Barnes Testing Himself For Bigger Role

[Raven07]

Ravens second year LineBacker Antwan Barnes has been getting valuable Reps throughout the course of OTA's and Mini Camps. Head Coach John Harbaugh, believes that the talented second year player, can be more of a force and improve his overall value to the team, not only as a Line Backer, but also as an Aggressive Pass Rusher, certainly the Team is experessing interest in using the talented Young player to the best of their abilities and Maximize the Athlete's Potential to the maxium, drawing the absolute best out of Barnes.

Barnes has been going up against Ravens Tight End, Todd Heap. Heap is the Ravens all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Barnes, entering his second year as a pro, said he has learned a lot in his one-on-one encounters with the two-time Pro Bowl veteran this offseason.

Barnes and Heap have been going up against each other everyday during practice ever since Camp Started. " He tends to push off a little bit" barnes later said of Heap. "But it's all good. ... I'm getting the work in against one of the best tight ends in the NFL in Todd Heap. I'm working against him every day, and it doesn't get any better than that." Barnes later said after pratice of the Pro Bowl Tight End.

Source:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/footbal...0,5657053.story

[BAL_Hawk]

Ravens second year LineBacker Antwan Barnes has been getting valuable Reps throughout the course of OTA's and Mini Camps. Head Coach John Harbaugh, believes that the talented second year player, can be more of a force and improve his overall value to the team, not only as a Line Backer, but also as an Aggressive Pass Rusher, certainly the Team is experessing interest in using the talented Young player to the best of their abilities and Maximize the Athlete's Potential to the maxium, drawing the absolute best out of Barnes.

Barnes has been going up against Ravens Tight End, Todd Heap. Heap is the Ravens all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Barnes, entering his second year as a pro, said he has learned a lot in his one-on-one encounters with the two-time Pro Bowl veteran this offseason.

Barnes and Heap have been going up against each other everyday during practice ever since Camp Started. " He tends to push off a little bit" barnes later said of Heap. "But it's all good. ... I'm getting the work in against one of the best tight ends in the NFL in Todd Heap. I'm working against him every day, and it doesn't get any better than that." Barnes later said after pratice of the Pro Bowl Tight End.

Source:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/footbal...0,5657053.story

I've been excited about Antwan Barnes since we drafted him. It's amazing that he has already been able to push his way into contention for a starting role on the defense. It took AD several seasons to do that.

It's almost unfair how the Ravens are able to let Pro-Bowl players walk and then simply draft another player with nearly equal ability and a higher ceiling. As always, my hat is off to Ozzie.

[#1 D]

this dude is a younger version of A.D., with a side of excellent speed rushing skills. Give him a year or two, and he will become one of the premier players in the NFL.

[Raven07]

with the amount of talent that this young man has, naturally the expectations are or were set pretty high, not only by the coaches and the team, but also his Expectations were set very high within himself. The Athletic versitle linebacker has considerable talent in which the Ravens are seemingly trying to utilize and use Him to the best of his ability and exploiting the absoloute BEST performance come game day.

Barnes seems to have High Hopes about his future Career as a Raven and is seemingly trying to do his best to get bigger and faster as frequently and as often as he can, i see no reason as to why this young talented Football player shouldnt make a serious push for a starting job this season, and even if he doesnt get the "starters" job this season, his performance and work ethic and desire to to start and work hard to get it, will surely have its image embedded within th minds of All Raven Personel.

i could clearly see him becoming a force as a immediate Pass rusher alongside that of Terrell Suggs, coupled with his LB duties, the simple yet complicated dynamic Duo of Suggs AND Barnes, only means that the competitive, hard hitting Raven Football isnt going anywhere anytime soon.

Barnes Offers us a unique perspecive in which he uses his speed, strength and pure athletic talent to bring the best out of him every play, every down that he is indeed out on the football field.

