Tag Archives: Ramses Barden

Some of you may have noticed that Ramses Barden left the game early. After getting X-rays in the locker room, he is currently wearing a walking boot on his left foot. Right now, indications are that he could miss up to two weeks even though the X-Rays are negative at this point.

If Barden has to miss time, the Giants will be forced to make a move for a free agent. Steve Smith will miss at least one more week and the Giants would be down to Nicks, Manningham, and Calhoun. Of course this is speculation, but one would have to assume Darius Reynaud is finally on his way out.

Tagged Ramses Barden |

The Giants were aware that their second meeting with Dallas would not be handed to them. Yes, Dallas came into the game at 1-7. Yes, their defense was depleted by injury. And yes, they were entering the game with a first time Head Coach in Jason Garrett.

But the Giants, despite a 5 game win streak, were not without dings and bruises. There were worst case scenarios that many analysts (including myself) did not see becoming a reality.

What if the inexperienced O-Line reserves made key mistakes? They did. Will Beatty committed a crucial penalty on the opponent’s 1 yard line that was followed by a horrible decision to toss up an obvious pick-6 by Eli Manning. Kevin Boothe, wiped away a perfectly thrown 40 yard touchdown pass to Hakeem Nicks that would have brought New York within 7 points of the lead only halfway through the 4th quarter.

Would the absence of Steve Smith hamper the offense? The answer here is no (overall). Ramses Barden rose to the occasion and showed his first real signs of life as professional player. He had what would have been one of his multiple receptions negated by another Will Beatty falter.

Despite several clutch throws, including Nick’s revoked 4th quarter TD, it is hard to ignore Manning’s two interceptions. Would having Steve Smith in the game have prevented them? Probably not. Regardless, Manning’s decision making is far below par and it is getting harder to defend him to his critics.

There is a lot to take away from this game. For the next week we’ll break it down for you here at GFB as we prepare for Philadelphia. But the one thing that is certain (without a single viewing of tape or so much as an hour of post game reflection), is the need for the October Super Bowl predictions to cease.

Perhaps the top writers in this business are befuddled by the lack of undefeated teams, or maybe they have grown tired of breaking down the illegal hit controversies. But the Giants, who had already been anointed NFC Champions by some of the most respected names in the business, have now lost to a 1-7 (now 2-7) team.

Next week a secondary that looked lost during most of today’s game thanks to the speedy Dez Bryant, will be forced to both contain Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson 7 days from now.

I’m not saying the Giants can’t bounce back. They responded to a similar upset loss against Tennessee with a pounding of the favorite Bears in Week 4. However, whether they win or lose next week, can we please wait to book airfare to Dallas until all the games have been played?

Remember 2008 folks… it wasn’t long ago.

Tagged Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden |

Another Moss was cut on Tuesday and it wasn’t Randy!  Sure I’m late and piling on; however, this story seems to have slipped by just about everyone as justice was finally executed.  Sinorice Moss has been cut!

Did you ever buy something that really never worked that well and you hung on to it for years hoping someday you would find use for it?  Well, that’s what the New York Giants did for the last five years with Sinorice Moss.

The Giants hoped he could be the 3rd wide receiver, but that didn’t happen.   The Giants hoped he could stretch the field, but that didn’t happen.  The Giants hoped he could return punts and kicks, but that didn’t happen.

Final stats:

39 receptions.

421 yards.

3 touch downs.

Tagged Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Kevin Boss, Mario Manningham, NFC East, Ramses Barden, Steve Smith |

Kevin Gilbride holds back this offense.   This offense needs a young innovative mind that can use all the pieces effectively.  Watching the Giants take on the Bears sitting in Section 143 on Sunday night was frustrating.   On numerous drives the offense sputtered and came up lame, which has me asking…Why?

Why do so many teams with the lesser talent score a ton of points and close out teams when the opportunity presents itself.

The answer:  Kevin “KILL-DRIVE” Gilbride.

more

Tagged Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, Brian Westbrook, dwight freeney, Eli Manning, Hakeem Nicks, Kevin Boss, Kevin Gilbride, Ramses Barden, Steve Smith, Tom Coughlin, Victor Cruz |

The release of Bryan Kehl was the fourth surprising cut by the Giants over the past two weeks.

Kehl has the look of a prototypical linebacker. A standout in BYU’s 3-4 scheme as an outside pass rusher, he has yet to break through as an NFL player. It can be argued that Kehl’s raw talent was hampered by his landing spot come draft day. Of all the 4-3 defenses to be brought into, the Giants were the worst fit.

It is no secret that the Giants have been carrying at least four top level defensive ends since the 2007 campaign. This year the total grew to five with the addition of Jason Pierre-Paul. For a mid-level draft pick striving to see the field, the opportunities were slim. When other defenses might have dialed up a rush from an extra linebacker, the Giants simply placed another DE in the spot.

His release is still odd considering that the Giants activated him instead of veteran Gerris Wilkinson for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Either Kehl played poorly enough on kick coverage to warrant being dismissed or perhaps parting ways was considered the best option for both parties. Kehl belongs in a 3-4 scheme and is likely to find a fair share of suitors very shortly.

