'Prospecting:' Ramses Barden

by Ed Valentine on Mar 26, 2009 7:00 AM EDT in News Comment 33 comments

His name has come up in a few threads here recently. So, let's spend this week's 'prospecting' piece discussing Ramses Barden.

If you don't know who Barden is, he is a 6-foot-6, 230-pound monster of a wide receiver out of tiny Cal Poly. Barden has been climbing draft boards quickly in recent weeks, as evidenced by the comment below from NFL.com.

"Big, great hands, athletic and can dominate. Great target. A certain No. 2 receiver with upside. Can take over a game. Tremendous body control. The best blocker of all receivers in the draft. Reminiscent of San Diego Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson but projected to become the better player. You need or want a big receiver, this player cannot be ignored. Could slip into the bottom of the first round. Should not last past the second round."

Scout.com had this to say about Barden.

Barden is a physical specimen who has tremendous size and the ability to be dominant. He gets off the line well and embraces physical play. He’s not a burner, but is deceptively fast with his long strides. He has strong hands and is dangerous after the catch. He’s a red zone threat who elevates over most defenders and hauls in tough catches. He’s an outstanding blocker and will help in the run game.

Barden is also not lacking in belief in his own ability. He has been compared to Keyshawn Johnson, and had this to say about that.

"I know he was a great possession receiver," Barden said. "I think I have that trait. But I think I'm a receiver that what you need, I can get. I think I'm a complete receiver, not a possession receiver." ...

I want to learn how to get better and I don't waste time in my work. I think I am the most complete receiver in the draft, better than a decent player and aspiring to be a great player."

There are questions about his speed, and about how Barden will fare stepping up to NFL competition. His size and strength, though, make him a physical freak for the wide receiver position.

It will be really interesting to see how long he lasts before someone takes a chance on him.

Wat do you think, Giants' fans. Is this a guy you would be interested in late in the second round or with one of the team's two third-round selections?

The video below is grainy, and I know 'Hoya' used it in a 'FanPost,' but it gives you a decent look at Barden.

This Week's Mock Drafts

Walter Football: Round 1 (29th), Brian Cushing, OLB, USC; Round 2 (45th), Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers; Round 2 (60th), LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh.
Steve Wyche, NFL.com: Round 1, Chris 'Beanie' Wells, RB, Ohio State.
Draft Ace: Round 1, Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina; Round 2, Marcus Freeman, OLB, Ohio State; Round 2, Coye Francies, CB, San Jose State.
Football's Future: Round 1, Hakeem Nicks, WR, North Carolina.
New NFL Draft: Percy Harvin, WR, Florida; Round 2, Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers; Round 2, Darry Beckwith, ILB, LSU.

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Comments

Should fall?

To the bottom of the first round? While I think he has first round talent and I always think there is a surprise or 3 in the first round, no where is there anything on him being a first rounder.

But if Reese likes him that much to grab him at #29, who am I to argue? With or without Plaxico back on the team, Barden is a nice addition.

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 26, 2009 7:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What?

I think you misread that. NFL.com says he ‘could slip into’ the bottom of the first round, but is more likely a 2nd round pick. They did not say he would ‘fall’ to 29.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 26, 2009 7:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well?

“Fall to the bottom of the first round”, could slip to the 2nd round. I read it the way its written. The Giants pick is pretty much the bottom of the first round.

Anyway, he will be there at many of the Giants first day picks. Whether or not they pull the trigger, I don’t know. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t or even don’t spend any of their early picks on a WR. All this specualtion is just looking at the Giants holes and fingering out that its WR.

They could go pretty much anywhere, except QB with their first day picks. Id say OL depth is on there, WR maybe, but the reality is its a stretch to think that a rook is gonna help the Giants that much anyway.

The giants first rounder is pretty much destined to be a defensive player. More than likely a LB who plays the strong side and is big enough to dabble in some DE duty. Someone like Clint Sintim or if the 2 white LB’s from USC drop they are Giants. Secondary too if they really like Sean Smith and see his vast potential.

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 26, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's written:

“Could slip into the bottom of the first round. Should not last past the second round.”

