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Giants Now: Ronnie Barnes elected to HSS Board of Advisors

Apr 08, 2021 at 06:00 AM

Matt Citak

Digital Media Coordinator

Ronnie Barnes elected to HSS Board of Advisors

Ronnie Barnes has had quite an illustrious career with the New York Giants.

Barnes joined the franchise as an athletic training intern in 1976. Just five years later, he was promoted to the role of Head Athletic Trainer for the Giants.

Over the last 40 years, Barnes has earned numerous awards and accolades for his hard work. He was twice named the National Professional Trainer of the Year (1983 and 1987). His alma matter, East Carolina University, inducted him into their Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990, and nine years later, he was inducted into the National Athletics Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

Two years ago, Barnes added another honor to the list when he was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation's Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr.'s Salute to Excellence Awards during the weekend of Super Bowl LIII.

Of course, Barnes is also a four-time Super Bowl Champion.

This week, the Giants' Senior Vice President of Medical Services was elected to the Hospital for Special Surgery Board of Advisors.

As stated in HSS' announcement, "Ronnie Barnes is the Senior Vice President, Medical Services & Head Athletic Trainer for the New York Giants, an organization he has been a part of since 1976. Mr. Barnes has lectured nationally and internationally on sports medicine, and authored a popular textbook in the sports medical field. He has served on numerous committees, both for the NATA and NFL, and is currently a member of the NFL Head Neck and Spine Committee, NFL Foot and Ankle Committee, and Liaison to the NFL Equipment Managers Meeting."

NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund picks Giants as perfect fit for Jaylen Waddle

The Giants have already provided a boost to their pass-catchers this offseason with the additions of wide receivers Kenny Golladay and John Ross and tight end Kyle Rudolph.

According to NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund, the Giants could look to add another explosive weapon to the offense on draft night.

Frelund used her context-based data models to identify the best fit for each of the top five wide receivers in this year's draft. As she writes in the introduction, "The goal for each pairing: maximizing the draftee's 2021 win share, factoring in what we know about each team's personnel, coaches and strategy right now. And of course, I'm aiming to present realistic matches, ones that could actually come to fruition on draft day."

With all of that said, the analytics expert believes the Giants are the best fit for Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle.

Waddle put together an impressive three-year career with the Crimson Tide. As a freshman in 2018, the 5-foot-10 receiver caught 45 passes for 848 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games while adding 16 punt returns for 233 yards (14.6 avg.) and a touchdown. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year that season.

In his sophomore campaign, Waddle finished the season with 33 receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games while also serving as a dynamic weapon on special teams. He returned 20 punts for 487 yards (24.4 avg.) and one touchdown along with five kickoffs for 175 yards (35.0 avg.) and another touchdown on his way to being named First-Team All-SEC and SEC Special Teams Player of the Year.

A foot injury led to Waddle only playing six games in 2020, but he was still able to catch 28 passes for 591 yards and four touchdowns. He earned Second-Team All-SEC honors.

In terms of his fit with the Giants, Frelund believes Waddle's versatility would be a valuable asset for Big Blue.

"Alignment versatility. That's what makes Waddle so enticing here, even with Kenny Golladay already added via free agency," Frelund writes. "Need him in the slot? Cool. Outside? Also cool. My model says his speed when open (i.e. no defenders are closer than 3 yards) is the fastest among all receivers in this draft class. An ankle injury limited Waddle's field time in 2020, but he was a nightmare to defend when active.

"According to Pro Football Focus, he only dropped one target on 29 catchable passes last season, while averaging 10.1 yards after the catch per reception, third-most in the FBS. This helped drive his 4.4 average when it came to receiving yards per route run (also the third-best FBS mark)."

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Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle

(AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) returns a punt for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisiana-Lafayette, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) makes a move on the field during an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Fla. Alabama won 52-24. (Perry Knotts via AP)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) pulls in a pass over Mississippi defensive back A.J. Finley (21) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Alabama won 63-48. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) carries the ball against Auburn during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) returns a punt for a touchdown in an NCAA football game against LSU Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, in Tuscaloosa , Ala. LSU won 46-41. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) carries the ball on a punt return during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) carries the ball against Auburn during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) carries the ball in for a touchdown after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) tries to get past LSU cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. (5) in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa , Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) carries the ball as he gets around Auburn wide receiver Eli Stove (12) on a punt return during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs past Auburn defensive back Smoke Monday (21) for a touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) returns a kickoff for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) carries the ball in for a touchdown after a reception in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) makes a leaping touchdown pass over Auburn defensive back Javaris Davis (13) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) takes the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama offensive lineman Landon Dickerson (69) lifts wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) as they celebrate Waddle's 35-yard touchdown pass reception against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. Alabama won 38-7. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) celebrates with Xavier Williams (9) after scoring a touchdown against Auburn during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs past an official with a 35-yard touchdown pass reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. Alabama won 38-7. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) scores on a 54-yard pass reception against Western Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) and Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) celebrate Smith's touchdown against LSU in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs after a catch against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama's Jaylen Waddle (17) returns a punt for a touchdown as LSU's Jacob Phillips (6) gives chase in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) sprints to the end zone for a touchdown after 31 yard catch and run against Texas A&M during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) jukes Texas A&M punter Braden Mann (34) during a punt return during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) returns a punt against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) makes a leaping grab against Southern Miss during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Marvin Gentry)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) works the sidelines on a catch against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) breaks loose for a 41-yard punt return during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) takes off on a long punt return against Southern Miss during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama's Jaylen Waddle looks to the bench during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019 in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs back a punt against New Mexico State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) gets loose on a pass reception against New Mexico State during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, right, eludes New Mexico State defensive back Chance Cook (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle runs a route against Duke during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Georgia defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) misses Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Georgia during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) runs a pass reception in for a long touchdown, working by Alabama defensive back Saivion Smith (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Georgia defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) misses the tackle on Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. Waddle scored a touchdown on the play. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Alabama offensive lineman Jedrick Wills Jr. (74) picks up wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) in celebration after he scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) makes a catch against Georgia defensive back J.R. Reed (20) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) takes off running on a kickoff return during the second half of Alabama's A-Day NCAA college football scrimmage, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) outruns Auburn defensive back Noah Igbinoghene (4) and defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) catches a pass and thens carries it in for a touchdown against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama won 52-21. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) tries to elude the pursuit of Louisiana-Lafayette running back Ashton Johnson (3) and running back Raymond Calais (4) on a punt return during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) catches a pass for a touchdown against Louisiana-Lafayette during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) is tackled by Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Koa Haynes (29) after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) catches pass and out runs Louisiana-Lafayette defensive back Bralen Trahan (24) for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Alabama won 56-14. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle makes a fingertip catch for a 49-yard reception against Louisville during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle makes a catch for a 49-yard reception against Louisville during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

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