It is just amazing what we are watching. Odell Beckham Jr is simply electrifying and I still can't believe he wears blue. I don't think the Giants have had a player like this in their history. There is so much that makes him so good. We know about the physical ability, the speed, the agility, the leaping, the catch radius, the freakishly large hands. But what only gets a casual mention (because it's not highlight worthy) is his impeccable route running. He is as precise as a ruler with his routes.
Fans don't often get to see this side of football because all eyes are on the QB at the snap when you watch on TV, but check out the replay of Beckham's last TD. He wins the route right off the line of scrimmage by attacking the defender's outside shoulder (his shoulder to the sideline). He uses his feet to get the DB to open up the inside and Beckham exploits it for the TD. It all happens in about a second and the DB is toast. Game over
Many WRs are fast, many are big, some are big and fast. Few are big, fast, and textbook route runners. In fact, with this new generation of large WRs, most get by on their physical talents because they can. Doesn't take much for a 6-3+ WR to gain the advantage on a DB. Beckham doesn't have that luxury. He is fast, and has an incredible catch radius, but he is not big. By running perfect routes, pretty much all the time, he gains separation without getting in the space of the defensive back. It is simply amazing to watch.
Would also point out, this is one of the reasons Beckham gets separation and Randle does not. Randle, who never seems to get separation, runs inconsistent routes and has lazy footwork. Not to mention, he seldom uses his size to his advantage. If Reuben Randle could add some polish to his game, like Amani Toomer did, he would be a real asset in this offense.
I would also submit that this warrants its on thread as the intent was to highlight the importance of route running, which is often over-looked/dismissed by many.
Now you're talkin!
13 has become my new favorite number.
Also, isn't amazing how great Eli has looked since Beckham entered the line-up. Gotta keep those two together for as long as possible.
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Randle you just feel like is not that far away from being a decent NFL receiver. But he hasn't shown that he's likely to take that next step to being a nice 2nd/3rd option. Next year is the "prove it" year. Even more than a 3rd WR option to complement OBJ (although that is welcome), I'd really like to see a nice TE commanding attention in the flat. That plus Cruz would make Beckham f'ing lethal.
I think that is a pretty fair assessment. I don't watch a lot of Steelers so I can't comment on Brown, but he certainly puts up the numbers to back it up and is the most targeted WR in the NFL.
Route running is so incredibly important. QBs want to throw to a guy who is consistently in the right place at the right time, with space to work. The sad truth is most WRs don't learn this in college anymore. The fact that Beckham can be considered the 2nd best route runner at the WR position his rookie year is incredible. Really love the chemistry he and Eli are building.
I assuming you never saw LT play.
I assuming you never saw LT play.
I meant to say "on offense"
That's what I love about this. We've had these guys on defense. LT, Strahan, and I still say Jessie Armstead was underrated. But I can't think of an offensive player in Giant's history that could just take over a game. Eli is the best QB we've ever had, and he has had some great performances, but this is a 10 game stretch of dominance at the WR position, by a rookie.
I assuming you never saw LT play.
Cruz was not too shaby either.
Please tell me this post is a joke? With all the stupidity on BBI recently, my sarcasm meter is shot.