Barnes Testing Himself For Bigger Role

[b-morebrotha]

Jones and Barnes is showing potential. Jones could take over for Pryce when he retires as Barnes could be given a bigger role as LB.

Really I haven't heard to much buzz about Jones at mini camps. You have a link i might be able to read on him.

[rayvenfan_52]

naw. Ive only seen him play during the Dolphin game. Where I live I cant watch all the games our team plays. I only get to watch like 5 out of the entire season. The Dolphins vs Ravens game was where I saw him play. He did pretty good.

[T-Sizzle55]

BTW, did anyone see Gary's "wired" game from last season?

It's against the Bengals, I highly recommend it. At some points you see him getting triple-teamed on special teams, he's just that good of a player. I didn't really realize why he was considered one of the best special teams players until I watched it, he makes a huge impact, even if he's just getting blocked lol

Gary Stills is the MAN!! He should have been to 2 if not 3 Pro-Bowls. He played better than Brendon Ayanbadejo did last year. Same nuber of tackles, except Stills caused a Fumble too. Plus, he's one hell of a great guy. I took my sister to the 2nd Pre-Season game last year against the Giants. She's a pretty good footballl fan and I wanted to do something fun with her before she went back to school. She's great, she talks a lot of smack to people who root for pittsburgh. I can recall one time this guy at a bar was talking smack and said we're just jealous we don't have "Big Ben". She said, "Oh you mean 'Ben-Gay'? You can keep him just don't let me catch him on his motorcycle on 695!" Haha I was soo proud! She even bought a black McGahee Jersey a few days before we went. After the game I took her to the area by the players parking lot to see if we could get some autographs. Gary Stills is a huge favorite of mine and we both are WVU Mountaineers. Gary walked by and was chillin at the entrance to the gated lot talking to Haloti and some other players. I started shouting "Hey Gary, WVU is goin all the way to become National Champs! How about that 'Super Steve Slaton'?" He walked all the way back over to us from the parking lot and signed everything I had, took a picture with us, and even shot the breeze for a little bit about WVU. He's real down to earth and very respectful to his fans.

[alg52]

Cant wait to see Barnes getting more reps, big fan. How do you think Gooden will turn out?

[BloodRaven]

I love watching kickoffs, Stills and Ayenbadejo are going to be doing some serious wedge destroying.

[T-Sizzle55]

Antwan Barnes went under the radar because he came from a small school that was relatively unknown in most NFL Draft circles. He turned the heads of many teams after a dominant performance at the Combine and Barnes's stock quickly rose. Barnes ran a 4.43 which was the second fastest among all linebackers. He measured the 3rd best broad jump with 10'2" as well as led all linebackers with 31 reps the the 225 pound bench press.

In his last two years at FIU, this golden panther accumulated 17 sacks in 23 games, 38 tackles for loss, playing both defensive end and linebacker. He was viewed as a first day selection to be taken from mid 2nd round to the 4th. He was being looked at by Detroit, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh. But Ozzie and the Ravens knew this guy was special and chose him before anyone could take him off the board.

In college:

Finished his career as only the 6th player in Golden Panthers history to amass more that 200 tackles (224)

Ranked ninth in Sun Belt statistics with 5.75 tackles per game.

All-Sun Belt Conference 1st-team choice as a juniorFlorida International

[BloodRaven]

Lets see if he can produce in the NFL, his pure speed should get him by and Im hoping hes not just a workout warrior, hopefully he gets some reps in pre-season games. Also hoping for some looks at Edgar Jones and Dan Cody if he can keep himself strapped together.

[T-Sizzle55]

Cant wait to see Barnes getting more reps, big fan. How do you think Gooden will turn out?

Jon Beason was awesome in college and carried that over to the NFL. He was picked 25th in the first round and his first year in the league, he ranked 3rd best in total tackles (140). At the combine he ran a 4.72. Benched 225lbs for 19 times, had a vertical jump of 30", broad jump of 9'3", and a max bench of 350lbs.

Tavares Gooden has experience at all 3 Linbacker positions mainly playing OLB, but soon took over as MLB where he had his best season. He turned many heads after accumulating 100 tackles 3 passes broken up and 1 pick which he returned for 35 yards. Compared to Beason, he is over 1 inch taller (some have him as 6'1 but a lot have him at 6'2.), he's leaner, faster (4.55 40 yrd), Benched 225 lbs. 22 times, had a vertical of 35", a broad jump of 9'10", and a max bench of 325. He was named the team's defensive MVP last year at The U and was voted most athletic linebacker in the entire class. John "Hardball" Harbaugh already said he is starting right away on special teams and I think he will be a great player if he stays healthy. The only down side is that he sustained at least 3 injuries in college that made him sit out. If he comes in healthy 100% and stays that way he will be a BEAST!

