Odell Beckham Jr.

New York Giants: Eli Manning Gives Honest Answer About Beckham Jr.

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Eli Manning, New York Giants

Is Odell Beckham Jr. still relevant for the New York Giants? The receiver departed the team this offseason after being dealt to the Cleveland Browns in the same trade that brought Jabrill Peppers to New York, but Beckham’s name hasn’t stopped coming up and with the first season in recent memory where the Giants will be without Beckham approaching rapidly, it feels like the situation between Beckham and the Giants will continue to be talked about until we can see just whether or not the Giants made the right move trading him.

This time, it’s the current starting quarterback of the Giants that was asked about the subject of Beckham. It’s no secret by now that the war of words between the Giants and Beckham ended up reaching Eli Manning, but this time, in an interview with Sal Paolantonio, Manning spoke more about the subject and gave a surprisingly honest answer.

“Obviously I have wonderful memories with Odell. I’ve known Odell a long time, since he was a junior in high school. That’s probably the first time I threw a pass to Odell. Both growing up in New Orleans, we went to the same high school. We had a number of great years and big plays and exciting plays here,” Manning said, when asked about his thoughts on Beckham moving on.

But Manning also acknowledged some of the harder truths of the NFL, the fact that the league is a business and that situations like the Beckham one are bound to happen.

“Unfortunately this business, teammates move on and go to different places, whether it’s trades or retirement or whatnot. You go through it, and sometimes it’s just not a happy ending. It rarely ends happily for anybody in this league, but obviously feelings get hurt and things happen. People say things. But I think we both want to move on…”

Manning wished Beckham success but claimed that the pair haven’t talked much since Beckham left for Cleveland – which seems natural enough, given the tension between the two camps ever since the deal went down. “I hope, eventually all of this gets put behind and we can just enjoy the places where we are right now and what’s going forward and just kind of laugh about this one day,” Manning admitted.

It’s a sentiment that most fans of the Giants will agree with – Odell Beckham Jr. was one of the most popular players in the league with the Giants and will likely have some Giants fans still cheering him on in Cleveland, after all. Most would wish for the breakup between Beckham and the team to be an amicable one, even if right now, it does seem like the split left both sides hurting in different ways.

Will the Giants and Beckham ever be on friendly terms again? It’s hard to say. This season, however, we know for sure that we’ll find out just how the Giants are looking on the field without the wide receiver that defined the position group for the Giants for the past five seasons.

New York Giants Fans Actually Care, Show Up, And Pack The Stadium At One Of The Highest Rates

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The New York Giants‘ fan base has received a shot from one of the NFL’s brightest young stars. 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up Baker Mayfield decided to criticize Giants Nation on Wednesday while discussing his new receiver, Odell Beckham Jr.

Baker Mayfield had this to say about the New York Giants fan base:

“He’s here to play in front of fans who actually care, who will actually show up to every game and pack the stadium and love him for who he is.” – Baker Mayfield

Mayfield seemed to heavily imply that Giants fans do not care, do not show up to every game, and do not pack the stadium. This is not true at all. In fact, the exact opposite is true.

New York Giants Fans Near The Top Of The Attendance Rankings

It is a well-documented fact that the Giants consistently rank near the top of the league in attendance every year. Even over the past two seasons, Giants fans have made their way out to the games, despite their team being well below-average.

In 2017 the Giants went 3-13 and saw multiple star players miss the majority of the season with an injury. Despite this, the Giants still had the third-highest attendance total in 2017. 2018 features more of the same.

The Giants finished the 2018 season a measly 5-11. Still, Giants Nation was strong. New York had the second-highest attendance total in 2018. Through the toughest of times, the Giants play in full stadiums.

Outside of total attendance, the Giants still ranked high in average attendance. 2017 Giants games averaged 77,179 fans per game (4th in the NFL) and 2018 Giants games averaged 76,940 fans per game (4th in the NFL again).

