Tag Archives: 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.

(more…)

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 |

Ralph Vacchiano at the Daily News reports via the “Blue Screen’s” twitter that Mario Manningham “might not go tonight” because of his groin issues.

Manningham’s absence would help deplete an already slim group of WR/TE’s.  By now you are likely all aware that only one true TE (Bear Pascoe) will be suiting up but Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, and Tim Brown are also staying in sweatpants.

Manningham has all but cemented a top three receiving slot but Moss and Brown cannot afford to miss time.  Neither can young TE’s Jake Ballard or Scott Chandler who would have had a golden oppurtunity to convince the brass that Travis Beckum (also out) isn’t a priority come final cut day.

If Manningham does sit out, Derek Hagan and Victor Cruz will have plenty of reps to make an impression.

Tagged Mario Manningham, Sinorice Moss, Travis Beckum |

Losing Domenik Hixon will sting. That much is obvious. Perhaps the best reserve receiver in the league, the former Akron Zip was a starter on the Giants depth chart this time last year.

Most of the worry has been directed towards the gaping hole in the return game. Hixon’s knack for pulling off spectacular run backs has aided the Giants on several occasions. Thus, the previously mentioned concern is well placed.

Despite this, the hole at receiver should not be overlooked. The Giants, a club that rarely uses a fourth receiver on any given play, was headed into their 2010 training camp with five receivers already guaranteed a roster spot. Now, the team is down to only four set names (Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Ramses Barden) and there will be room for competition among the bubble players.

Hixon’s absence, however, will dramatically alter the odds for the players vying to fill out the receiving corps. Perhaps the most affected player will be Derek Hagan.

Hagan had the edge over the perennial disappointment, Sinorice Moss before Hixon went down. The coaching staff is very high on him. His 8 catches and 1 TD last season coupled with his special teams play and work ethic have caught Tom Coughlin’s eye. At 6’2”, Hagan wouldn’t be considered tall by NFL standards but should Barden be unready to contribute, he would be the tallest receiver on the field for New York.

With Hixon doubling as a true receiver and return man, there was no need to search for another special team receiver. The better overall player would round out the corps and that player was certainly Hagan.

In four seasons, Moss has compiled less than 40 catches for under 500 yards. His only touchdowns (3) have occurred when games were already well in hand. His small statue and average speed have mysteriously not hindered him from making the roster in the stead of more talented reserves.

One area that Moss can contribute in however, is kick returns. With Hixon out this may be the diminutive’s player’s most recent saving grace when the final axe falls. But why should this cost Hagan his job?

Last season, New York carried 7 receivers into September but that may not be the case this year. Should Rhett Bomar continue to improve, the Giants intend to carry a 3rd QB for the first time since 2007. This obviously would cost a roster spot.

Unlike last year, the Giants do not necessarily enjoy the comfort of depth at RB. The same cast is returning, but it is highly unlikely that both of the starting two backs will be able to play in 16 straight games.

Ahmad Bradshaw could very well be running on borrowed time due to his previously shattered ankles. His bow legged running style has officials and analysts worried that another devastating injury will likely befall him. Brandon Jacobs is also returning from an injury plagued season. The 6’4” back saw his yards per carry drop from an impressive 5 to a pedestrian 3.7 over the past year.

With reserve backs D.J Ware and Andre Brown also prone to injury, New York may elect to carry Gartrell Johnson as a 5th back. A 5th back would severely handcuff the club from retaining a surplus of receivers.

On paper, Hagan still seems to be in good shape. Even if Moss’s return skills became a priority, he would be listed as the 6th man. Unfortunately for the former Dolphin, he has more than the officially listed receivers to contend with.

The Giants seem intent on continuing the Travis Beckum experiment. Despite his 6’3” 239 lb frame Beckum is considered a TE on the depth chart. The other TE’s include Kevin Boss (6’6” 253 lbs), Bear Pascoe (6’5” 251 lbs) Scott Chandler (6’7” 265 lbs).

Beckum managed to haul in 8 catches for 55 yards as a rookie, which is respectable for a mid-round draft choice working with limited playing time. He doesn’t deserve to be cut but if both Pascoe and Scott Chandler have solid camps it might not be wise for New York to dedicate a TE spot to a player barely big enough to play the position at the college level.

The truth is, Beckum is not an NFL TE. He is a receiver and should be used as such. The organization made clear in a recent video post that it has no plans whatsoever of lining him up with the O-line as a blocker. When not split out as a slot receiver, he will be used as a backfield pass option.

What does this mean for the receiving position battles come camp? Beckum may just find himself officially considered a receiver by mid August.

Beckum should show that he can be a solid target for Manning in multiple receiver sets. He displayed decent hands in ’09. If he can show impressive speed over the coming month, he may just earn a significant amount of playing time as a possession slot option.

Unlike Hagan, Beckum was drafted by the organization. A satisfactory showing by the young Beckum could overrule a stellar showing by Hagan. Beckum’s versatility as a backfield threat also gives Coughlin the opportunity to reboot the plans he had for Jeremy Shockey in 2004.

Hoping to establish a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield, Coughlin placed the TE in a FB position. Shockey publicly denounced the strategy and it soon ceased to be employed.