[Redreed]

Jon Beason was awesome in college and carried that over to the NFL. He was picked 25th in the first round and his first year in the league, he ranked 3rd best in total tackles (140). At the combine he ran a 4.72. Benched 225lbs for 19 times, had a vertical jump of 30", broad jump of 9'3", and a max bench of 350lbs.

Tavares Gooden has experience at all 3 Linbacker positions mainly playing OLB, but soon took over as MLB where he had his best season. He turned many heads after accumulating 100 tackles 3 passes broken up and 1 pick which he returned for 35 yards. Compared to Beason, he is over 1 inch taller (some have him as 6'1 but a lot have him at 6'2.), he's leaner, faster (4.55 40 yrd), Benched 225 lbs. 22 times, had a vertical of 35", a broad jump of 9'10", and a max bench of 325. He was named the team's defensive MVP last year at The U and was voted most athletic linebacker in the entire class. John "Hardball" Harbaugh already said he is starting right away on special teams and I think he will be a great player if he stays healthy. The only down side is that he sustained at least 3 injuries in college that made him sit out. If he comes in healthy 100% and stays that way he will be a BEAST!

Anyways, I assume most of us grew up in or near ACC country. In Virginia we get the UM games more than I'd like to see them, and I never really noticed this guy, if that tells anyone anything. I def knew Beason was going to be good. I knew Antrel Rolle would make a better safety than CB (lol), but was good, and I knew Vilma was going to be a solid NFL backer. I say all this to point out that for whatever reason I never really saw this kid dominate a game. He may be good, he may be great, but I don't think anyone will know for sure until he get's out there. Personally, I am praying that he plays alot with the 1st string D, either him or Barnes. JJ has got to go. He doesn't make plays at all.

[Marc2k6]

Hey! T. Suggs is holding out so it is time for Barnes to step up and earn a spot while Suggs is off smewhere training or whatever.

[b-morebrotha]

Anyways, I assume most of us grew up in or near ACC country. In Virginia we get the UM games more than I'd like to see them, and I never really noticed this guy, if that tells anyone anything. I def knew Beason was going to be good. I knew Antrel Rolle would make a better safety than CB (lol), but was good, and I knew Vilma was going to be a solid NFL backer. I say all this to point out that for whatever reason I never really saw this kid dominate a game. He may be good, he may be great, but I don't think anyone will know for sure until he get's out there. Personally, I am praying that he plays alot with the 1st string D, either him or Barnes. JJ has got to go. He doesn't make plays at all.

I wouldn't say he doesn't make plays at all I just think your spoilled by ad cause ad did it all. JJ cant cover a sleeping baby, i'll agree. He's better suited as a pass rusher from what ive seen if he were just acked to do that then he'd be pretty effective. He's a 3rd down backer in all honesty. Those 2 could easily surpass jj but he isn't totally useless as U would make it seem

[Redreed]

I wouldn't say he doesn't make plays at all I just think your spoilled by ad cause ad did it all. JJ cant cover a sleeping baby, i'll agree. He's better suited as a pass rusher from what ive seen if he were just acked to do that then he'd be pretty effective. He's a 3rd down backer in all honesty. Those 2 could easily surpass jj but he isn't totally useless as U would make it seem

I'm sorry for bashing JJ, and you're right, I said in a similar thread that AD can do everything that Rex asks of that position 100% better than JJ can, so yeah, JJ's play makes me wish we still had a more versatile OLB out there. We won't win with JJ on the field though man, it's nothing personal, he's not good. He limits what Rex can do, and that shouldn't happen. I don't even want him in on 3rd down because he limits the zones we can fly, and we don't need his pass rush, the guy has 5 sacks in 5 years with the team. I dunno. Really hoping for hot new blood at OLB this year, personally.

[Marc2k6]

YEAH! Take a fish out of your fish tank and throw it on the kitchen floor. That is JJ in pass coverage. We will need 3 people to replace AD,who by the way has gone HOLLYWOOD on us since landing a big contract. I like the AD who played any where he was needed LB DE DT CB and special teams. He was the biggest gunner on the punt team and he would be the first one down field.

[Redreed]

Moment of silence for AD?

