Odell Beckham is looking to chip in right away.
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The Giants have a new offensive weapon to play with and he’s just as eager to contribute as they are.
First-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. was among the many new faces hoping to catch the attention of the coaching staff as minicamp began Tuesday.
Star wideout Victor Cruz is entrenched on one side, which means Beckham will compete with fellow LSU alum Rueben Randle and veteran Jerrel Jernigan on the depth chart.
While confident of his skills and how quickly he’s grasping new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s offense, Beckham said it’s his goal and expectation to get on the field right away.
“I don’t really ever put pressure on myself [but] it is just something that I expect of myself,” said Beckham. “And being the competitor I am, you don’t want to be on the bench or not playing or not contributing to the team.”
Beckham, who only spent one year together with Randle at LSU while he was a freshman, relished the idea of competing with his good friend, noting that Randle has been quick to give advice and show the rookie the ropes.
“It’s been great to see Rueben. It’s definitely comforting to have a piece of home out here at my new home, just hanging out with him and rekindling our relationship has been fun,” said Beckham, who helped Randle lead LSU to a 13-0 record and a spot in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. “I guess in a way it brings a different level of competition to us. Rueben and I are close and we’re going to compete every single day. I’m pretty sure he has his spot, and I’m just competing for one of these other spots.”
Despite the three-year gap since last playing together, Beckham said working with Randle this offseason has felt like they’ve been doing it for years.
“It’s like you never left,” Beckham said. “Playing with him and kind of being able to read each other’s minds, to an extent, will make it easier after we play for a year or two or [however] many.”
McAdoo’s system is rather complex, noted Beckham, but it’d be a daunting task to learn any new offense as a rookie, let alone one the other veterans are also learning.
Beckham was astute in pointing out that even if he can’t close the gap on the depth chart, historically the Giants have run a lot of three-wide sets, meaning he’ll need to be up to speed, regardless if he’s the starter or backup.
“He has big-play ability, whether it’s going to be deep down the field or taking a slant route to the house, whatever it may be,” said Randle, who at 6-foot-2 is three inches taller. “He brings that dynamic ability to the team, which we’re going to need.”
Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.
