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- Odell is a rookie.**
While everyone awaits Odell Beckham Jr.'s encore, the reigning AP Offensive Rookie of the Year still has four games to go before he can shed the label. After missing the first quarter of last season, Beckham joked today that quarterback Eli Manning still calls him a rookie.
"I've still got four more games," said Beckham, who added that he's physically ready to practice at training camp. "Hopefully I can get Rookie of the Week the first week or something like that."
2. Eli is a ghost.
The relationship between Beckham and Manning goes back to their roots at the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, and the two understand each other, the wide receiver said today. "I mean, he is the kind of guy who has been through it, been through the up and downs," Beckham said.
"Super Bowl MVP twice, he just knows what it takes. To be able to watch a guy like that every single day and him be a leader, and a guy who I have known for a little bit of time now, it's just great, it's just like we click. We kind of understand each other, and I understand from watching him what it takes to be that."
*3. Eli has unprecedented group of weapons at his disposal. *
With Beckham included, Manning was asked if this is the most explosive group of weapons he's had heading into his 12th training camp. "Yeah, as far as I can think of," Manning said. "I think we have some talented guys on offense, talented receivers, talented running backs, guys that are very multiple at running back; catch the ball out of the backfield, move them around, good group of tight ends, the receivers. Yeah, I think there are a lot of weapons. We just need everybody to play up to their ability, I've got to do a good job and we've got to put it on the field and make it work."
4. Berhe not far behind in safety competition.
After missing spring football with a calf issue, second-year pro Nat Berhe is looking to jump into the safety competition as rookie Landon Collins and Cooper Taylor lined up as the top tandem during organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp. Before Friday's practice, Berhe said he started to feel close to 100 percent two weeks after minicamp and doesn't think he's far behind.
"Here's when the real football starts, when the pads come on," Berhe said. "And that's where I excel."
5. The running back roles will play themselves out.
After the Giants signed running back Shane Vereen of the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots, the question turned to how the reps will be split between him, Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams and others looking to climb the depth chart. Vereen, who is known for his pass-catching skills and set the Super Bowl record for most receptions by a running back, wants to prove he is an all-around back.
"The role is going to kind of play itself out," Vereen said heading into the first practice of training camp. "The more we get on the field, the more practice we get, the more repetitions, I think it will kind of speak for itself and a role will be cut out in some way, shape or form."
6. Jenkins won't try to replace JPP, mum on moving to defensive end.
Defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins is as versatile as he is veteran, and the 12-year pro spent time in the spring playing outside while Jason Pierre-Paul was absent. Jenkins, who said he's had quick conversations with Pierre-Paul and that the defensive end is in good spirits, will get reps both on the inside and outside. Asked if he will get more work at one spot versus the other, Jenkins replied, "I'm not sure. It depends; I go back and forth wherever I am needed most and wherever they put me, I'll play."
7. Manning wants a nasty offensive line.
On Thursday when the players reported to training camp, left guard Justin Pugh said the offensive line has to develop a more aggressive mentality and has watched film of the 2008 group of "tough guys" that included Chris Snee, David Diehl, Rich Seubert, and Kareem McKenzie. That's just how Manning likes them.
"I like big, mean, nasty offensive linemen," Manning said. "That's the way, if you could grow them, that's the way you'd grow them. I think this group has a little of that in them."
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"He's a ghost. You know, I only see him when we're around here. I know he's got a family and he has to take care of all that. A guy like that, you just watch and you watch what he does. You watch what he does in the meetings, you watch how he takes notes. You watch how he takes his notes then brings them to the field." -- Beckham on Manning
