The pass thrown by Eli Manning seemed too far out in front of Odell Beckham Jr., for the first time targeted on a deep route Friday during the second practice of Giants training camp. Beckham, though, hit the gas, reached out with both arms extended and made a juggling catch.
This is the Beckham the Giants have come to expect and why they are about to open negotiations on a contract extension.
“Don’t waste your time taking our temperature,’’ general manager Dave Gettleman said. “Contracts get done when they’re supposed to get done. I’ve had conversations with Odell. That’s where it stands.’’
Coach Pat Shurmur said Beckham, coming off surgery on a fractured left ankle, responded fine after Thursday’s first practice.
“He’s actually fun to be around on the practice field,’’ Shurmur said. “Everybody locally knows him better than I do and it’s very obvious to me that the guy loves to play football. When you’re in a practice setting like that and you see that, it’s pretty obvious.’’
Saturday is not the first day of training camp for the Giants. It is actually day No. 3. But, in the hearts and minds of those paid to protect Manning and open holes for Saquon Barkley, it is the start of the real thing. Here comes the weekend, and here comes the first day in pads for the Giants.
“It’s as close as you can get to an actual game, so you’re always excited for that,’’ rookie guard Will Hernandez said, busting out a smile.
This is a big deal for Hernandez. He has not hit anyone since competing in the Senior Bowl in late January. Ever since he was taken in the second round of the NFL draft, Hernandez has been hyped as a rough, tough offensive lineman. Now, finally, he gets a chance to show what he’s got, as Shurmur ramps up the intensity.
“We definitely want the pads to come on. That’s when you can really see who plays very well, especially under pressure, who’s physical in the run game, who can one-on-one pass block,’’ said Jon Halapio, lining up as the starting center early in camp. “When the pads come on the intensity, everything is realistic. Once the pads come on we’ll get a good feel who can play and who is struggling.’’
Gettleman confirmed rookie CB Sam Beal will need shoulder surgery that will sideline him for five months, meaning he will miss the entire season. Beal was taken in the third round of the supplemental draft and Gettleman said the team knew about Beal’s preexisting shoulder issue.
“There was no mystery there,’’ Gettleman said. “He comes here, he reinjures it, does what he does so it is what it is.”
The quarterbacks were slinging the ball over the field. Eli Manning found Sterling Shepard on a deep slant and Shepard beat William Gay on the play. Davis Webb hit Jerell Adams and a leaping Amba Etta-Tawo and rookie Kyle Lauletta fired his best pass of camp, lofting one deep to Alonzo Russell.
It was a rough logistical deal for the Giants, as impending storms moved practice inside the field house even though it was sunny at the start. That meant the fans who showed to watch were instructed to leave. After a quick thunderstorm, the sun came out again and the practices moved outside … until the closing minutes, when the skies darkened and everyone rushed for cover.
TE Evan Engram made a fabulous one-handed grab on Thursday, but one day later he failed to haul in a pass that certainly was thrown a bit behind him. It was not an easy catch, but one Engram needs to secure.
Damon “Snacks’’ Harrison remained on the sideline. This is part of the plan, as Pat Shurmur said “I think this is typical of how he’s approached other training camps. We just have to be smart about the amount of work.’’ Harrison is expected to participate in practice on Saturday.
