Mailbag: Giants injury updates, Eli Manning, fullback competition and more

Another weekend, another 'Mailbag.' The New York Giants are more than halfway through OTAs and training camp is about six weeks away. with those things in mind, let's see what questions you have this week.

What is the issue with Will Beatty's leg (and please don't say he broke it)?  If he broke it on Dec 29, he has had 23 weeks for it to heal.  Most breaks take 8 weeks.  Ok, he is a big guy and probably needs more time to make sure that it can support his bulk and then the rehab to be in game shape.  I get that.  But 23 weeks plus what ever is still to come makes it sound more serious than just a break.  What's going on? -- CTBIGBLUE

Answer: Beatty suffered a fractured right tibia, but apparently no ligament damage. He had surgery in early January. Recovery times vary, but I have seen everything from three to six months. He is walking around with no discomfort, and there is no reason for him to rush to get on the field right now when he isn't yet 100 percent. There is no cause for alarm at this point. Remember, this is a 320-pound man so it shouldn't be a surprise that a recovery like this would take a bit of time. The Giants expect Beatty to be ready for training camp. If he is still not available well into training camp, then there would be cause for worry.

OK, it is OTAs and there is not alot that you can tell about the players. However, they are wearing helmets which is a step above the underwear worn during the combine. So here you go. How well is Snee moving around on his surgically repaired hip? On days he works out, is he doing football moves in the positional drills (even if he is not in during the 7-7 and 11-11)? -- CTBIGBLUE

Answer: Chris Snee took a precautionary day off during OTAs this past week, and some Giants fans freaked out thinking that it was a clear sign the veteran guard won't be ready to play this season. That's nonsense! Snee is far, far ahead of where he was last year at this time. He has been taking reps with the first team on a regular basis and, in the OTA I did witness, didn't seem to be in any discomfort. As for the day off, what's the fuss? The season is three months away, the guy is recovering from hip surgery and there is zero reason to push too hard right now. Like any veteran player who has had injuries, he will need to be 'managed' a bit, and that's why he had the day off. He is getting plenty of work. The real question with Snee will be how he holds up when the pads come on and when the games begin.

I see a lot of speculation on the site about Eli's ability (or lack of ability) to complete the short/intermediate passes. Is that a legitimate concern? It seems like that would be the easiest type of completion for a skilled QB to make regularly? -- Dave Bleecker

Answer: Yes, it's a legitimate concern. In the NFL 'short' does not necessarily mean 'easy.' The issue is first and foremost the style of the offense. Manning is used to taking the five- and seven-step drop, or taking the snap from the shotgun, surveying the field and taking the intermediate to deep route -- the biggest chunk of real estate available -- whenever possible. Under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo the Giants will likely be asking him to alter his approach. More three-step drops. More taking the ball from under center and dropping back to throw. Those things require precise footwork, an area where Manning can occasionally get sloppy. They require a quick release with exact timing, not sitting in the pocket and examining your options. In short areas there can also be a high volume of traffic. The windows to throw into can be small, so the throws have to be placed properly.

Can Manning do these things? Sure he can. The quick-drop, rhythm passing likely to be required in the new offense, though, has not been Manning's forte over the first decade of his career. Making the big play, being unafraid to make the risky deep throw is what he has done best. This offense requires a different skill set, and mind set.

How are things looking at the fullback position? Think Hyno has the edge right? -- Joe Santer (via Facebook)

Answer: No, I don't Henry Hynoski has the edge over John Conner. You are rooting with your heart there and not actually looking at what is going on. Then again, I don't think Conner has the edge, either. First of all, these guys are in shorts and t-shirts in non-contact practices. The job of a fullback is to hit people and knock them out of the way, and that is something they can't do right now. So, the competition is impossible to judge. If both are healthy it is going to come down to what the Giants want in a fullback. Hynoski and his fans don't want to hear this, but Conner is the more devastating blocker. If it's pure blocking the Giants want, Conner gets the job. Hynoski is the more versatile. If the Giants want to throw the ball, or hand it, to the fullback as part of their offense then Hynoski is the better fit. This one is absolutely too close to call.

@bigblueview Ed, do you think the emphasis on leaders and quality people in the draft had anything to do with Hill/Hosley #bbvmailbag

— William Reed (@billreed7070) June 6, 2014

Answer: That is an easy assumption to make, and very likely a correct one. I think it goes beyond the issues with those two players, however. The Giants have missed on some draft choices in recent years, with Jayron Hosley looking like one of those misses. Part of the reason could well be work ethic and the ability/willingness of those players to learn. CEO John Mara had raised the possibility of taking fewer risks, and GM Jerry Reese kept emphasizing that the Giants took "clean" players in this draft. Part of that, I believe, was to minimize some of the risk inherent in any draft choice. Part of that, I believe, was also because the draft was held so late this season -- and practice time is already so limited by the CBA -- that you want players you believe will be able to adapt and learn quickly.