Thank you.

[Raven07]

all this talk still.....even though AD is gone from Baltimore and no longer a Raven, it was his decision to go, he had the power to say "no i want to stay" or "No i want to Leave" and he chose to indeed, Leave for somewhere else. Losing AD was a blow to us in more ways than one yes simply because of his playmaking,athletic ability on the football field,those types of skills cannot be exceeded, only Matched.

All this talk of AD is just trying to bring up old topics and old issues that are or have since been Settled, The Team has moved on and the players have moved on which is clear to see by everyone present. The Fact that we Drafted younger talent, with players such as Antwan Barnes, and Presott Burgess, both of which Present new abilities and physicalities to this new Baltimore Raven football team that as of now, seeemingly cant be replaced, Though One went down to injury and faultered because of that fact, The other Seemingly Excelled beyond Anyone's expectations last season and really stepped in and fill the hole created by AD leaving for the Patriots.

i have a strong feeling that if Burgess can stay healthy and can pick up the schemes as well as we all hope he will, from where he was at last season, i more than willing to bet that we'r egoing to have 2 young, athletic talents out there on our defense reaking havoc for opposing Defenses in the best way's they possibly can. it just all comes down to Determination, will and drive to win and succeed, Leadership ability, ability to grasp the concept and all the above, if both of them can do that type of thing, you can surely look for our defense to have many many more great years to come because of what type of players we have on our dominating Defense of today.

[b-morebrotha]

I'm sorry for bashing JJ, and you're right, I said in a similar thread that AD can do everything that Rex asks of that position 100% better than JJ can, so yeah, JJ's play makes me wish we still had a more versatile OLB out there. We won't win with JJ on the field though man, it's nothing personal, he's not good. He limits what Rex can do, and that shouldn't happen. I don't even want him in on 3rd down because he limits the zones we can fly, and we don't need his pass rush, the guy has 5 sacks in 5 years with the team. I dunno. Really hoping for hot new blood at OLB this year, personally.

Well that means that Barnes and Burgess are gonna have to show off in T.C. cuz by the looks of things suggs will be a no show for the camp. I think Barnes would have naturally took JJ's spot but now he has to fill-in for suggs so its up to Burgess to take his spot

BTW You ever notice how the bulk of Raven07's post are like 3 paragraphs long. Dude writes speaches

[Redreed]

all this talk still.....even though AD is gone from Baltimore and no longer a Raven, it was his decision to go, he had the power to say "no i want to stay" or "No i want to Leave" and he chose to indeed, Leave for somewhere else. Losing AD was a blow to us in more ways than one yes simply because of his playmaking,athletic ability on the football field,those types of skills cannot be exceeded, only Matched.

All this talk of AD is just trying to bring up old topics and old issues that are or have since been Settled, The Team has moved on and the players have moved on which is clear to see by everyone present. The Fact that we Drafted younger talent, with players such as Antwan Barnes, and Presott Burgess, both of which Present new abilities and physicalities to this new Baltimore Raven football team that as of now, seeemingly cant be replaced, Though One went down to injury and faultered because of that fact, The other Seemingly Excelled beyond Anyone's expectations last season and really stepped in and fill the hole created by AD leaving for the Patriots.

i have a strong feeling that if Burgess can stay healthy and can pick up the schemes as well as we all hope he will, from where he was at last season, i more than willing to bet that we'r egoing to have 2 young, athletic talents out there on our defense reaking havoc for opposing Defenses in the best way's they possibly can. it just all comes down to Determination, will and drive to win and succeed, Leadership ability, ability to grasp the concept and all the above, if both of them can do that type of thing, you can surely look for our defense to have many many more great years to come because of what type of players we have on our dominating Defense of today.

Sure, AD could've stayed for less money, but who really does that? Ozzie should've paid him whatever he wanted. Instead, he paid Boller more money. You're acting as if we drafted Barnes and Burgess because we wanted to have them on the team, when in fact we drafted them because we needed someone on the team. Big difference. Those guys put together aren't AD. And I feel no guilt in missing AD, by the way. I don't feel like it's a detriment to anyone, especially not the Ravens. In fact, this is pure speculation, but I bet Rex Ryan misses AD way more than I do!! lol...

I'd bet money Barnes will make much more of an impact than Burgess will, if I had any money to bet, that is.

