Minicamp Notebook

The New York Giants’ 2017 season officially began with the first mandatory activities of the year, from June 13-15, at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Despite the non-contact nature of the sessions, there were plenty of storylines:

 

“Beck” to business

The Giants’ media room welcomed in an influx of reporters on the first day of minicamp, as Odell Beckham Jr. made his long awaited return from a self-imposed exile. After partaking in the first day’s practice, Beckham had a lively session with the media as he spoke with them for the first time since January. Beckham said there was “no doubt” he would be coming to the mandatory minicamp segments, and he assured the fans and media that his disappearance had nothing to do with his contract situation. Rumors circulated that Beckham was upset about not yet receiving a long-term extension, but he put those rumors to rest quickly.

“I just came here to do what I have always done, which is to play football and be the very best that I can on the field,” Beckham said. “The rest will take care of itself.”

Beckham also explained why he chose to work out on his own, reiterating he was, “Just out in (Los Angeles) training,” and not trying to make his contract a point of contention.

“I was just taking the time to train, make sure that I get proper training and really growing and maturing yourself,” he said. “You just have time to reflect on life and be able to learn new things so it was a great process for me and I definitely enjoyed it.”

He also addressed skipping Eli Manning’s offseason gathering, which he blamed on oral surgery. Beckham caught flack for appearing at the NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship days later, but he stressed the procedure was necessary to avoid infection, humorously stating he was, “Not a dentist.”

Beckham finally was able to address his onfield work, expressing excitement in working with incoming talents Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram and comparing the latter to elite veterans Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski.