," Eli's former favorite receiver says ... "I could see him down in Jacksonville reuniting with the great Tom Coughlin."

Of course, all the stars are aligning to make the move happen. The Jags' starter, Nick Foles, is injured ... and Manning's just been benched in NY for first-round pick Daniel Jones.

Plaxico tells us it just makes sense for Eli to leave New York now, saying, "I would be really happy for him to see that happen."

"I know that the fire still burns for him to go out and compete and to play this game," Burress added.

"I think that his time over in New York may be over, but as far as going somewhere else and playing football, I believe that he can still do that."

We also took a trip down memory lane with Burress ... and he walked us through what it was like going on that final drive with Eli to win Super Bowl XLII over the 18-0 Patriots.

The NY Giants benched Eli Manning, but the teams dreadful 0-2 start ain't his fault ... that blame falls squarely on the team's terrible defense -- so says NYG legend Antrel Rolle.

The D's given up 63 points in their 2 losses (only the Fins have been scored on more) ... and they've allowed 9 TD drives of over 70 yards. They're at or near the bottom of every defensive statistic. They can't stop anyone ... and that's the real issue according to AR.

"Defensively, that's just not it. I'm a guy that's always brutally honest. I give it to them raw. Not saying those guys don't possess talent, but right now I'm seeing one, a lack of leadership, I'm seeing two, lack of identity, and three, a lack of toughness" ... Rolle tells us.

"I don't see any toughness. I don't see them knocking guys over, I don't see them getting in anyone's face. I don't see any nastiness. As a defensive player, you gotta be nasty."

Rolle knows the Giants and he knows defense. He's a former 8th overall pick who made 3 Pro Bowls and was a defensive leader on the Giants squad that beat Tom Brady at Super Bowl 46 in 2012.

We asked Antrel what he'd say to the Giants defense if he was in front of the players.

"I'd have to work on not losing my sh*t."

So, yeah, it's hard for Rolle to watch. But, despite how bad they look on the field, AR says it ain't all bad.

Eli Manning is taking the high road after getting benched for Daniel Jones ... telling reporters he's staying positive through the change and reminding everyone, "I'm not dying."

The NY Giants announced they'll be going with the rookie when they face-off against the Buccaneers this weekend ... and 38-year-old Eli says he's going to continue to be there for his team, regardless of where he is on the depth chart.

"It's not over. The season's not over. We got a lot of football," Eli said on Wednesday. "I'm just gonna do my part, do my job, get Daniel ready to play, be ready to play if called upon, support my teammates and get everybody ready."

Eli says he's disappointed by the change ... but he's gonna continue to do his job.

Victor Cruz tells TMZ Sports he still feels the itch to make an NFL comeback "to this day" ... and says he's confident he's still got the skills to be a successful wideout in the league!!

"I still wake up thinking about it," Cruz said of a possible return to the NFL. "I'm still in good shape. I can still run, jump and do all those things. Absolutely."

Of course, 32-year-old Cruz hasn't played a down in the league since 2016 ... and he knows a comeback ain't exactly probable.

But, Victor was one of the best receivers in the game for a few seasons ... piling up 303 catches, 4,549 receiving yards and 25 TDs from 2011 to 2016.

So, could he REALLY make a run at a return?!?!

"Obviously, I know where I'm at in my life right now," Cruz tells us. "I gotta pay the bills a different way."

Kurt Warner is going to bat for Eli Manning -- the guy who replaced him as the starting Giants' QB back in the day -- saying Eli definitely was NOT the problem in New York this season.

"If u watched the film, ELI was one of the few guys playing winning fball for that team!!" Warner said.

"Maybe I’m biased but there is nothing worse in fball than a team making the QB the scapegoat for losing when it’s WAY bigger than that!!"

Of course, Kurt and Eli were teammates during the 2004 season. Kurt started the first 9 games but was eventually replaced by Eli (a rookie at the time) after a 2-game losing streak.

Kurt left NY and signed with the AZ Cardinals the next season. Eli has been starting in NY ever since.

... until Tuesday, when the 0-2 Giants announced Manning will ride the bench this weekend and 1st round draft pick Daniel Jones will start.

Kurt never specifically says who's to blame in NY, but calls on Giants brass to start taking a harder look at the roster before benching Eli.

"Guess I am just a believer in playing best guy and if u gave him the job & he didn’t lose it by playing badly - start replacing some other guys first!"

Warner added, "[Manning] has earned better than two games in his last season (if it is his last there which we would all expect)!"

Victor Cruz is all-in on Odell Beckham flossin' with a $350k watch during NFL games ... telling TMZ Sports he LOVES it!!!

It's been a hot topic since OBJ wore an insanely expensive Richard Mille watch in the Browns' match-up against the Titans on Sunday ... considering it's uncommon for a player to wear a timepiece mid-game.

Of course, Cleveland got ROCKED by Tennessee ... but that was almost overshadowed by Odell's accessory, which is NOT approved by the league's rule against wearing "hard objects."

So, when we asked the ex-Giants great about the issue ... Vic is siding with his old teammate.

"The rich get richer, baby," Cruz told us at Cantor Fitzgerald in NYC on Wednesday. "I love it, I love it!!!"

Odell's gonna need the support -- he says he's gonna keep wearing it during games ... no matter what the league says and what fines come his way.

Jerry Jones and Roger Goodell should have a stern talking with DeMarcus Lawrence over his interaction with a little New York Giants fan ... this according to the boy's father.

11-year-old Kamil Bautista made headlines earlier this week after video surfaced of Lawrence -- a Dallas Cowboys superstar -- blowing off his autograph request because he was wearing a Saquon Barkley jersey.

In the video, you can see Lawrence give Kamil a sideways look, and tell him straight-up, "Get the right jersey, son!"

TMZ Sports spoke with Kamil's father, Jorge Bautista, and he told us the situation at AT&T Stadium really sucked ... saying he didn't think the way Lawrence reacted to his son was right.

In fact, Jorge says he believes DeMarcus' bosses need to sit the 6-foot-3, 265-pound pass rusher down and explain to him he can't act that way around fans.

"I've got employees," says Jorge, a Giants fan who works in a tennis shop in McAllen, Texas ... "If my employees say something wrong to a customer, I'd be like, 'Hey, that's not right. You gotta be humble. You gotta be polite to people.'"

Jorge says he's not mad over the fact that DeMarcus didn't sign for his son ... he claims there were several other Cowboys -- including Randall Cobb and Jaylon Smith -- who did the same.

But, Jorge's beef stems from the way Lawrence reacted to Kamil ... saying, "You've got my son who has the guts to approach you with his New York Giants fan, and you disrespect him like that?"

"I was like, man, I don't think that was right."

Jorge says he hasn't heard anything from the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Giants over the incident ... but two organizations have reached out to try to help massage the situation.

We're told Overtime Athletics US is donating a signed Saquon Barkley jersey to Kamil ... while an anti-bullying organization has also sent the Bautistas a message.

Rashad Jennings says Eli Manning doesn't have to look over his shoulder on who'll replace him eventually, which is he thinks the veteran QB's gonna have a breakout year.

The former-Giants running back was in New Jersey Sunday, where we asked him how he thought his old team would do this season, just hours ahead of their first game against the Cowboys ... in which Eli would be starting over Daniel Jones.

Rashad says he thinks the Giants have what it takes to squeak into the playoffs, but notes that it won't be easy ... even with who he calls the best running back in the game today, Saquon Barkley.

That said, IF the Giants can clinch a playoff spot ... RJ believes they got the fortitude and experience to go deep and possibly surprise a ton of people come January.

As far as how Eli himself will perform, Rashad explains why he thinks the guy is gonna be laser-focused on the field, despite the chatter that Jones might end up replacing him mid-season if he stinks. According to Rashad, Eli sees what's ahead ... and can focus on the game now.

Eli Manning WILL fend off Daniel Jones this season ... so says NFL legend Brett Favre, who tells TMZ Sports the Giants QB is going to have a BIG year!!!

"I think he may surprise some people," No. 4 says.

A lot of football pundits disagree ... saying it's only a matter of games before Jones -- the Giants' first-round pick this offseason -- gets the keys to the car.

But, Favre is confident Eli will play well enough to keep his job ... and is saying the QB has the perfect mentality to have a huge 2019 season in New York.

"I think he'll have a better year than most are giving him a chance to have."

Favre tells us it's the Giants' system that gives him confidence in Eli, saying, "He's got some really great, young, talented players around him, and he knows he doesn't have to do too much."

The Giants kick off the season Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Cowboys ... can he prove Favre right??