That’s copy and pasted, so I don’t know where you’re getting your quote from!

by potroast on Mar 26, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't quoting, just the way I read it.....

but its saying the EXACT SAME FRICKIN THING!!!

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 26, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

No it’s NOT!!!

The way you say it is that he’s moving DOWN in the first round, while NFL.com is saying he could move UP into the end of the first round. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!!

by potroast on Mar 26, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL.....

There is a BIG DIFFERENCE, but when I read that a guy is slipping in the draft, it means he is falling, not RISING INTO THE FIRST ROUND.

THat’s why I thought it’s wrong to say the guy could “slip” into the bottom half of the first round. If he’s gonna slip, it means that he was considered a higher pick, which he is not.

He may MOVE UP INTO the first round, but he can’t really SLIP INTO THE BOTTOM HALF, when he isn’t in the higher half now can he?

Why you think my point is so funny and wrong, I don’t know.

I can see where youre coming from, that he could slip “UP” into the first round, but they didn’t say that now did they?

by FreeBradshaw on Mar 26, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see your point

But when he uses “slip” he is using it to imply slipping into/out of a round, which could mean up or down and I think that’s exactly how it reads … that he is slipping UP into the first round.

I only thought it was funny because you didn’t want to give up on it. Anyway, I do see how you could read slipping as down. Maybe sliding is a better term?

by potroast on Mar 26, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't want to prolong the "How many angels can dance on the

head of a pin" discussion, but when one makes a mistake, or ovelooks something, it’s a slip up not a slip down. Of course, one could argue that this has no bearing on the question at hand because there was no issue of mistake…, blah-blah, yak-yak, etc., etc.

by blue gonz on Mar 26, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry Ed, but I'm not taking the bait!!!!

If he’s available and is the “Best Value” (which I doubt will be the case) then I’m OK with JR taking him. There are MUCH greater needs to be filled then grabbing another big WR in the 1st (or 2nd).

I remember you doing a thread on my man Micah and I thank you. In fact, that outstanding article is what brought BBV in the national spotlight :-)

p.s. – Did you see you made it on to SI’s list of GIANTS articles? Congrats again!!!!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/giants/

by NY17NE14 on Mar 26, 2009 8:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, NY

Yeah, the SI thing is very nice. Oh, by the way, something special for you tomorrow. Make sure you stop by.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 26, 2009 8:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Should I notify the fan club??? (again!!)

Seriously, I was like HEY that’s “our” blog getting sited on SI. I don’t know how long you’ve been at this, but it’s exploded. I can’t even stand reading other blogs after being here. The format of the site is BEYOND COMPARE!!! my only wish is spellcheck, for my writings and reading others, but that’s minor

by NY17NE14 on Mar 26, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa

I think we just went plaid!

Very cool.

by Woogie526 on Mar 26, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Woogie (cool name) Ya got me feelin old here, PLAID??

by NY17NE14 on Mar 26, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Spaceballs Reference

Only one of the greatest mel brook’s movies of all time!

by Woogie526 on Mar 26, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How soon is Now?

Then?

by Cody K on Mar 26, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When?

by Woogie526 on Mar 26, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like I walked into a 3 stooges' movie!!!

jkac, jkac, jkac…

by NY17NE14 on Mar 26, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"...MUCH greater needs...," etc.

Right on, NY.

by blue gonz on Mar 26, 2009 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks BG. Maybe you can help me out here?

Why are so many people acting like if we don’t get a 1st round WR, winning next season is going to be impossible? Sure, it’s great to cause double coverage and draw a man away form the line, but how many rookies are going to actually get DC’s commiting that to them? We’re one injury away from a MAJOR problem on our OL. Maybe that’s why JR kept Carr?
Because he’s experienced at getting PUMMELED in the pocket!!

by NY17NE14 on Mar 26, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WR

We are spending a great deal of time obsessing about wide receiver. I would agree that there are a lot of ways the Giants can go. It’s just that I think we would all be surprised if they didn’t take a receiver at some point during the first day.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 26, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that we DON'T have stable full of thoroughbreds here

and we need to keep looking towards the future. When I said that about WRs I wasn’t refering to why there are some threads on the subject, I get it, after the QB walks into the party, who’s the next most exciting guy, a guard??