The Unique and special Combination of Talent and pure power and speed of Suggs and Barnes can potentially bring to the table as far as our defense is concerned, a pass rush combination that definately has the inner makings becoming one of the top Defensive Duo's in the league.

All in all our defense is shaping up to as good as it was before in previous years past, if not better, you can just tell that the whole team is ready to make a run or a push towards the front of the pack, just by taking a deeper insight look of how Hard and how fast a player such as Antwan Barnes is training and getting ready for the 2008 NFL season.

A long awaited, and much anticipated move that many many of the Fans and the people of Baltimore, have long awaited to see again, after the Ravens historic SuperBowl Run in 2000.

[smashmouth]

this dude is a younger version of A.D., with a side of excellent speed rushing skills. Give him a year or two, and he will become one of the premier players in the NFL.

He reminds me alot of AD with a side if Suggs also.I cant wait to see more of him this year.

[rayvenfan_52]

Yea he does remind me of A.D. Only I think he is a little better. Hes got stupid fast speed for a LB and hes versatile. I hope he gets better at coverage though. Itd be cool to see him get an INT and return it for a TD.

[FerrariFan87]

Barnes=Beast and he will only continue to get better. I can't wait to see this kid play more and more

[rayvenfan_52]

Im hopin he becomes an every down LB. Good thing we have Todd Heap to go up against him to make him better.

[neepo13]

He reminds me a little more of a Peter Boulware. Remember those days. Edgar Jones reminds me a little more of Thomas.

[theFRANCHISE]

He reminds me a little more of a Peter Boulware. Remember those days. Edgar Jones reminds me a little more of Thomas.

Gee, thanks for reminding me of #58...makes me miss him even more.

Same with the old #96. BEFORE he faded in the background in New England...

[neepo13]

Gee, thanks for reminding me of #58...makes me miss him even more.

Same with the old #96. BEFORE he faded in the background in New England...

Well, atleast you can say, one spectacular player (Boulware) played for your team and helped you win a Superbowl. Lots of teams cant say that. And I am to angry at Thomas to actually miss him.

Barnes, Jones, Gooden, and Suggs are going to wreck havoc on the NFL. I cant wait.

[rayvenfan_52]

Barnes, Jones, Gooden, and Suggs are going to wreck havoc on the NFL. I cant wait.

Shoot our whole defense is gonna wreck havoc. I love the name they gave our defense as well.

ORGANIZED CHAOS

Meaning everyone is a threat and not just a select few. Im also mad at A.D. Atleast he never achieved what he did over here in Baltimore as well as what he "wouldve" achieved.

[Raven07]

from what we have been hearing from the different reports coming from numerous sources, the Ravens seem to be one focused and dedicated Football team, one to which either has or is the process of evaluating any and ALL options they may have or run across. And by the sound and look of what Barnes has been doing during this time, he's only one Baltimore Raven preparing and training harder than ever before, if thats what Barnes is doing right now getting ready for the upcoming season, you can surely bet that the rest of the team is following or along the same path.

We've already heard about how well the team is geling together as a team unit, and we've heard about how there has been a pretty constant/consistant flow of players in the weight room and training hard. We've already heard all of that, and now we're starting to hear about the players individual players themselves, and take a more in-depth look into Each player's workout routine and the vigorious preparation and consistant mindset of each of them have.

All of which are following the same common goal, getting this team BACK to where it needs to be, where it SHOULD be at.... Championship quality football team.

[ragnorok99]

I hope he's still on the punt unit during the Eagles game this year--Sav Rocca will be too scared to kick the ball.

[rayvenfan_52]

Hed probably give us a good starting position just by seeing Barnes on the field..

[rastaman831226]

Barnes will be good and deserves the media attention he's getting, however, I'm more interested in the progress of Edgar Jones whom Ozzie dubbed the A.D. clone at 6'3" 270. And let's not put down Adalius Thomas, here's a guy the Ravens drafted out of nowhere only to become the NFL's most sought after LB when his contract was up. That was a prime example of Ozzie's draft magic working overtime . New England had no idea how to properly utilize A.D. but at the end of the season and into the playoffs, A.D. was clearlya dominate force among N.E.'s aging LB corps. We can only hope that either Barnes, Jones, or Burgess acquire even half the talent and versatility that A.D. provided the Ravens defence.