Giants fans show up to every game AND every practice. Weekend practice training camp tickets sold out in less than 3 hours upon release and every ticket was sold out in only three days. This is in 2019, while football fans around the country are trying to claim that the Giants are losing fans and have no future.

There will be plenty of Giants fans excitedly attending training camp next week, showing up, caring, and packing the practice fields. Just like Giants Nations will show up, care, and pack MetLife Stadium this season. Just like they did last season, the season before that, and every season before that.

The Giants are not a premier football team right now. But this does not matter to Giants Nation. Through thick and thin, our Giants Pride stands strong and losing one player will not change that. Giants fans record high attendance rates every season, and that will not change in 2019.

New York Giants News, 7/19 – Who will benefit the most from OBJ departure?

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New York Giants, Evan Engram

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

The moment general manager Dave Gettleman traded Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, one specific name popped up into my head — Evan Engram.

You might be wondering, why on earth were you not in a rage like the rest of us, Alex? I was, but I also realized how many other players were going to see an uptick in targets and production in 2019.

Not only Engram but Sterling Shepard too. The Giants’ tight end saw his total yardage per game doubly from about 40 to 80 when Beckham was off the field last season for the final few games of the regular season. In fact, it’s quite eye-opening how much Eli Manning relied on Beckham to carry the offense.

Manning would oftentimes stop at his first progression without even considering standing in the pocket because of OBJ’s influence. How many times did we see Eli heave throws into triple coverage praying Odell would come down with it while two players were wide open in the flat.

I remember one specific moment against the Carolina Panthers where Eli threw a ball deep downfield into triple coverage while Saquon Barkley was standing in the flat with nobody within 20-yards of him. I’m sure you remember this too. However, I’m not here to talk about OBJ, but rather the players that will benefit from his departure.

If Engram can remain healthy in 2019, he could have a stellar season with increased targets. Shepard as well, considering he’s now the No. 1 option on the team if you put Tate in the No. 2 spot.

Nonetheless–

Your top Giants news of the day!

Chris Pflum (Big Blue View) – Which Giants could have breakout seasons?

Paul Schwartz (New York Post) – Giants’ real camp QB battle is behind Eli Manning and Daniel Jones

Dan Salomone, John Schmeelk, Lance Medow (Giants.com) – 30 questions in 30 days: Shepard-Tate tandem
Alexander Wilson (Empire Sports Media) – New York Giants: 2 scenarios where Daniel Jones starts in 2019
John Fennelly (Giants Wire) – Giants’ Lorenzo Carter added muscle, hopes to play faster in 2019

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New York Giants News, 7/18 – Baker Mayfield has no idea

New York Giants News, 7/18 – Baker Mayfield has no idea

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Baker Mayfield goes after New York Giants fans.

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

Before we get started, let’s get one thing clear, Baker Mayfield has less of a clue about Giants fans that Browns fans do about winning.

If you haven’t seen what Baker said about us, check it out. Fans who actually care…yes, New Yorkers expect production and a winning team, but when you’re in the biggest sports market in the world and have more people per capita than a small farming ranch in Ohio, it starts to make sense.

What Mayfield would have done to enjoy the spotlight of New York — but that’s not what I want to talk about, I want to talk about what we’ve been through with Odell Beckham Jr., and still stood by him. While some voiced their concern, many, including myself, rooted for Beckham despite his madness.

The kicking net, the peeing like a dog celebration, the drugs and girls in Paris, the fighting with Josh Norman, the temper tantrums, the mid-game IVs…we can go on all day. There hasn’t been a lick of drama with the Giants in weeks, I wonder why?

The latest development, Kam Moore, a safety for Big Blue, was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with a woman. He was immediately suspended by the team and will likely be released upon confirmation of the incident. It was one-day news, nothing more. What GM Dave Gettleman has done to turn the organization from a laughing stock to a respectable franchise has been nothing short of impressive.

Again, Giants fans are some of the most loyal fans in the world. Even if we all hate each other for no reason, we all just want our team to be successful at the end of the day. That’s a simple reality, and Mayfield will never be able to experience the love we have to offer. Fortunately for us, Saquon Barkley will.