by NY17NE14 on Mar 26, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I never feel good

about guys who rise this fast. Its all based on hype not preformance. Did anyone hear about him in school? Measurables are great but I want game day results. JP Losman anyone? Or when the pistons took Darko over Carmelo? Lets take a proven guy like Britt.

by ryanwk628 on Mar 26, 2009 9:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

1-AA guys never get hyped during the season

Barden had phenomenal stats, but the national media just doesn’t cover the small school until one of their guys starts getting draft buzz. I’m assuming you had never heard of Joe Flacco until the workouts, but as someone who followed him in college for two years I can tell you that he had plenty of game-day performance, it just wasn’t until he started outshining the big school kids at combines that scouts started really taking notice, and the general public found out about him.

by cjmulrain on Mar 26, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea but its like taking basketball players out of HS… much harder to gauge. And J Flac transferred from Pitt so Big East ppl knew his situation.

by ryanwk628 on Mar 26, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like this guy

And I think he’d be a great second round pick. I’d be a little more hesitant to take him in the first round, and I’d be very surprised if the Giants took him with their first pick.

by Tucker Fredrickson on Mar 26, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My guess

is also that first round is overhype for this guy. He sounds like a late two or early three, but you never know.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 26, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Never heard of him

But based on his description he sounds a little like Anquan Boldin.

by John W on Mar 26, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm sold

Of all the WR prospects we’ve heard about, this guy would be my top choice. I don’t think he should be the #1 pick (I’m still hoping for a LB), but I’d be cool spending one of the round 2 picks on him. That said, we should temper our expectations for any rookie WR, they’re not gonna step in and be Plaxico right away.

by cjmulrain on Mar 26, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree with the expectations part

I think we have seen over and over that WR is a difficult position to learn at the NFL level. So many routes and options to learn, adjustments to the physical coverage and speed of the corners, etc. Few guys come in and make huge impacts right away.

by Ed Valentine on Mar 26, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ramses isn't a quick fix..

But he’s the perfect Meadowlands receiver. He can go up for the ball and is a perfect huge red zone target. I think had he gone to any I-A school.. the Giants would have NO chance to get him at our position in the Draft. Viva Ramses!

It's not easy being Giants fan in Philly.. but it sure is satisfying

http://novafacts.blogspot.com

by Hoyadestroya85 on Mar 26, 2009 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Two things

1. Ok, I am caught up a little in this hype and think he seems like a reasonable choice if some of the other guys listed start to fly off the board with teams reaching for WR. While the draft is deep, I feel like an inordinate amount of teams are looking for “#1” receivers getting involved in potential trades, big names getting cut, etc… However, I always hope Reese looks at value (which he does) and if the value and need match fit, then all the better. Given our history, I just dont think spending another first rounder on a WR is an excellent idea. But if they draft one in the 1st round, I feel like they will draft a couple WR (Day 1 and Day 2) b/c it will indicate to me that they believe none of the current players on the team will fit the bill and need to start finding depth and release guys like Moss, etc…

2. Also, this whole conversation is mute until next week and I think we all know that. It is interesting to freak out about where are we going to add skill players especially at the WR. It adds an exciting dimension to any team to have that dominating player at an important position. Rarely is that found in a 1st round receiver or any rookie WR, but recent trends do seem to be changing as more schools run pro-style offenses or at least passing-focused games from a complexity standpoint even at the second tier schools. It gives those receivers more route running experience, more catch chances, more routes to remember, etc… What I really like about this kid in particular is the thought that he can help with the run game from a downfield blocking perspective. I dont necessarily think that makes him my top WR choice or moves him way up our draft board, but guys like that are more valuable to teams like ours that key off the run anyway.

I tried to make a lot of points in just two things there, but I really hope this is a non-issue depending on the plax outcome so there are few reasons to feel that pressing need on draft day or increase our chances of reaching for anyone. Draft day is such a BS things anyway with Kiper and all his crap. What matters is how they end up playing and we all know that. Of course I was the guy that was psyched when they took Moss and pissed when we did not take Robert Gallery. I would be the worst GM ever.

by losangelesmets on Mar 26, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs