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The Ravens shook up their roster today, trading outside linebacker Antwan Barnes to the Eagles for an undisclosed 2011 draft pick.
A pass-rush specialist with lots of speed, Barnes was expected to back up Terrell Suggs at the rush linebacker spot and get playing time on third downs. The Ravens made improving their pass rush a priority this season, and Barnes figured to play a large role in the team's effort to get after the quarterback.
Barnes reacted to the trade on his Twitter account, writing: "Woooooooo........I had a good run in Baltimore......thank everyone for your support......its a new beginning and I'm ready to be a eagle..."
The trade helps the guys on the fringe of the roster, and especially will benefit outside linebackers Prescott Burgess and Edgar Jones and inside linebacker Jason Phillips, three guys who were thought to be on the bubble.
It's also possible that the Barnes trade means the Ravens have received a positive report on rookie outside linebacker Sergio Kindle, who fractured his skull in late-July.
Kindle, the Ravens' second-round pick this year, was scheduled to come to Baltimore this week to get some neurological tests done. He will be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start the season, but head coach John Harbaugh has said that the team will not rule out the possibility of Kindle playing later in the season.
