August 19, 2008
BARNES THE BARBARIAN
Senior linebacker sees last shot ... and he’ll take it!
OTTAWA, Ont. -- Linebacker Joe Barnes looks at his fifth and final season with the Gee-Gees football team in the same manner he did through four seasons – two as an all-Canadian - in junior football in Burlington / Niagara.
“Play every down like it is your last,” said Barnes, 26, who took to the field for the first time in 2008 Tuesday afternoon with uOttawa preparing for his fourth season as a Gee-Gees defensive captain.
Barnes, born and raised in Niagara Falls, enters 2008 off a career-low 18.5 tackles in which he said he played “the entire year (2007) on one arm.”
Armed with infectious on-field intensity, Barnes enters his final season with 174.5 career tackles and five interceptions since his 2004 Gee-Gees debut.
“The guy only knows 100 per cent,” said uOttawa defensive coordinator Phil Roberts, in his first season in the role following the departure of Danny Laramee to St. Mary’s.
“He reminds me of George Foreman, back in the old days. He wants to knock you out in rounds one and two. He doesn’t want to get to round 11 and 12.”
Barnes has dedicated his final year to Ken Barnes (1944-2004), who drove the countryside to watch his son play.
“We have all the pieces. It’s just up to us to fit them together,” Barnes said.
A media conference introducing the 2008 Gee-Gees football team will be held Friday, August 22, 1:00 p.m. in the Gallery on the second floor of the Sports Complex.
uOttawa hosts Bishop’s in a pre-season contest at Frank Clair Stadium Sunday, August 24, at 1:00 p.m.
The Gee-Gees open the eight-game regular season at Western Ontario Monday, September 1, 7:00 p.m. before hosting York in their 2008 home opener Saturday, September 6, 1:00 p.m. at Frank Clair Stadium.
Source: Dan Carle, Ottawa Athletics
OTTAWA, Ont. -- Linebacker Joe Barnes looks at his fifth and final season with the Gee-Gees football team in the same manner he did through four seasons – two as an all-Canadian - in junior football in Burlington / Niagara.
“Play every down like it is your last,” said Barnes, 26, who took to the field for the first time in 2008 Tuesday afternoon with uOttawa preparing for his fourth season as a Gee-Gees defensive captain.
Barnes, born and raised in Niagara Falls, enters 2008 off a career-low 18.5 tackles in which he said he played “the entire year (2007) on one arm.”
Armed with infectious on-field intensity, Barnes enters his final season with 174.5 career tackles and five interceptions since his 2004 Gee-Gees debut.
“The guy only knows 100 per cent,” said uOttawa defensive coordinator Phil Roberts, in his first season in the role following the departure of Danny Laramee to St. Mary’s.
“He reminds me of George Foreman, back in the old days. He wants to knock you out in rounds one and two. He doesn’t want to get to round 11 and 12.”
Barnes has dedicated his final year to Ken Barnes (1944-2004), who drove the countryside to watch his son play.
“We have all the pieces. It’s just up to us to fit them together,” Barnes said.
A media conference introducing the 2008 Gee-Gees football team will be held Friday, August 22, 1:00 p.m. in the Gallery on the second floor of the Sports Complex.
uOttawa hosts Bishop’s in a pre-season contest at Frank Clair Stadium Sunday, August 24, at 1:00 p.m.
The Gee-Gees open the eight-game regular season at Western Ontario Monday, September 1, 7:00 p.m. before hosting York in their 2008 home opener Saturday, September 6, 1:00 p.m. at Frank Clair Stadium.
Source: Dan Carle, Ottawa Athletics