[BAL_Hawk]

from what we have been hearing from the different reports coming from numerous sources, the Ravens seem to be one focused and dedicated Football team, one to which either has or is the process of evaluating any and ALL options they may have or run across. And by the sound and look of what Barnes has been doing during this time, he's only one Baltimore Raven preparing and training harder than ever before, if thats what Barnes is doing right now getting ready for the upcoming season, you can surely bet that the rest of the team is following or along the same path.

We've already heard about how well the team is geling together as a team unit, and we've heard about how there has been a pretty constant/consistant flow of players in the weight room and training hard. We've already heard all of that, and now we're starting to hear about the players individual players themselves, and take a more in-depth look into Each player's workout routine and the vigorious preparation and consistant mindset of each of them have.

All of which are following the same common goal, getting this team BACK to where it needs to be, where it SHOULD be at.... Championship quality football team.

The focus that Harbaugh brought has been amazing. It allows the young and upcoming talent like Barnes and Gaither to immediately feel confident in their ability on the field. It also makes them work harder. Harbaugh makes them believe that if they work hard off the field, they can dominate when they get on the field. I love that: HARD WORK.

I'm very excited about where this team is going. We may not be Superbowl bound this year, but if the team continues to grow together, we could see the playoffs this year, and the sky's the limit next year.

[BAL_Hawk]

Well, atleast you can say, one spectacular player (Boulware) played for your team and helped you win a Superbowl. Lots of teams cant say that. And I am to angry at Thomas to actually miss him.

Barnes, Jones, Gooden, and Suggs are going to wreck havoc on the NFL. I cant wait.

I am also mad at AD. I can understand that he wanted a new contract, but why did he have to disrespect Baltimore and Ray Lewis? He still has more Superbowl rings from Baltimore than New England, and Lewis taught him everything he knows. He should have taken respect to New England. Instead, he took disrespect. It just shows the attitude that's encouraged in New England. I would miss him but I'm just too mad.

All in all, I did enjoy watching him play in Baltimore, but he was a RESULT OF OUR SYSTEM. He was a sad shadow of his former self in New England. With our genius system, he was replacable. Barnes has way more upside than AD.

[rayvenfan_52]

Barnes will be good and deserves the media attention he's getting, however, I'm more interested in the progress of Edgar Jones whom Ozzie dubbed the A.D. clone at 6'3" 270. And let's not put down Adalius Thomas, here's a guy the Ravens drafted out of nowhere only to become the NFL's most sought after LB when his contract was up. That was a prime example of Ozzie's draft magic working overtime . New England had no idea how to properly utilize A.D. but at the end of the season and into the playoffs, A.D. was clearlya dominate force among N.E.'s aging LB corps. We can only hope that either Barnes, Jones, or Burgess acquire even half the talent and versatility that A.D. provided the Ravens defence.

I doubt A.D. was a much dominant force in NE when he was in Baltimore. Its our teams defensive system that makes all the players who play on defense shine. It makes the whole team good and not just 1 singular person. Which is why our teams defense has been the most feared defense within the last decade. AD wasnt close to becoming the DPOY when he was in NE. Im still mad at him. Im glad he didnt get his superbowl ring in NE. Heres someone I also dont want to get a ring. Junior Seau. HAHAHA... 18 and 1.

[neepo13]

I am also mad at AD. I can understand that he wanted a new contract, but why did he have to disrespect Baltimore and Ray Lewis? He still has more Superbowl rings from Baltimore than New England, and Lewis taught him everything he knows. He should have taken respect to New England. Instead, he took disrespect. It just shows the attitude that's encouraged in New England. I would miss him but I'm just too mad.

