more on Darian Barnes that we picked up from TB

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http://www.sptimes.com/2002/12/23/Bucs/High_profile__Darian_.shtml

High profile: Darian Barnes
By ROGER MILLS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 23, 2002
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THE HUMBLE BEGININGS

In a locker room decorated with standout players from standout programs such as Florida State, Florida and Miami, fullback Darian Barnes hails from little-known Hampton. The Hampton Pirates are a Division I-AA program that plays in the Mideastern Athletic Conference. "I think it's a testament to myself as well as to the coaching staff there," Barnes said. "They are definitely capable of producing NFL talent."

THE BOOK ON HIM
Little is know about Barnes, but one thing teammates and coaches tell you is that he operates at full speed all of the time. Perhaps it's because Barnes, who is listed as 6-2, 250 pounds, joined the team after being released by the Giants at the end of the preseason and felt he had a lot of catching up to do. "I remember from the first day he came in he does everything 100 miles per hour," running back Aaron Stecker said. "He's the only guy that sweats during our morning walk-throughs. We tell him sometimes that he has to calm down a little bit. He only knows one speed and that's to go full, throw his body and hurt people."

THE BLOCKS
He has played in only four games but clearly Barnes is making a case for himself to play in a few more. The rookie fullback, listed on the depth chart behind Mike Alstott and Jameel Cook, had two critical blocks Dec. 15 against the Lions paving the way for significant gains by Alstott. Barnes blocked linebacker Clint Kriewaldt to open a hole for Alstott's 1-yard touchdown run, then did it again on an Alstott 23-yard gain. That drive ended in a 28-yard Martin Gramatica field goal. "It's a good feeling, I can tell you that," Barnes said about delivering those kinds of blocks.

IN HIS OWN WORDS
"I think I have started to learn how to play within myself. I can remember playing my first pro football game, against the Rams on Monday night, I was all over the place. Even playing against Cincinnati, I was so charged up. But being here for so long, (running backs) coach (Kirby) Wilson has helped to get me where I am today. Now I'm seeing everything as it develops rather than just go into the hole with the violence."

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http://www.bigblueinteractive.com/camp/camp81502a.htm
Going back to NYG camp that he was cut from:


Training Camp Report (Afternoon - August 15, 2002)
by BBI Contributor Marty in Albany

The practice was in full pads. It ended a half-hour early due to lightning and thundershowers on this hot and muggy day. Fassel had saved the eleven-on-eleven drills for last and I'm sure he didn't get to see as much as he wanted to before the rains came. He had the first teams playing against the second teams, but that was all that time allowed.

A lot of time was devoted to special teams. In a full-scale drill of the kickoff and return teams, PK Owen Pochman's first kick was a line-drive grounder. Fassel halted the play and PK Matt Bryant kicked off. Bryant's was not much better. Fassel was absolutely furious. He got the kick-off squad around him and was screaming at them, telling them what he wanted them to do. His face was beet-red. Don't think that special teams is not a priority for Fassel. Luckily for all concerned, Pochman and Bryant did much better with the rest of the kickoffs.

Pochman kicked 5-of-6 field goals progressively from 30 to 40 yards. Palmer was the holder. Bryant was given one chance from 45 yards and he made it. I am told that the Giants have made it clear to Bryant that the kicking job is not an open competition, and that Bryant is only there in case something happens to Pochman. Bryant is not thrilled with this, but at least the Giants were up-front with him about his chances.

D.J. Dinkins has a new number (82) and a blue (not red) jersey. He was practicing with the tight ends rather than with the QBs. He does not seem to be big enough to play TE. In the one play I noticed, he did not know whom to block. The defender, Quincy Monk, ran right past him. In another play, FB Darian Barnes put a momentary block on Monk by grabbing a handful of Monk's jersey. Monk grabbed Darian's pads and threw him to the ground with little effort. If Monk is too slow for strongside linebacker, he is so huge, he could be a lineman. If he is fast enough for strongside linebacker, he could be terrific. I watched Darian Barnes while he was walking to the practice field. The expression on his face said that he could not wait for practice to begin. He had the look of a guy who had just been told that he has made the team.

Kerry Collins, perhaps having nothing else to do, practiced drop-kicking field goals from the five yard line. The ball is kicked a split-second after it hits the ground. Collins tried three and made all three. It was pretty impressive, but I don't think that Pochman will be losing any sleep over the competition. TE Jeremy Shockey was looking on and when Collins was done, Shockey took a shot at it himself. I think (okay, I hope) that Shockey was saying to himself, "Hey, anything he can do, I can do too!" Shockey's effort was low and wide.

WR, Sean Riley made three or four excellent catches. He seems too small to me to stay healthy. HB Delvin Joyce who is short, does not seem small to me. He is exciting to watch. He can catch, is very quick and agile, and he runs hard. WRs Tim Carter and Daryl Jones did not practice, nor did MLB Nick Griesen. I am told that CB Jason Sehorn practiced this morning and broke up a pass. He did not play in the afternoon. Sehorn and SS Shaun Williams both wear streamers from their belts. Shaun's says "S 36 Dubafly" and Jason's, I am told, says "Sea Breeze."

I am told that when T, Jeff Hatch went to NYC for treatment, he got a very painful injection, and that this injection will be painful for a while. Whether there is an injection to treat a bulging disc, I do not know.