When the New York Giants drafted the 6’0 194lb wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from LSU in the first round of the NFL draft back in April of this year, they knew they just landed a potential big time play-maker on their roster. Beckham has great speed and plays much bigger than his six foot frame because he has a knack for leaping up and snagging the football at the highest point, something not a lot of receivers do. He also has great hands as well as keen football instincts to make plays after the catch. Many were excited about his potential, but they would have to wait until Week 5 of this season to see it in action.
Beckham suffered a troublesome hamstring injury in training camp earlier this year and was sidelined for the entire preseason. Many were starting to worry if Beckham would ever live up to his potential or if he would be a draft bust who can’t stay healthy. Longtime fans probably started remembering the ghosts of Sinorice Moss and Ramses Barden hoping that history wouldn’t repeat itself.
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There was concern and frustration from the Giants coaching staff over Beckham’s injury because hamstring injuries tend to take time to heal and can become problematic if not given enough rest.
The coaches honestly believed that it was imperative for the rookie to get onto the practice field to get the rust off. It’s ideally the only real way to develop some chemistry with quarterback Eli Manning while the team learned a new offensive scheme.
When it finally became time for Beckham to suit up in Week 5 at home versus the Atlanta Falcons, all eyes were on the youngster to come in and provide an explosiveness that can stretch the field that the Giants offense was lacking up to that point. Thousands of loyal fans all collectively breathed a sigh of relief when Manning and Beckham connected 4 times for 44 yards and the rookie’s first NFL touchdown catch.
He played exactly how he was advertised to play and gave Giants fans hope that this team finally had a big time play maker at receiver that can score at any time. Head coach Tom Coughlin informed him that his touchdown would be the first of many for him for he knew the high caliber player that Beckham can potentially be. All it takes is the right leadership to really develop him towards greatness.
In the two games that followed, Beckham totaled a combined 6 receptions for 72 yards and 2 touchdowns, giving him a total of 10 receptions for 106 yards and 3 touchdowns in only three games played. Not bad for a rookie that missed the entire preseason and stepped in while the team was in the middle of learning a new offense. Many figured that this season would be a developmental year for Beckham who will show glimpses of what he will bring to this team as he progresses into next season. That all changed however when the team lost their top receiver and team captain Victor Cruz for the season to a devastating knee injury in their Week 6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Now more has been added to the role of Beckham as he is now looked upon to be an every week play-maker for a Giants team that is trying to fill a massive void at receiver. Beckham will now be a starter on the outside next to fellow receiver Reuben Randle with another receiver Preston Parker getting the first crack at the slot receiver position.
Wide receivers coach Sean Ryan said recently “I said to Odell, ‘You’re rookie season is over now. You’re not a rookie anymore. Congratulations: you’re a vet.'” Ryan also stated, “The talent’s there, it’s clear to see. But the details have to come now, and they have to come quick. There’s no time. He’s a competitor. He’s going to push himself. He’s got that desire to get things right.”
“You’re not a rookie anymore. Congratulations: you’re a vet.” – New York Giants Wide Receivers Coach Sean Ryan
That statement must hold true if the Giants wish to sneak into the playoffs currently sitting at 3-4 with a tough schedule ahead in a tough NFC conference. Beckham has indeed been putting in the extra work by spending more time in the film room and working extra one-on-one time with Manning. This means that Beckham is maturing quickly for he understands the large role he will have to take on and he is doing all he can to prepare and help take this team to the promised land.
Beckham is a very disciplined, detail oriented player who likes to work on every little detail in order to perfect his game. It’s extremely rare to find such work ethic in a rookie and the Giants desperately need that in a player for it sets an example for the rest of the team to work as hard as they can to improve. They will have to do so because the season is halfway over and time is running out for Big Blue to get into the playoffs for the first time since their storied 2011 championship run.