Giants news, 5/30: Odell Beckham update, Saquon’s first pitch, more

Good morning, New York Giants fans! There is a lot to unpack this morning, so let’s get to it.

Odell “pretty close” to fully healthy

Odell Beckham Jr. was not in attendance at Tuesday’s OTA. Head coach Pat Shurmur said he knew Beckham wouldn’t be there, that he is “healthy” and “pretty close” to being fully cleared for football activities after suffering a fractured ankle last season.

Shurmur also is not concerning himself with Beckham’s contract situation.

“Dave [Gettleman] said it already. Contracts will get done when they get done. We are not worried about that. My experience with Odell has been that he wants to play football and he has been looking forward to getting out here,” Shurmur said. “We will cross that bridge when we get there.”

Saquon’s first pitch

Saquon Barkley threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

Not great, but better than what head coach Pat Shurmur did recently at Citi Field.

“When you step out of your element, that’s when it gets different. I was actually a little nervous,” he said. “I didn’t think I was going to be nervous because in college, I played in front of 110,000 on a weekly basis . . . On my way here, I was watching all the videos of the . . . bad ones and I was like, ‘I do not want to be on ESPN’s Not Top 10.’ It wasn’t a great pitch, but I think I saved myself.”

Quotable

— Sterling Shepard on the baby he and his wife, Chanel Iman, are expecting this summer

Landon Collins sighting

Here is a look at Landon Collins practicing on Tuesday for the first time since a second surgery to repair his broken forearm

More headlines

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Linebacker Mark Herzlich, who is part of the NFL Players' Association leadership council that has met frequently with league leaders on the subject, said Tuesday afternoon following the club's fourth OTA practice in East Rutherford that he "would love Trump to come down" and see what an NFL locker room really is all about.

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Saquon Barkley says he told Aaron Judge he could play tight end or defensive end.

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ELI MANNING TO ODELL BECKHAM JR., NEW YORK GIANTS

Over the past decade, Manning averages a 113.4 passer rating when targeting Beckham, but only 89.7 when targeting all other receivers. For perspective, a 113.4 passer rating would have led the league last season, while a passer rating of 89.7 would have ranked 17th, just ahead of Tyrod Taylor (89.2). Beckham deserves all of the praise that frequently gets heaped upon him. Not only is he always the top focal point of each defense to face him and Manning’s favorite-target (with little support surrounding him throughout his career), but even in spite of this, he’s still one of the most efficient receivers in the NFL. Manning and the entirety of the offense should take a massive step forward next season if Beckham stays healthy.

How new Giants tight ends coach can help Evan Engram take next step to Pro Bowler | NJ.com
Tight end Evan Engram was Giants' best receiver in 2017. To be a Pro Bowl tight end, he will need to improve his blocking. Enter coach Lunda Wells.