(more…)

Tagged Andre Brown, Bryan Kehl, Derek Hagan, Domenik Hixon, jay alford, Kevin Boss, Ramses Barden, Travis Beckum |

With the announcement that Sinorice Moss is headed to IR, Victor Cruz‘s chances of making the final roster increased substantially.

For those of you who have been  living under a rock or in the Peace Corps since July, Cruz has been having the most productive preseason of any WR in the NFL.

That said, the numbers game is always a dangerous one for unrestricted free agent rookies and Sinorice Moss has dodged a few cut day close calls in his time.

With Moss out of the picture, Cruz should have no problem making the team.

The updated WR corps looks like this: Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Ramses Barden, Derek Hagan, Victor Cruz

Tagged Derek Hagan, Duke Calhoun, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Ramses Barden, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith, Tim Brown, Victor Cruz |

Three months ago, there wasn’t much room for change amongst a crowded receiving corps.

Ramses Barden was guaranteed a spot as was the talented and versatile Domenik Hixon. Hixon in fact freed up 3 roster spots in essence, due to his ability to return both punts and kicks.

Add in the three starting receivers (Smith, Nicks, Manningham) and the receiving corps of a “run first” team is up to 5 players.

With Hixon now out for the year and Barden quite possibly lost for some time, the WR corps is suddenly “accepting applications.”

Barden has a back injury that has the potential to end his season. Even if the 6’6 receiver would be available by October or November, the Giants may very likely decide to place him on IR. Frankly, he has yet to impress in game situations and cutting a bright young star like Victor Cruz in order to garner a catch or two by the struggling 2nd year player down the stretch isn’t wise.

Cruz came out of nowhere. Usually, an undrafted free agent receiver from a small school will find himself hard pressed to make a roster with depth. This is especially true if the receiver doesn’t even wear a double digit jersey number. Regardless, Victor Cruz is not a training camp body.

After getting the nation’s attention by notching three TD grabs against the Jets, Cruz underwhelmed the following week versus Pittsburgh. Last night, he redeemed himself, hauling in 3 catches and 1 TD late in the game.

Cruz will make this roster. In the course of doing so, he will beat out Sinorice Moss who as Carl Banks says “Can’t make the club from the tub.”

Ahead of Cruz will be Derek Hagan who has had a solid preseason. Hagan caught on with the coaching staff upon his arrival because of his work ethic and steady progression.

Hagan has nice hands and is developing into quite the receiver. I would not at all be surprised if Hagan turns his tenure with the Giants into a starting gig with another organization in the future.

Along with Moss, Duke Calhoun and Tim Brown will not be part of the final roster. Calhoun has been silent all preseason and made a poor special teams play last night. Brown’s value to the team lied in an ability to return kicks.

Due to the loss of  Hixon and possibly Aaron Ross, the Giants need a solid return man. Unfortunately for Brown, his return game success in practice has not been made evident when it counts.

If Barden dodges IR the final receiving corps will be as follows:
Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Derek Hagan, Victor Cruz, Ramses Barden.

That is 6 players. Should Barden not dodge IR (and I feel this is far more likely) the Giants can either keep an extra player along the offensive line or in the secondary and carry only 5 WRs.

The team could also opt to sign a veteran with return experience if one becomes available after final cuts.

Tagged Derek Hagan, Duke Calhoun, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Ramses Barden, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith, Tim Brown, Victor Cruz |

Contrary to our earlier report, Michael Johnson will not be returning tonight.

Johnson will be inactive along with Rich Seubert, Chris Snee, Jim Sorgi, Eli Manning, Ramses Barden, Jerome Johnson, and possibly Brandon Jacobs.  Jacobs is suffering from a stiff neck. 

Tagged Brandon Jacobs, Chris Snee, Eli Manning, Ramses Barden, Rich Seubert |

Well that wasn’t a “crappy” catch.  Victor Cruz makes a left-handed catch on a deep throw from QB. Jim Sorgi.  

In a night that didn’t yield a spectacular showing for the Giant offense, Cruz’s play is critical.  Ramses Barden far from cemented his spot and thus far, Derek Hagan hasn’t made noise.  Do not count Cruz out to make the active roster this September. 

Tagged Derek Hagan, Ramses Barden, Victor Cruz |

Neither Mario Manningham or Scott Chandler are included on Pat Hanlon’s inactive list for tonight’s game agaisnt the Jets.

Despite this news, Ramses Barden will still get the start over Manningham.  This is not likely a threat to Manningham but rather an opportunity to get a better look at number 13.

Chandler’s availabilty will give Bear Pascoe some time off tonight.  It will also give Chandler an oppurtunity to pass the injured Travis Beckum on the depth chart.

Quick note:  Brian Westbrook is officially gone from the NFC East, snubbing the Redskins to fill the
void left by a retiring Glen Coffee in San Francisco.

Tagged Brian Westbrook, Mario Manningham, Ramses Barden | ← Older postsNewer posts →