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I haven't heard anything this summer or training camp about Stevie Brown. He's still the starter opposite Antrel Rolle, so I assume he's okay after his injury from last year. Does he show any lingering effects? -Carlos**
Dear Carlos,
No, he doesn't (knock on wood). From the moment he stepped on the field in the spring, Brown has run and played as if he never had surgery to repair a torn ACL. He looks good and feels good (knock on wood). Brown is confident he will be the same ball-hawking defender he was in 2012 (knock on wood).
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Unfortunately, it looks like another top pick of the Giants is going to be on the shelf for his first season. Do you think that Odell Beckham Jr. has missed too much time to be a factor during the season? -Mike**
Dear Mike,
I saw a tweet yesterday from an NFL Network reporter asking at what point is it fair to wonder if Beckham will contribute as a rookie. My response is...seriously? We're asking that question on August 19, almost three weeks before the first game? Because of a strained hamstring? Let's see, in 2011 Prince Amukamara had no offseason work with the team because of the lockout, missed all of training camp and the first nine games of the season with a broken foot and returned to contribute to the Giants' Super Bowl run. Beckham today is miles ahead of where Amukamara was at the same stage. Of course, it would accelerate Beckham's development to be on the field. But to suggest it's too late for him to contribute this season is ludicrous. He's attended all the meetings and practice, so he is caught up mentally. Now he just has to get out there and do it. The Giants, smartly, are not rushing him back. Hamstring injuries can certainly linger, but even if this one does, it's far too early to write him off for 2014.
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Is there a chance someone surprising like Geoff Schwartz or Will Beatty gets demoted on the offensive line to a backup role? -Eli**
Dear Eli,
There is always a chance, but I don't see that happening. I think any evaluation the coaches will make about the offensive line will conclude that Schwartz and Beatty are among their five best linemen. And in Beatty's case, if he doesn't play left tackle, who will? I see both of them starting on opening day.
