After Antwan Barnes made his first career start in the preseason opener against New England, the outside linebacker immediately thought of the player he replaced.
So the 6-foot-1, 245-pounder grabbed his cell phone and sent a text message to Terrell Suggs, who has yet to report to training camp in protest for being tagged the team’s “franchise player.”
“I was just messing with him,” Barnes said. “I said, ‘Guys are going down left and right. It’s about time for you to come back.’”
Suggs’ response?
“Well, y’all won, so we’re good.”
Barnes and the Ravens don’t know when — or if — Suggs, who has a one-year contract worth $8.5 million, will arrive in training camp. The regular season begins on Sept. 7.
But until Suggs, a two-time Pro Bowler, makes an appearance, Barnes remains the starter.
“It’s just an opportunity for me to fill that spot and show the coaches I know my plays since last year,” Barnes, in his second year out of Florida International, said. “I’ve matured a lot, and I just want to show them.”
The former fourth-round pick, who was the first player from his university to be drafted, has taken snaps with the first-team throughout training camp. Playing alongside Pro Bowlers Ray Lewis and Bart Scott has helped Barnes move closer to his ultimate goal of making the starting lineup.
“We knew going in he was going to be a really good pass rusher, and he’s proven he can be that,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “But as far as run defense, the pass drops and understanding his assignments, he’s really had a tremendous camp. He’s earned himself some more playing time.”
Barnes, who made 10 tackles and two sacks in 14 games as a pass-rushing specialist last season, doesn’t blame Suggs for staying away from camp, but expects him to return soon.
“The reason why this guy is getting a new contract is because he had fun for the past five years, and that’s how he got the job done,” Barnes said. “By going out there and not worrying about anything but making plays, he’s earned a big contract.”
If Barnes continues to improve, his big pay day might not be too far behind.