Nonetheless–

Your top news of the day!

Steve Servy (New York Post) – Welcome to Eli Manning’s last stand

Mike Moraitis (Giants Wire) – 2019 Giants training camp preview: Safeties

Matt Cohen (Giants.com) – Secondary coming together under veteran Bethea

Patricia Traina (Big Blue View) – Value of tight ends keeps increasing for Giants

Alexander Wilson (Empire Sports Media) – New York Giants linebacker could steal playing time from BJ Goodson

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New York Giants News, 7/17 – Where’s the Giants’ primary weakness?

New York Giants new receiver says Eli Manning’s “got a lot of juice left”

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New York Giants, Golden Tate

The New York Giants will journey forward without star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in 2019, and to be quite frank, his departure might help veteran quarterback Eli Manning spread the ball around the field more efficiently. That’s not to say Beckham didn’t influence Manning’s stats exponentially and mask his deficiencies.

However, with a new co-top receiver in Golden Tate, Eli will need to adapt to his style of play and timing running routes. The newly acquired pass-catcher is excited to begin working with the 15-year veteran, stating (NFL.com):

“What I can I see, Eli Manning‘s got a lot of juice left,” Tate told NFL Network’s Scott Hanson on Total Access on Thursday. “He’s still got some zip on his passes.

“I’ve been impressed. I think we have a really good problem. We’ve got a Hall of Fame-type of quarterback in my mind and we also drafted a guy, a young guy, so we don’t need Daniel to come in and save the day. We just need Daniel to stay on pace, learn as much as he possibly can in a great environment and just take it day by day. We don’t need him to come in tomorrow and win a game. We just need him to stay on pace. I think that’s good news in my mind.”

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What does Golden Tate bring to the New York Giants?

Tate, who’s known for his ability to pick up yards after the catch, will be a fantastic security blanket for Manning when the pocket collapses. He’s a solid route runner with extremely dependable hands. Similar to Sterling Shepard, Tate can play in the slot and outside the boundaries.

Having both diverse receivers will open up the playbook for head coach Pat Shurmur and will give Manning more options. Last season, Tate was heavily misused with the Philadelphia Eagles, something that will change with the Giants. In more games with Philly, he racked up half of the number of yards he earned while with Detroit for the first half of the season.

Getting Tate into space is where he shines, and I imagine Shurmur prioritizing that fact.

New York Giants News, 7/13 – Where does the offense rank in fire power?

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New York Giants, Saquon Barkley

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

The Giants trading away superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr. should have hurt their offensive firepower ranking, but it seems as if it has actually bolstered their number.

According to ESPN:

8. New York Giants

2018 rank: No. 2 | 2017: No. 20

“It’s strangely impressive that the Giants managed to be so uninspiring on offense a year ago with one of the best arsenals in football. Obviously, trading away Odell Beckham Jr. is going to make any team’s weaponry worse, but the Giants at least have a short-term solution in Golden Tate, who should help soften the blow of willingly trading away a franchise wideout for … reasons. Both Tate and Sterling Shepard rank in the top eight for receiving yards out of the slot over the past three years, so Pat Shurmur will need to find a way to get both of his starting wideouts time on the inside.”

“The Giants are the first team on this list to rate out as above-average at running back, wide receiver and tight end, though other teams (notably the Packers and Steelers) come close. Evan Engram struggled to stay healthy last season but averaged 9.0 yards per target, which was just ahead of guys like Travis Kelce and Jared Cook. And though Saquon Barkley’s rookie season was less impressive under a microscope, it’s fair to say that the offense was almost entirely dependent upon Barkley for stretches in 2018. With a better offensive line, Barkley could be the most productive back in football in 2019.”

Having Saquon Barkley will help the offense succeed no matter the consequences of losing Beckham. Gaining Tate will also supplement his production to a certain degree.

Nonetheless–

Your top news of the day!

