Man. I hope so....As a fan, I was never really down on Barnes...At least the coaches trusted him enough to actually start some games...but his appearances in 2013 didn't show me much...I hoped he would do better at Seattle, but I figured he'd struggled. I assumed his lack of PT in 2014 was because of those games in 2013...So, I hope Barnes is the answer to the center position in 2015...
All I can say to you about Tim Barnes today vs. the Tim Barnes you saw in those last 4 games in 2013, is much bigger, stronger and is obviously another year experienced.
The part of 2014 that most people are just not taking into account is how banged up he was. With Wells not being able to practice at all the first 3 weeks of training camp, and then Jones going down after only a week, Barnes and Rhaney were the only two healthy Centers on the roster. Barnes too virtually EVERY 1st AND 2nd unit rep in training camp, which took its toll.
He pinched a nerve in his neck around the second week of camp, and he toughed it out still taking all the reps. Then he hurt his shoulder, which did in fact cause him to miss almost a full week of practice. That's when they were forced to work Mike Person it at Center just to be able to practice. Eventually Wells got back to the point he could participate, albeit at less than an optimal weight. But he was still the best option at that point.
Once the season got started, Barnes was active and participating on both Special Teams (FG/XP Unit, and Kickoff Return), as well as being the primary addition on the "Jumbo" (short yardage/goalline ) package. He got hurt in the first SF game, with pretty bad bruised ribs, and it lingered for the rest of the season.
With all that being said, he is physically not that same player you saw at the end of 2013. He came into camp last year and for the first time since he has been a Ram, looked the part of an NFL lineman. No reason to think that won't continue.
