Giants news, 5/23: OTA updates, Odell’s contract, helmet rule, more

Good morning, New York Giants fans! Lots to read about this morning, so let’s get right to the headlines.

Naturally quiet, Nate Solder is already finding his voice as the leader of the Giants’ offensive line – The Athletic
"Sometimes the guy that doesn’t say as much leads better than the guy that talks a lot," Pat Shurmur said of the team's big-ticket offseason free agency pickup. [Subscription only]

Landon Collins senses a different Giants regime and likes it | Newsday

“They don’t want no [expletive],” Collins said on Tuesday before an event for Thuzio in Manhattan when asked about the impact of new head coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Dave Gettleman. “Honestly, that’s the thing. They want people who want to win, they want people who want to play, they want people who are hungry and are going to go on the field and do their thing. It’s more positive, it’s more get-after-it, and I would say back to the Giants way.”

Was that missing last year?

“I think so. I think so, yeah.”

Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack must get PAID, but Odell Beckham ... - NFL.com

I don't really care that Beckham showed up to organized team activities this week. Yes, the three-time Pro Bowl wideout skipped these voluntary workouts last year. And yes, it doesn't hurt that he's trying to make nice with new head coach Pat Shurmur.

But am I supposed to forget about the concerning video that leaked in March? What about all of the shenanigans -- on and off the field -- that I documented in a column one year ago? Or the ankle injury that forced him to miss the last 12 games of last season? Or the fact that I've won as many playoff games as Odell?

Set to make $8.459 million in the last year of his rookie contract, Beckham desires a lucrative long-term deal before the new seasons begins. I say the Giants should take a wait-and-see approach here. Have the 25-year-old play out the season.

Beckham's a remarkable talent with Hall of Fame-caliber skills. But there's always something that distracts from winning.

Here's why these underrated rookies will make an impact on their NFL teams in 2018 - CBSSports.com

R.J. McIntosh, DT, Giants

Watch Miami's game against Notre Dame from a season ago. Focus on the inside. Quenton Nelson, one of the most decorated, highly sought after guard prospects in some time, certainly played well in that game despite the overall poor performance from the Fighting Irish, but there were a few reps in which McIntosh utilized a swift swim move against the most recent No. 6 overall pick and made him look silly. At nearly 6-5 and 286 pounds with long arms and an impressive first step, McIntosh has the size and skill set to thrive as an inside rusher in nickel for the Giants. He accumulated 12.5 tackles for loss in 2017. Ahead of him on the Giants depth chart are Damon Harrison -- the league's finest run-stopping interior defensive lineman -- and Dalvin Tomlinson, another run-halting specialist. McIntosh very well may be used almost strictly as a pass-rusher as a rookie.

OTA stuff

Notes and observations from OTA practice (5/22)
A sideline view at the Giants second OTA practice

Who stood out at Giants OTAs? (5/22)
Check out which players stood out Tuesday at OTA No. 2.

Saquon Barkley, Odell Beckham Jr. bond on New York GIants
Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr. were together for the first time as teammates Monday with the New York Giants kicking off their OTAs in East Rutherford, N.J.

NFL's not-so-hidden secret: As Brady, Donald and even Beckham know, OTAs don't matter - CBSSports.com

Organized team activities -- OTAs -- don't matter.

They are largely irrelevant and are mere replications of a football practice, much less an actual game. They are a glorified babysitting service for teams to be able to keep an eye on young players, in particular, through a half-year offseason. They are a way to generate press coverage through the dog days of spring and create faux-drama and irrelevant plot lines that, nevertheless, feed the beast when it comes to NFL content. Organized team activities are, dare I say it, damn near fake news when it comes to the litany of factors that go into winning seasons and losing seasons and player development and everything else.

They are a great way to take attendance and build up quasi-narratives in terms of who is really bought in and all about their team this year, and who is not. If you want a completely un-nuanced portal into Team Guys vs. Me Guys, well, this will serve all superficial purposes at a time when the NBA and NHL finals are nearly upon us and it's finally starting to feel like baseball weather in most of the country and we're still a month away from MINICAMPS!!!, which are mandatory and allow teams to actually fine veterans for their absence, unlike these voluntary OTAs.

Debrief: What matters -- and what doesn't -- during OTA season - NFL.com
Tracking Ryan Tannehill's status? Where is Tom Brady? Gregg Rosenthal sorts the useful news from the less-so as OTA season continues.

Eagles LB Paul Worrilow suffers torn ACL during OTAs - NFL.com
The Philadelphia Eagles' linebacker depth took a big hit on the first day of organized team activities. Veteran Paul Worrilow suffered a torn ACL on Tuesday after colliding with a teammate.

Chargers' Hunter Henry suffers torn ACL in practice - NFL.com
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry suffered a torn ACL in practice Tuesday, the team announced.

New rules

Here is a look at what the new rule will be next season involving the use of the helmet as a weapon when tackling.

NFL Anthem Rule Proposals: Penalty for Kneeling | SI.com
The league continues to grapple with how to handle players demonstrating during the national anthem