John Fennelly (GMEN HQ) – New York Giants in line for two compensatory draft picks in 2020

Ed Valentine (Big Blue View) – Giants’ 90-man roster: Nate Solder solid, unspectacular at left tackle

Dan Benton (Giants Wire) – Drew Brees thanks Saquon Barkley for setting good example for children

Pat Leonard (New York Daily News) – Giants 2018 film review, week 3: What we learned from Big Blue’s best game of the year

Anthony Rivardo (Empire Sports Media) – New York Giants: Which position suits Julian Love best
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New York Giants offensive is about to take a major step forward

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New York Giants, Eli Manning, Saquon Barkley

After New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman traded away star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. it immediately changed the entire dynamic of the offense led by head coach Pat Shurmur.

Beckham was no longer considered the best player on the unit and his influence against opposing defenses instantly disappeared. However, the Giants have played an entire season without Beckham over the past two seasons, which only attests to their ability to succeed without him.

Running back Saquon Barkley will now be the leader and featured playmaker on the team, and that is a good thing. Focusing on a running back over a wideout allows the offense to not only be more diverse, but more efficient.

Utilizing the run game, play action, and screens will all be a part of the plan for the Giants as they look to succeed post-OBJ era. There’s no question they can achieve even more after his departure, as the offensive line has received reinforcements and they have several capable pass-catchers in Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate.

The New York Giants can trust their star player:

Barkley’s ability to make the right decision on the field and off it instantly makes him the best player and most significant threat. He will draw more defenders to the box which will open up the field for Tate and Shep – both are great in open space and create separation.

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It will take constant efforts to stop the three options. Add in Evan Engram running up the seam and you have a very unpredictable offense that’s capable of dominating in all facets of the game. Again, though, it comes down to Eli Manning and if he’s capable of performing at a high level.

This will be his final opportunity to show he can be the player he once was. The offensive line receiving help should give him more time in the pocket, allowing him to move through his progressions. It will be interesting to see how the offense changes and progresses in its second year under Shurmur.

 

New York Giants News, 7/10 – Saquon Barkley now the offensive leader

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New York Giants, Saquon Barkley

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

With the departure of Odell Beckham Jr., star running back Saquon Barkley is the catalyst on the offense and will demand even more defensive resources.

There are many similarities to Beckham and Barkley, but the biggest difference is their method of leadership. The receiver was very active and vocal in ways that sometimes weren’t ideal, but Barkley always says the right things and is prepared to lead by example in addition to his fiery competitive spirit.

The 2019 season potentially holds great things for the 2018 first round pick, as he earned over 2,000 All-Purpose yards and proved to be one of the best players at his position in the NFL. With a better offensive line and more holes to run through, he has the potential to be an even more effective player in his sophomore season.

The offense will now be his to run and utilize — I anticipate head coach Pat Shurmur game planning around Barkley and keeping the opposing defense on their toes. Diverse wide receivers like Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard will only help the future success of the unit alongside Saquon and his playmaking abilities.

Nonetheless–

Your top news of the day!

Paul Schwartz (New York Post) – The Giants’ offense is now Saquon Barkley’s

Jordan Raanan (ESPN) – New York Giants go way outside the box to find guard Austin Droogsma

Connor McJunkin (GMEN HQ) – Top-5 Quarterbacks the New York Giants Will Face in 2019

Dan Schneier (247 Sports) – 10 questions the Giants must answer before the 2019 season

Ed Valentine (Big Blue View) – Giants’ 90-man roster: “Violent inside banger” Chris Slayton adds depth to defensive line

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New York Giants News, 7/9 – Nate Solder is the catalyst on offensive line

How the New York Giants can make the playoffs in 2019

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New York Giants, Eli Manning

The New York Giants making the playoffs in 2019 after a 5-11 campaign last season seems like a tall task, but the reality is, it’s not impossible, and it’s actually more probable than one might think.

The Giants continued on their youth agenda this year, choosing to trade Odell Beckham Jr. in favor of draft picks to help secure multiple positions of need. Drafting interior defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence to hold down the trenches and acquiring safety Jabrill Peppers to play a diverse role in the secondary will help improve the team.

