Tag Archives: Travis Beckum
Lost in the excitement last night were the serious knee injuries to Giants’ TEs Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard….
Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum were standing together as everyone else ran around on the field.
Their celebration was much simpler: a congratulatory tap of their crutches.
The Giants’ tight ends both suffered serious knee injuries tonight in the team’s 21-17 Super Bowl XLVI victory over the New England Patriots. Ballard tore his meniscus cartilage while Beckum tore his right anterior cruciate ligament. Neither returned to the game, leaving Bear Pascoe as the last man standing.
“The Super Bowl (victory) is good medicine for the injury,” Ballard said.
Tagged Jake Ballard, New York Giants, Travis Beckum |
Giants TE Travis Beckum is perhaps the most frustrated – and frustrating – player on the Giants roster these days. The third-year player, who was drafted in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft as part of the response to fill the void created by the departure of Plaxico Burress, has yet to show the Giants and their fans why he warranted such a high selection.
In his first two seasons, Beckum has been in and out of the lineup, only catching 21 passes for 171 yards and two TDs. Injuries – mainly hamstrings – have hampered Beckum’s development has a pro and have also cramped the Giants’ grandiose plans for him as an H-back and a slot receiver.
The Giants had finally found a niche for Beckum in their offense and were planning on riding him in the opener last week in Washington. It didn’t happen. Beckum did not play due to a left hamstring strain.
When Tom Coughlin was asked yesterday if Beckum was going to be back on the field soon, he replied: “Beckum is Beckum”, meaning the kid was hurt again and no one knows when he’ll be back….
Beckum spoke to reporters yesterday at TIMEX
Tagged New York Giants Blogs, New York Giants News, Travis Beckum |
It might not be a stretch to say that tonight’s pre-season game against the Bears is the biggest game of tight end Travis Beckum’s career. Although many fans and journalists have counted him out, the Giants still have some hope for the 2009 third round pick. And Beckum himself foresees a big role for himself in this year’s offense.
In Zach Berman’s article on NJ.com, Beckum contends that he can still be a major asset in the Giants’ passing game, while also taking on a larger role as a blocker.
“I’m going to be in a lot more,” Beckum said. “A lot of times last year, teams would just put in a nickel package when I came in. But there’ll be games when I run much more run plays than I did past. And I think that’s good, being diverse.”
Jerry Reese has also given Beckum a vote of confidence, stating that Kevin Boss‘ tally of 35 receptions in 2010 should be easily attainable for Beckum in 2011. Perhaps Reese believes Beckum will break out in his third year. Or maybe it’s just a case of the general manager not giving up on his own draft pick despite his lack of production in any definition of the word.
One thing is for sure: Beckum will need to take a massive step forward this year if he is going to hold down the starting job. As the Giants will soon prepare to trim the roster, tonight’s game versus the Bears could be his biggest chance to prove that he belongs. While I admittedly have more hope than others when it comes to Beckum, I’ll certainly need him to “show me something” tonight.
Tagged Travis Beckum |
As Giants fans lament the loss of TE Kevin Boss, one of the tight ends in line to replace Boss is just trying to make his impact felt. Travis Beckum, a third-year TE out of Wisconsin, is feeling himself out as he tries to make his presence be known on the field.
Beckum, who has been battling injuries lately, just wants to get at it and is ready for real game action.
“I am anxious to get out there,” Beckum told Giants.com. “It has been a while with the whole lockout stuff, but I am anxious to get out there and play and have some fun.”
It takes no brain surgeon to know that tight end is a major area of concern for the Giants. Boss represented a nice safety valve for quarterback Eli Manning. As of now, the Giants haven’t filled the void competently and are trotting out the likes of Beckum, Jake Ballard, Daniel Coats and Bear Pascoe to collectively fill Boss’ void.
In two years in the league, Beckum has accumulated only 21 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
Tagged Travis Beckum |
By now you know that tight end Kevin Boss has signed with the Oakland Raiders, receiving a 4-year deal worth $16 million. Naturally, Tom Coughlin was asked about the impact of losing the three-year starter.
“The guys that are here are going to have to prove to us that we can continue and run the offense that we want to run,” Coughlin said per the Star-Ledger’s Zack Berman. “If we have to make adjustments, we’ll do it.”
It appears Travis Beckum is now the No. 1 option at tight end with Coughlin saying the third-year pro needs to be more consistent. Coughlin would not say if the team would look outside the organization for help at the position.