Should Beckum impress, the Giants may simply have no room for Hagan, who’s value will be especially diminished if Barden can prove that he is ready to play. AT 6’6,” Barden would provide all the height needed downfield and in the red zone. It should be noted though that the team is no longer as high on Barden as they were this spring. The organization had expected a Manningham-like sophomore season. Unfortunately for the second year player, it appears that he still is making critical mental errors on the practice field.

Hagan’s last saving grace could very well lie in the secondary.

More than likely, Aaron Ross will be willingly returning kicks. He has not only showed an interest in the job, but he also enjoyed success in this area during his college career. Ross is also slated to be the third corner in 2010 due to Terrell Thomas’s performance as a starter last year while the former Texas star was injured. Tom Coughlin avoids letting starters contribute on special teams due to the high risk of injury and for this reason, the speedy Manningham will probably be spared a shot at the extra responsibility.

Ross, though is injury prone. The return game can be a breeding ground for injuries due to the open shots defenders have on players fielding kicks. The other reserve players being considered for the job are also injury prone (Ware, Bradshaw).

Hagan may follow the footsteps of David Tyree by camp’s end. The former Super Bowl hero was a quality player but simply couldn’t beat the numbers game. It could be argued that he should have survived cuts while Moss was sent on his way, but in the end a quality player was shown the door.

The Giants have expressed interest in keeping Hagan and will do everything possible to do so. Hagan, however, is in an unfortunate situation. Most players can earn a roster spot with a solid training camp performance. Hagan will have to depend on the successful or unsuccessful performances of others in order to retain his job.

Tagged Derek Hagan, Domenik Hixon, giants, Sinorice Moss, Travis Beckum |

Giants.com has reported that the Giants have signed 3rd round pick TE Travis Beckum. To make room for the rookie, free agent defensive end Alex Field was waived.

Beckum is the 5th draft pick to sign on, leaving four of the nine draft picks, including 1st rounder Hakeem Nicks, still unsigned.

In 30 games for Wisconsin, Beckum compiled 159 receptions for 2,149 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 159 receptions ranks him 3rd all time in Badger history in receptions behind former Wisco stars Lee Evans and Brandon Williams.

Behind starter Kevin Boss, the Giants are somewhat thin and unproven at the TE position, having just released veteran George Wrightster.

Having two guys who can catch the ball well out of the TE position would be a huge bonus for a Giant team that really has not had that in recent history. Look for the Giants to incorporate some more double TE packages in training camp and the pre-season.

Tagged Travis Beckum |

Greetings from your newest Giants football blogger! I’m Patricia Traina, Editor of Inside Football, an accredited, independent publication that covers the New York Giants. From time to time, I’ll pop in to share tidbits, observations, quotes, and other goodies that I collect from my visits to Giants central. I hope you enjoy what I have to offer in the way of information!

For my first blog, here is a quick snapshot of how I thought the Giants’ 2009 draft class looked during this past weekend’s rookie mini camp.

WR Hakeem Nicks: The first rounder came as advertised – very polished. He’s not very tall, but he plays “big.” He’s not afraid to go into traffic and he has good concentration, especially in traffic where he successfully used his body to shield the ball from the defender.

LB Clint Sintim: He worked  on the strong side, and from what I could tell, this kid definitely has a nose for the ball. He diagnosed quite a few plays correctly, though he always wasn’t in a position to make the play. Still he showed great hustle and I think once he puts it all together, he is going to be just fine.

OT Will Beatty: I was surprised to see him exclusively at right tackle as he’s supposedly the future at left tackle. Beatty is a big guy, but he said that they want him to get a little bit bigger. I thought he played a little high at times, but there is definitely some talent there to work with and he does have a very good attitude.

WR Ramses Barden: Definitely a man amongst boys, especially during the 11-on-11s. He still rounds off some routes, but he does a nice job of using his height to his advantage. In fact, they had him running a few corner fades in the end zone.

TE Travis Beckum: I thought he had a quiet camp. He lined up at tight end and at times was split out wide. He also had some problems disengaging from coverage, but the tools are definitely there. He has nice size and did a nice job using his body to shield the ball from the defender on his pass receptions.

RB André Brown: I was very impressed with this young running back. He showed good quickness and vision with finding the hole. I think this kid could be the steal of the draft for the Giants, who got incredible value with this pick.

QB Rhett Bomar: I immediately noticed his unusual throwing style – he has a bit of a side-armed motion. He really zips the ball to his receivers and I think the speed of his passes caught a few guys off guard.  Head coach Tom Coughlin indicated that QB Coach Chris Palmer will work with Bomar to correct his throwing motion.

DeAndre Wright / Stoney Woodson: Of the two drafted corners, I thought Wright was more impressive. In one drill, the defensive backs had to come out of their backpedal, turn around, and make a catch, Wright caught the ball with no problem. Woodson, meanwhile, seemed to fight the ball at times, and tended to leave his feet.

Be sure to stop by at my other “home,” Train-a Thought. You can also follow my Giants updates at Twitter, where my ID is Inside_Football.

Till next time!

Tagged Andre Brown, Clint Sintim, Giants 2009 Draft Class, Giants Rookie Mini Camp, Hakeem Nicks, Ramses Barden, Rhett Bomar, Travis Beckum, Will Beatty | Newer posts →