The bolstering of the offensive line will also prove to pay dividends for Eli Manning in the pocket and Saquon Barkley in the run game. In fact, this might be the most impactful factor of all in the season ahead. More time for Manning to operate in the pocket and move through his progressions could be exactly what the doctor ordered, as we’ve seen him falter at the hands of opposing pass-rushers in recent years.

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Let’s rank the 5 most impactful improvements this offseason for the New York Giants:

1.) Offensive line

2.) Cornerbacks

3.) Safeties

4.) Added experience for youth

5.) Special teams improvement

More time, better coverage in the secondary, less of a deep ball threat from opposing offenses, NFL experience for 2018 draft picks, and a further improvement of the special teams.

These are all of the factors that must play a part in the growth of the team — determining the outcome of the 2019 season and if the playoffs are really a possibility. The deficiencies are still present, however, in some aspects.

CHECK OUT THE ESM STORE FOR AWESOME DESIGNS! 

The pass-rushers and defensive line are unproven and still young. They will need this upcoming season to progress and develop a sense of chemistry with one another. Lawrence will be a primary cog in the defense this year — they’re expecting him to be a force as a pass rusher as well as a run stopper, but his low sack totals last season don’t indicate his proficiency in this area.

I expect it will take him a bit of time to elevate his effectiveness when it comes to rushing the passer, but his influence will be beneficial and improve the defensive front. As a whole, I do believe this team is better than the one from last season, but I don’t think they’re a playoff-caliber team just yet.

My prediction is a 7-9 or 8-8 record, missing the playoffs but showing heart and resilience against tougher competition.

The secondary will be flawed at times as DeAndre Baker learns his role and adapts to NFL-level competition. The wide receivers are still in flux and the No. 3 option hasn’t shaken out yet. Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard will both be interchangeable as the top pass-catcher, but losing Beckham hurts the offense as a whole.

It will be interesting to see how the team compensates for the loss of their best player (arguably) and how they respond to his loss of production.

 

New York Giants News, 7/7 – Receiver corps is better than it seems

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New York Giants, Sterling Shepard

Good Morning, New York Giants Fans!

The Giants lit up this past free agency period with a trade that sent star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns. Gaining a solid haul of draft picks and safety Jabrill Peppers could prove to hold more value, but one unit that certainly loses out is the receivers.

However, signing Golden Tate and extending Sterling Shepard presents optimism. The duo is diverse and capable of playing in the slot and on the boundary. The unpredictability and efficiency of both receivers should open up a door for Eli Manning that doesn’t require him to force-feed Beckham every week.

The simple fact about Beckham was that he required constant attention and pass-attempts, due to his elite talent. Having star running back Saquon Barkley, though, should present more than enough talent to compensate for the loss of Beckham, and the receiving corps isn’t even a deficiency.

Giants’ Russell Shepard went as far as to say:

“[The competition is] amazing, especially in the receiver room,” Shepard said, via Giants.com. “You’ve got a bunch of guys, obviously people know the Sterling Shepards, the Golden Tates of the world, but you have people like Cody Latimer, Bennie Fowler, and the list goes on of guys who want to prove what they can do and show why they deserve to be on this team.”

There’s hope when it comes to this group, as they have more than enough talent to succeed.

Nonetheless–

Your Giants top news of the day!

Dan Benton (Giants Wire) – Giants’ Russell Shepard: Don’t sleep on this group of receivers

Anthony Rivardo (Empire Sports Media) – New York Giants: Dexter Lawrence Is An Underrated Pass-Rusher

Dan Pizzuta (Big Blue View) – Ranking how NFC East teams are set up for future at offensive line

Dan Benton (Giants Wire) – Austin Droogsma: All I need is time to prove myself to Giants

Matt Lombardo (NJ.com) – Why Evan Engram is the Giants’ ‘secret weapon’

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New York Giants News, 7/6 – Corey Coleman V Cody Latimer