Barden center stage as Giants lose in Philadelphia

Posted: Sep 30, 2012 11:05 PM by Bill Halter
Updated: Sep 30, 2012 11:07 PM

After playing the best game of his four year career, Cal Poly graduate Ramses Barden made a late play that cost the New York Giants valuable field position. The Giants lost in Philadelphia 19-17 to drop to 2-2.

Midway through the fourth quarter Barden caught a 31 yard pass to help set up a Giants touchdown that put them ahead 17-16 with 6:45 to play. The Eagles kicked a field goal with 1:49 left to go up 19-17 and set up a final drive that had Barden's named called a bunch.

New York was faced with a fourth and one from it's own 44 on the final drive to get into field goal range when Eli Manning threw a fade to Barden. Barden didn't catch it but Philadelphia cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was flagged for pass interference, giving the Giants a first down at the Eagles 35.

Two plays later Manning threw to Barden on a slant and the wide receiver wasn't able to haul it in despite getting both hands on it. Manning threw to Barden on the next play and once again Rodgers-Cromartie was flagged for pass interference. The second pass interference call trying to defend Barden gave the Giants the ball at the Philadelphia 27, well within Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes' range.

Two plays later Manning threw for Barden streaking down the sideline close to the goaline and this time it was Barden who was called for pass interference. Barden pulled the defender in front of him down while diving to try and make the catch. The pass interference call on Barden backed the Giants up ten yards to the 36.

After an incomplete pass New York brought out Tynes for a 54 yard field goal attempt. The veteran kicker missed the would be game-winning field goal short, by a couple of feet.

Barden had two catches for 36 yards. Last week he had nine receptions for 138 yards. He was an All-American wide receiver at Cal Poly, graduating in 2009.