*When he spoke with the media last week, tight ends coach Michael Pope said 235-pound tight end Travis Beckum would wear down if he had to block opposing defensive linemen for an entire game.
"His effort is going to be there, he's going to try, but the laws of science come into play," Pope said. "The bigger mass generally over the period of a three-hour game is going to win."
In his discussion with reporters today, Beckum decided to set aside bravado and agreed with his coach.
"The thing about the NFL is that you pay these guys X amount of dollars to do what they excel at," Beckum said. "That is just stating the obvious and I think I read what coach Pope said. If anybody has any kind of smarts, why would you want to put a 235-pound tight end against a 290-pound defensive end for the whole game? That is just common sense. There are plays that they will put you in position to do it, yes - but as far as every down, Kevin (Boss) was 270 pounds and that's a big difference. I am definitely willing to do it, but I think the coaches are just going to put me in the best position to have success and maybe that is just moving around."
Beckum's forte is receiving, not blocking. He missed the Carolina game with a hamstring injury, but is expected to play against the Bears.
"He's got to stay out there," Coughlin said. "When he stays out there he becomes more confident, he does a lot more things with consistency. Just like any of us would, I suppose you could say that. The way he was progressing was a positive thing and those couple of days without practice set him back a little bit and hopefully he's starting to get that back."
*Coughlin challenged Beckum and the rest of the tight ends – Bear Pascoe, Jake Ballard, Daniel Coats and Christian Hopkins to step up their game.
"That's a position that's got to get better," Coughlin said. "If the group that we have here can improve over the next couple of weeks, fine. If not, we've got to get better."
*Several players returned to practice today, including quarterback Sage Rosenfels, who had suffered from a strep throat; linebacker Michael Boley; Tuck; Pierre-Paul and defensive back Jarrant Tarrant.
Three players did not practice: cornerback Corey Webster (death in the family), wide receiver Darius Reynaud (hamstring) and kicker Lawrence Tynes (quad).
*Former Giants defensive end George Martin watched practice.
*The Giants will hold their final training camp practice – the last open to the public – tomorrow at the Timex Performance Center. It is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m.