Tagged Kevin Boss, New York Giants, Travis Beckum |
With free agency (hopefully) around the corner, the Giants will soon have to decide whether or not they want to pursue free agent Plaxico Burress. A lot of factors will go into this decision, not the least of which is the current wide receiver core. Let’s take a look:
Duke Calhoun, Michael Clayton, Derek Hagan, Jerrel Jernigan, Mario Manningham, Hakeem Nicks, Devin Thomas, Ramses Barden, Victor Cruz, Domenik Hixon, Steve Smith, Travis Beckum
Yes, I am aware that Travis Beckum was drafted as a tight end/H-back, but the Giants don’t use the H-back and he can’t cut it as a tight end. At this point, his best shot to make the team is as a slot receiver.
Tagged 2011, Devin Thomas, Domenik Hixon, Duke Calhoun, giants, Hakeem Nicks, jerrel jurnigan, Mario Manningham, michael clayton, NFL, Plaxico Burress, Ramses Barden, Steve Smith, Travis Beckum, Victor Cruz |
The release of Bryan Kehl was the fourth surprising cut by the Giants over the past two weeks.
Kehl has the look of a prototypical linebacker. A standout in BYU’s 3-4 scheme as an outside pass rusher, he has yet to break through as an NFL player. It can be argued that Kehl’s raw talent was hampered by his landing spot come draft day. Of all the 4-3 defenses to be brought into, the Giants were the worst fit.
It is no secret that the Giants have been carrying at least four top level defensive ends since the 2007 campaign. This year the total grew to five with the addition of Jason Pierre-Paul. For a mid-level draft pick striving to see the field, the opportunities were slim. When other defenses might have dialed up a rush from an extra linebacker, the Giants simply placed another DE in the spot.
His release is still odd considering that the Giants activated him instead of veteran Gerris Wilkinson for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Either Kehl played poorly enough on kick coverage to warrant being dismissed or perhaps parting ways was considered the best option for both parties. Kehl belongs in a 3-4 scheme and is likely to find a fair share of suitors very shortly.
Tagged Andre Brown, Bryan Kehl, Derek Hagan, Domenik Hixon, jay alford, Kevin Boss, Ramses Barden, Travis Beckum |
The current locks to make the team at TE are of course Kevin Boss and Bear Pascoe. Boss, who has been an asset since his rookie year, has the toughness of Jeremy Shockey without the hubris. He also has taken his share of lumps and the nature of his position leaves him pretty nicked up by game’s end.
Boss is only a few months removed from surgery and while he is one of Eli’s favorite targets, it may be wise for the organization to retain three TEs. It is not a stretch to assume that Boss will have to miss some time this season due to injury despite his toughness and ability.
Pascoe, who will certainly be the top understudy, is also an extremely physical player. The young Pascoe is inexperienced but after starting his career in San Francisco, will have an opportunity to see significant on field time in New York.
The real quandary lies with Scott Chandler. Chandler entered camp battling Jake Ballard for the 3rd TE spot. With Ballard being waived due to a nagging injury, the slot would appear to be Chandler’s.
Tagged Bear Pascoe, Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss, Scott Chandler, Travis Beckum |
If you’ve been paying attention over the past two days, you
are well aware of the mounting injuries infesting the Giants locker room. The injuries are hampering nearly every
position group and with September fast approaching, the Giants front office has a mess on its hands.
In a matter of days, the organization will be forced to finalize the 53 man roster and thus compile a rough depth chart. The injury to Aaron Ross, cripples the team.
Ross is suffering from plantar fasciitis, the same injury Eli Manning played through (successfully) a year ago. Unfortunately, Manning is far from a scrambling
QB and while it may have been tough to fight through, Manning never had to truly test his injured foot.
Ross depends on his feet to play all three of the positions that the Giants are counting on him for (cornerback, reserve safety,
returner). If Ross needs to miss significant time because his injury precludes him from cutting or running at a fast enough speed,
the Giants will lose another multi-use player of value.
Tagged Aaron Ross, Antrel Rolle, Corey Webster, Kenny Phillips, Scott Chandler, Terrell Thomas, Tim Brown, Travis Beckum, Victor Cruz |
A 7 point loss?…we’ll take it. This was no ordinary game for the Giants. No the game didn’t count. However, meaningless or not, the Giants found themselves with their back to the wall in the early month of August.
