1. Eli adjusts to new line.
While some of the same pieces of the offensive line are there, none were in the same spot in front of quarterback Eli Manning on the first day of organized team practice activities (OTAs).
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A certain degree of change was expected after the Giants released last year's starting center and drafted offensive tackle Ereck Flowers in the first round.
But the injury to left tackle Will Beatty has given the offensive line an entirely new look, which consisted of Flowers at left tackle, Justin Pugh at right guard, Weston Richburg at center, Geoff Schwartz at right guard, and Marshall Newhouse at right tackle.
"Obviously, having a new center can be an adjustment," Manning said. "But (Weston) Richburg was here last year and I got snaps with him last year, so that hasn't been a big deal. Anytime you have a rookie at left tackle, it can be an adjustment.
The good thing for him is we're going to throw everything at him early on and he's going to hear everything. We're going to challenge him.
He'll make some mistakes, but he's getting live reps from day one with the first group. He's hearing every call and check and (seeing) everything that might happen. The more he can hear it, the more we challenge him and the more you throw at him, the better off we'll be once the season starts."
2. Cruz update.
Wednesday's start of OTAs was another checkpoint in the rehab process of wide receiver Victor Cruz, who suffered a torn patellar tendon last October against the Philadelphia Eagles. An offensive co-captain for the first time last season, Cruz was on the field today but did not compete in team drills.
"He has progressed," coach Tom Coughlin said. "He is beyond the straight-ahead stuff. He has started to maneuver and cut. He has come along well."
3. Pugh hasn't started at guard since high school.
The last time Pugh started at the position where he lined up today for the Giants he was an 18-year-old at Council Rock South High School in Holland, Pa. Pugh, who had been the Giants' starting right tackle for the last two seasons since he was drafted in the first round in 2013, began OTAs at left guard today.
"It is different," said Pugh, who played some guard at Syracuse and in the Senior Bowl but never started at the position. "Obviously it is a totally different position. I am on the other side of the ball. I feel comfortable being in a left-handed stance. I played left tackle all through college. You just have a guy that is right on you. It is a lot closer. Everything happens a lot quicker. I am leaning on John Jerry and Geoff Schwartz to really help me out because they have that experience in that position."
4. Wednesday's injury report.
Veteran defensive end Robert Ayers was forced to leave practice early because of an injury. Coach Tom Coughlin wouldn't speculate much other than saying, "He hurt his ankle and his knee. We don't know too much about it, except it seems like the ankle right now." Meanwhile, second-year linebacker has "A little bit of an ankle" issue, and fellow sophomore safety Nat Berhe was held out because of a "knot in his calf."
5. Odell on 'Madden' cover: "I don't know what a jinx is."
As voted by fans, Giants wide receiver and reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Odell Beckham Jr. will be on the cover of the popular EA Sports video game 'Madden 16' for the newest edition. The LSU product edged out All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski of the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
"I don't know what a jinx is," Beckham responded when asked about being on the cover. "It's definitely a blessing to be on the cover, though…It was definitely surprising to be in the running, especially after just a year. But it's over now. It's already on the cover. So I'm very happy about and I'm looking forward to this season."
