It looks like the Giants might be in for a protracted contract squabble with wide receiver Victor Cruz thanks to the way the one-time undrafted free agent has performed over the last two years.
The same can’t be said of wide receiver Ramses Barden. He came to the team with a rosier outlook as a third-round pick in 2009, but never took hold of a spot in the team’s offense. Barden referenced the lack of opportunities to do that during an interview with Sirius XM Radio, via the New York Daily News, and likened himself to an animal shedding its fur when asked whether he’d like to try his luck on a new team.
“I’m really seriously kind of excited for the offseason, because as much fun as I’ve had in New York -- and yeah, I’m comfortable there -- it’s probably best for me to start looking other places for a new system, for a refreshed sense of welcoming,” Barden said. “I think everybody can benefit from newness in their lives. This is going to be one of those for me.”
Barden probably isn’t going to have a hard time getting his wish. While he did set career highs with 14 catches and 220 yards this year -- including a nine catch, 138-yard game in a win over the Panthers -- the Giants never gave him an extended run in the lineup. Seeing as how Hakeem Nicks was limited or out for most of the season because of injuries, that’s a pretty good sign that they didn’t think Barden was the right guy for their offense.