The issue isn't settled because we still don't have a true OLB (Bart is more of a ball chaser, agreed? Better suited to be an ILB in a 3-4, but that's neither here nor there) that can do anything Rex needs them to do. And until we do, I'll miss AD and pray on Barnes or Gooden, because I'm fan, not a front office guy. I don't care about the business, I care about the defense.

P.S. You may want to address our "dominating Defense of today" as our dominant rush defense of today if you want to sound more correct, we were 20th defending the pass and 22nd in points allowed. Hardly dominant.

[BloodRaven]

Ok Bart has the build of a ILB but the guy can pass-rush extremely well on one-on-one situations.

Does anyone agree that JJ should muscle on 30lb and jump into the DT rotation? I think thats the only place his athleticism fits.

Oh yeah, Burgess is slow as hell and changes direction like a 38yo nose tackle. Sure hes cerebral for a second year guy but the key to our defense is the playing speed.

[berad]

Ok Bart has the build of a ILB but the guy can pass-rush extremely well on one-on-one situations.

Does anyone agree that JJ should muscle on 30lb and jump into the DT rotation? I think thats the only place his athleticism fits.

Oh yeah, Burgess is slow as hell and changes direction like a 38yo nose tackle. Sure hes cerebral for a second year guy but the key to our defense is the playing speed.

30lbs of muscle is not going to come easy on a 6'3 frame that's already 270. He can still be an effective backup LB or DE. He's stops the run well. But I absolutely HATE him as a starter, he simply cannot be effective starting in this D.

[BloodRaven]

30lbs of muscle is not going to come easy on a 6'3 frame that's already 270. He can still be an effective backup LB or DE. He's stops the run well. But I absolutely HATE him as a starter, he simply cannot be effective starting in this D.

Correct me if Im wrong but I think he did come out of College as a single gap DT. I mean he did drop down to 270, however I do agree that he doesnt have the athleticism to be a starter here, and hes not a shock and shed type of LB you expect from a 270pounder.

[FerrariFan87]

With Suggs' possible long hold-out, Barnes needs to develop... and fast! I like what I have seen thus far and with a healthy T-Pryce anchoring the End position on the other side drawing double-teams, it should really help out whomever is on the other side, be it Barnes or Suggs =/

[Redreed]

I just threw this up on the very similar thread about Suggs:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story;jsessionid=C...mp;confirm=true

Boldin won't resign, says he doesn't want a new deal with Arizona, now is our chance!!

Who would support a Suggs/Boldin deal?

I know I would.

[berad]

Correct me if Im wrong but I think he did come out of College as a single gap DT. I mean he did drop down to 270, however I do agree that he doesnt have the athleticism to be a starter here, and hes not a shock and shed type of LB you expect from a 270pounder.

Yeah, he did come out of Alabama as a DT and he was 285 back in 2003.

[b-morebrotha]

Yeah, he did come out of Alabama as a DT and he was 285 back in 2003.

I'll take JJ as a de rather than a OLB he's effective as a pass rusher and can tackle well. Put Barnes in his spot during T.C. and JJ at DE

[rayvenfan_52]

Yup. Id rather have Barnes at JJs spot and put JJ at DE. Besides Barnes got some good practice in against Todd Heap. He is developed in a way against covering TEs now. Especially if the TE hes covering isnt as good as Heap.

[b-morebrotha]

Yup. Id rather have Barnes at JJs spot and put JJ at DE. Besides Barnes got some good practice in against Todd Heap. He is developed in a way against covering TEs now. Especially if the TE hes covering isnt as good as Heap.

hey and JJ is good for 5 sacks too!!

[raven43]

let's not get ready to leave suggs behind just yet, we could still resign him at the end of the year. He wants to be a raven, it's just that , like most players, he deosn't want to go to camp and he didn't really have to this year. We could still resign him. Lets no tforget Michael Strahan last year.

[rayvenfan_52]

I know Im not forgetting Strahan. Im just saying. JJ is better at Pass Rushing rather then coverage. Barnes speed will make up for some of his mistakes. Besides hes been going 1 on 1 with Heap for a while in one of the news links stuff. Id go with Barnes at JJs spot though.

[b-morebrotha]

With Ngata going down that door may open up for JJ to put his hand down at least early in the season

[raven43]

With Ngata going down that door may open up for JJ to put his hand down at least early in the season

How bad is Ngata's injury!!!!???!?!?

doesn't he play DT anyway? ah man, I read about how this one guy on our team at DT was really impresing... god, what's his name?....... anyway, it would open up the door for him, if anybody.

edit: it's either j'vone parker or amon gordon.