All in all, I did enjoy watching him play in Baltimore, but he was a RESULT OF OUR SYSTEM. He was a sad shadow of his former self in New England. With our genius system, he was replacable. Barnes has way more upside than AD.

I agree. He should have showed a little more class and respect, like we showed him. Ozzie could have slapped the franchise tag on him and he would have missed his big payday because nobody would have given an already 30 year old linebacker that kind of money.But being the class act that Ozzie is, he allowed him to go seek his big day. Its a slap in the face to hear him disrespect this organization and team the way that he did. He could have avoided the question or said no comment, like alot of other players do when they dont want to speak about their former team. Thomas is a hypocrit and a coward. He's lost my respect for good.

But I also think Barnes has more upside. I think he could probably start in our defense right away and be productive. It took Thomas a few years to develop.

[ragnorok99]

But I also think Barnes has more upside. I think he could probably start in our defense right away and be productive. It took Thomas a few years to develop.

Yeah. Took Thomas until the verge of the downside of his career to develop into a starter. I expect Barnes to be a full-time starter by the start of next season, at the latest.

[rayvenfan_52]

Im glad he has Heap to teach him where to cover and whatnot because afterall Heap is a top 5 TE when healthy.

[Corvus]

Barnes will be starting fulltime by next year if he 1) Proves his worth this season on the field, which I know he can and 2) because we will most likely lose either Bart, Terrell, or maybe in Ray if he decides to retire. We MAY not have enough money to go around next offseason for Suggs AND Scott to resign with us.

Sans Ray and Ayanbadejo (who probably won't see much action from scrimmage anyway) we have a pretty young linebacking core. Rex has already been demonstrating how well he can develop young players with this group using his system. In a year or two Suggs (if he's still here), Barnes, Gooden, could lead a super bowl ready linebacking core ala Ray, Boulware, and Sharper if Rex continues doing a good job developing these guys.

[rayvenfan_52]

I would love to see a Super Bowl run again. Hopefully sometime soon.

[stan]

I agree. He should have showed a little more class and respect, like we showed him. Ozzie could have slapped the franchise tag on him and he would have missed his big payday because nobody would have given an already 30 year old linebacker that kind of money.But being the class act that Ozzie is, he allowed him to go seek his big day. Its a slap in the face to hear him disrespect this organization and team the way that he did. He could have avoided the question or said no comment, like alot of other players do when they dont want to speak about their former team. Thomas is a hypocrit and a coward. He's lost my respect for good.

But I also think Barnes has more upside. I think he could probably start in our defense right away and be productive. It took Thomas a few years to develop.

Common! Adalius Thomas played long enough and he was worth more than the Ravens could pay one player and stay under the cap. He deserved a big payday for what he had contributed. No way do I think AD disrespected our team or any one individual. I'll allways be a fan of AD no matter where he plays. I would like to extend a "Thanks AD" for what he gave us. A real class act.

[rayvenfan_52]

AD lost my respect when he decided to not avoid the question about talkin about his former team. Some real class act he showed in doing so. He never wouldve gotten what he did if he wasnt part of the Ravens organization. He also never wouldve learned and done what he was able to do if Ray Lewis decided to not teach him what he knows about football. Let him go eat money somewhere else.

[stan]

In answer to my own comment. I didn't know he actually made a verbal assault on us. Sorry for my lack of due diligence.

Here's the site. AD... You broke my heart.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patr...n_mad_at_lewis/

[bossman419]

screw AD, he went to the place were mediocre old LB's go to die... New England

[rayvenfan_52]

Yup. I havent heard anything about Teddy Bruschi in a while. Not like what I used to hear in 05 atleast. They all die out after 1 really good season.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

AD is old news and his d lost his team the bowl they need to learn how to finish on a sack (or two) so eli cant throw the game winner plus it dont matter who we have plugged into that LB/DE position they are gonna shine AD just lucky we gave him a chance enjoy your old folks home AD, whats it called again...Oh YEAH the new england patriots