The one-handed catches, game-breaking speed and stop-on-a-dime cuts have of course left an impression on Pat Shurmur through six practices. But the new Giants coach seems just as impressed by Odell Beckham Jr.’s actions away from the cameras and the adoring fans.
“This guy loves to play football, he trains extremely hard, he’s totally engaged in the meetings behind the scenes — the things that the world is not aware of — and he’s got a lot of passion for the game,” Shurmur said before Monday’s training camp practice. “We were just out in a walk-through and I saw three or four times when he was talking to different players about certain techniques within the play.”
Beckham, a full participant so far in camp as he waits on a new contract extension from the Giants, has shown no ill effects from the fractured left ankle that limited him to four games a year ago. He’s shown burst and the same athleticism that has netted him three Pro Bowl selections. Just as importantly, the superstar wide receiver seems fully invested in his teammates and doing whatever he can to make the Giants a winner, his new coach believes.
Shurmur likes to have tight ends who can stay on the field on every down, who are just as potent in the passing game catching the ball as they are blocking in the running game. He sees that potential in Evan Engram, even if the second-year tight end was known for his pass-catching abilities as a rookie.
“We feel like he’s a three-down tight end,” the first-year head coach said. “He’s improved his blocking. He works on it constantly.”
According to the analytics website Pro Football Focus, Engram was ranked 66th among run-blocking tight ends last year, while he was seventh among tight ends in touchdown catches (six), sixth in receptions (64) and fifth in receiving yards (722).
Newcomer Michael Thomas has flown under the radar so far. But the safety’s value shouldn’t be diminished, defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo believes.
The two were together over the past five years in Miami with the Dolphins, where Thomas made a name for himself as a special teams ace and useful backup.
“Michael’s a great guy, and can do so many different things, and I think the stat that I didn’t even realize is he leads the NFL in special teams tackles [with 54] since 2014,” Anarumo said of the 29-year-old defensive back who signed a two-year deal with the Giants in March. “So he’s gonna bring that immediate impact to us, and then he brings some position [flexibility] on defense.”
Linebacker B.J. Goodson made something positive happen on back-to-back plays. When Olivier Vernon forced Saquon Barkley to take a handoff and cut to the outside, Goodson was there to chase Barkley out of bounds for no gain. Next, Goodson stood his ground and stood up running back Wayne Gallman for a short gain on an inside run. Good signs from Goodson, the starting inside linebacker along with Alec Ogletree.
At first, it looked as if something might be up with Barkley, as during a water break for the team, strength and conditioning coach Aaron Wellman was on the field, stretching out Barkley’s massive thighs and hamstrings. When it was time to resume the practice, Barkley hopped to his feet and did a little dance to the song playing — Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.’’
There was a brief and heated scuffle after Gallman caught a swing pass to the right side. Vernon diagnosed the play perfectly and put a big hit on Gallman — apparently too big of a hit for Gallman’s liking. He shoved Vernon from behind to spark an altercation, although Vernon let others do the heavy lifting and stood on the side of the fracas. Gallman and Vernon eventually made up with a hug.
Running back Jonathan Stewart was held out of practice for a “vet day,’’ meaning he was given the day off by Shurmur. Safety Curtis Riley started practice but did not finish, as he was sent to the sideline with a hamstring issue. Cornerback Donte Deayon sat out with a slight hamstring tweak. Shurmur said, “It will be just a short time before he is back out there.’’ Tight end Garrett Dickerson (hamstring) sat out again.
