When Ramses Barden was drafted a few years ago, the 6’6″ phenom was supposed to come right in to the Giants organization and start catching back corner fades for TD’s like Plaxico Burress made famous for the Giants. But, consider it a wrench in the Giants’ plans that it hasn’t happened, yet.
Barden is currently sidelined on the physically unable to perform list, right along with WR Steve Smith who is reportedly planning on visiting the Giants camp this week. But with Barden, if it’s not one thing it’s another. In 2009, the rookie was horrible in Special Teams, so he only dressed 2 games. In 2010, Barden was more familiar with the offense but suffered a broken ankle and was place on IR. In 2011 — the Giants are waiting for him to emerge as that crucial red zone threat and #3 WR but he hasn’t gotten on the practice field because his leg isn’t fully healed.
From a fantasy football perspective, Barden isn’t even on the radar. Via Rotoworld, July 30:
"Giants placed WR Ramses Barden (ankle) on active/PUP.Barden had offseason surgery to “clean out” his left ankle way back in March, so it’s concerning that he’s not fully healed. Such lengthy recovery times always make us wonder if the operations weren’t more serious in nature. We’re quickly losing faith that Barden can stay healthy. He isn’t on the fantasy radar."
You can’t hurry progress from these kinds of injuries, and Barden is doing what he can to rehab as quickly as possible. After having tweeted with him a few times, I know he’s going so far as to take Yoga classes in his spare time to get stretched, strengthened, and balanced as only Yoga can do for you. But I won’t turn this into a post about Yoga, everyone knows its a can of worms with me and the negative stigman it has with many pro athletes.
But the time is now for Barden to become that fantasy sleeper everyone knows he can be, and start catching TD’s over defenders heads the same way he was drafted to. With the teams most sizable receiver Kevin Boss lost to Oakland, the team needs Barden’s size now more than ever. Once he gets of the PUP list, I’m confident he’ll get his shot to prove everyone wrong and make a splash this season and become the fantasy sleeper Giants fans all know he can be.