Eli Manning: Giants Would Accept Plaxico Burress Before Tiki Barber

Who would be more welcome in the New York Giants locker room - Plaxico Burress or Tiki Barber?

When Giants quarterback Eli Manning was asked that question on the Dan Patrick Show on Monday, he said he would rather be reunited with the Burress.

"Probably Plaxico," Manning said when asked who would be welcomed back quicker in the locker room. "He has probably fonder memories, winning a Super Bowl, that catch for the touchdown in Super Bowl XLII."

Manning went on to say that Barber "left on a bad note" and the former running back "burned a few bridges" with the way he left.

Shortly after Barber became an NBC analyst, he criticized Manning for not being a strong leader. Manning said that he earned the respect of his teammates by firing back at Barber's criticism.

"I responded back and I think guys liked to see that from me," Manning said. "I didn’t want it to be a deal where it’s me vs. Tiki. But I couldn’t just sit there and do nothing.”

Both Barber and Burress are trying to return to the NFL this season.

The ex-Giants receiver was released from prison earlier this month after spending nearly two years behind bars for accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a nightclub in Manhattan.

Barber, 36, is attempting to return to the NFL after four years away from the game. He opened up about his life after football, his short career with NBC and how he was depressed for a year.