A 24-17 defeat is not exactly disappointing when you consider the circumstances. New York played the entire game with a third string QB. How many times have you witnessed a third string QB even play a series at the pro level, let alone an entire game?
That said, here’s what we learned:
-Rhett Bomar had an oppurtunity to solidify a roster spot and perhaps the nod for immediate backup to Manning. He struggled tonight and despite some good plays, including an impressive deep toss to Steve Smith in tight coverage, Bomar did not play up to par. He seemed to struggle more agasint Pittsburgh’s reserve players and was unable to keep a critical pass to Tim Brown in bounds on the final drive. In a regular season game, his play would be unnaceptable.
I still expect a veteran QB to be brought in after final cuts. The Giants waited on two major free agent signings this year (Keith Bulluck and ShawnAndrews). Just because they didn’t look to make a deal this week, don’t overlook the possiblity of a veteran presence being added.
Even if Jim Sorgi is healthy by Week 1, the fact remains that he is a veteran with very limited “hands on” experience. Bomar is a young player with very little experience period.
If Kerry Collins is cut by the Titans, the Giants will likely be interested.
-Victur Cruz was unable to match his explosive first game. His single catch for 10 yards coupled with his botched punt returns likely didn’t wow the coaching staff. He’s a work in progress but he is probably still in good shape roster wise.
Sinorice Moss was barely used tonight (if at all). Regadless of Moss, Cruz has shown the same amount if not more potential that Moss has in a fifth of the time. The Giants want to see what the young man can do. There is no sense in cutting him, only to see him wind up with another team as a main offensive weapon (see Ryan Grant, Packers 2007).
There are two other threats to Cruz’s claim for the final WR spot. Rutgers alum Tim Brown had a nice catch towards the end of the game. Unfortunately, that catch came on the same throw mentioned earlier by Bomar. The ball sailed too close to the sidelines for anyone to haul in with both feet in. Brown is likely headed to the practice squad. His main selling point this training camp was his return game prowess. He hasn’t been used thus far in a game situation as a return man though. The Giants like him and if he clears waivers they’ll have an oppurtunity to keep him.
Travis Beckum is also an indirect challenge to Cruz’s spot. Beckum is techinically a TE. However, he has promise as a slot receiver. He also showe some nice blocking ability tonight. despite being undersized. If the Giants choose to bring in 3 true TE’s and Beckum, Cruz might run into problems. This isn’t likely though. Scott Chandler isn’t making noise.
-DJ Ware was carted off the field waving and smiling to the fans. In all seriousness, that may have been because he was completely out of it. The Giants confirmed that Ware did in fact suffer anotehr concussion tonight. Ware makes Sinorice Moss looks like a pictures of health. He simply can’t stay off the injury report. For this reason, and the fact that he has now suffered multiple concussions, the Giants may have to part ways with him (or at least place him on IR). Aaron Ross’s big return tonight could help him solidify a return job, which would lessen the need for Ware on the roster. That said, Ross may see time as a starter this year and at the very least he’d be the nickel corner. Andre Brown will have to nail down the other return job for the Giants to feel comfortable.
-The defensive line made a statement on the opening drives. Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora had a good night and made plays in the backfield. Chris Canty got decent pressure, as did Rocky Bernard. Bernard helped the Giants escape the first half with a goal line stand when he laid on top of the Steeler ball carrier an extra few seconds to keep the click winding down to 0:00.
Interestingly enough, Jay Alford entered the game after Linval Joseph. It would appear that the Orange, NJ native is now 5th on the depth chart at DT. Jason Pierre-Paul flashed potential tonight, but left the crowd wanting more. He let a sure sack slip through his grasp.
-Kenny Phillips and Keith Bulluck played 1 series during the first half. Bulluck, making his Giants debut was in on a tackle deep in the redzone. Phillips looked good after nearly a year away. The Giants hope that both him and Antrel Rolle become a staple tandem in the backfield for years to come. Both players have enormous potential and both players are from the legendary U.
Tagged Aaron Ross, Andrew Brown, Antrel Rolle, DJ Ware, Jason Pierre-Paul, Jim Sorgi, Justin Tuck, Keith Bulluck, Kenny Phillips, Linval Joseph, Osi Umenyiora, Rhett Bomar, Rocky Bernard, Sinorice Moss, Steve Smith, Tim Brown, Travis Beckum, Victor Cruz | ← Older posts
