Eli Manning takes pride in not getting surprised or shocked by anything that happens on and around the football field, but the expression on his face certainly showed he did not expect — down the stretch of Thursday’s 36-7 rout of the Panthers — to get a bear hug from behind by anyone, much less Ramses Barden, a player who hasn’t had much to celebrate during his time with the Giants.
“I just wanted really to express my appreciation and gratitude for Eli’s trust and faith in me throughout the game to keep coming my way,’’ Barden said.
It hasn’t been easy to maintain trust and faith in Barden’s ability, not after what essentially were three easily-forgotten seasons filled with characterizations such as “injury-prone” or “underachiever” or “bust.” If someone entered the Giants locker room for the first time, did not know a single player and was instructed to pick the 10 most impressive-looking athletes to start a team, Barden would be selected every time. But that statuesque 6-foot-6 frame and those long and chiseled muscles weren’t amounting to much of anything. In his first three seasons, Barden played in only 17 games and his production was negligible: Fifteen receptions, 174 yards.
That Barden could nearly match that output on one night in Charlotte is astounding. With Hakeem Nicks (foot) and Domenik Hixon (concussion) back home, the Giants really had no recourse when they gave Barden his first NFL start. Taking advantage of some tissue-paper soft coverage, Manning targeted Barden 10 times. The result was nine catches for 138 yards. Running back Andre Brown, also making his first start, garnered more attention by rushing for 113 yards and two touchdowns, but what Barden accomplished was as improbable as any performance the Giants are likely to get all season.
“I’ve had some fun lately, but throughout a game it’s been a while since I was that in tune to it and that immersed in the team success,’’ Barden said.
Well-spoken and eager to express his thoughts, Barden has a big-time aura, but was bumping along a dangerous career path. He was no lock to make the roster this summer and he wouldn’t be the first specimen from a small school (Cal Poly) unable to cut it once the bright lights went on. Despite his great size, he did not show the ability to dominate smaller defensive backs. Despite his long legs, he wasn’t able to gain the necessary separation to make himself an inviting target.
On one play after another, though, Barden ripped apart the Panthers with deep slants, finding holes so gaping, the majority of his catches were uncontested.
“It’s been a while, I forget what the bar is for me,’’ he said.
There was a time when Barden was eager to discuss his potential, dropping goals such as “Pro Bowl’’ as if it were an inevitable landing spot. Now, after three rough years, he’s more cautious with his words.
Did he feel as if he were uncoverable against the Panthers?
“I was in a good rhythm,’’ he said, grinning and seemingly pleased with his verbal restraint.
After all the disappointment, Barden could have been beaten down, believing his chance was never going to come.
“You don’t think about it in that fashion, it’s much more of, you have to be ready,’’ he said. “You hear it all the time, ‘be ready, be ready, be ready,’ and it’s hard to do that. You can’t think the negative.’’
Barden couldn’t contain himself as the closing minutes of the rout wound down, a game in which his contributions flashed across the screen. No one is very touchy-feely with Manning, but Barden’s hug was one from the heart, a long-time coming.
“My mom told me, ‘That’s so sweet, you gave him a hug,’ ’’ Barden said. “That’s how I felt, I was very appreciative of his trust and faith in my ability.’’