New York Giants: Odell Beckham Jr. injury bigger worry than offense

The New York Giants offense will (probably) improve, but only if wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is fine after suffering an ankle injury.

When is a legal hit a dirty hit? That question is the main talking point following Monday’s preseason game between the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. In the second quarter of the contest, defensive back Briean Boddy-Calhoun went low to bring Beckham down near the Cleveland 25-yard line. Beckham suffered an ankle injury on the play, and he remained sidelined through the completion of the game.

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Boddy-Calhoun did not violate a written NFL rule with his hit, but he certainly angered more than a few contemporaries wondering why anybody already on a roster would attempt such a risky tackle during a meaningless walkthrough. As Tadd Haislop of the Sporting News pointed out, offensive and defensive players around the NFL took to Twitter to voice their anger over a moment that, theoretically, could’ve ended Beckham’s season.

Just as was the case with fellow wide receiver Sterling Shepard earlier this month, it appears initial panic regarding Beckham’s ankle was unnecessary. The 24-year old returned to the sideline during Monday’s affair, and he was seen jogging after the contest. Further evaluations are required to rule out any long-term worries, but it seems Beckham should be ready to go for the start of the regular season.

After viewing multiple replays of the moment of impact, it looks as if Boddy-Calhoun had more than enough time to square-up and hit Beckham in the midsection or otherwise avoid a controversial play. Those of us who aren’t Boddy-Calhoun cannot say, for sure, that the defensive back was targeting the superstar’s knees. What’s done is done, and logic suggests Beckham won’t play another preseason snap this summer.

Beckham’s health aside, another issue discussed on sports talk radio and among New York fans on social media since Monday evening is the team’s offense that generated little against the Browns. Quarterback Eli Manning failed to get into a rhythm despite completing 10-of-14 attempts, the team’s rushing game was anemic, minus a 16-yard carry from Paul Perkins, and both Shepard and veteran Brandon Marshall were guilty of miscues that can’t happen when results count in the standings.

Is it time for the Giants and fans to enter a state of hysteria because an offense that is supposed to be capable of executing aerial assaults versus any defense, let alone against one with few playmakers, failed to deliver? Not yet, if only because the Giants seem essentially disinterested in fully opening the playbook during the preseason.

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Sure, head coach Ben McAdoo can point to a variety of plays during upcoming meetings, and huff and puff and remind his players they are expected to compete for a playoff spot this season. Inefficiency is forgivable on Aug. 21, but such lackluster play won’t be tolerated beginning on Sept. 10. McAdoo will likely make that point abundantly clear over the next few weeks.

As expected, New York’s offensive line had an up-and-down night against a Browns defense advertised to test Big Blue’s front early and often. Much-maligned left tackle Ereck Flowers probably got away with no fewer than two holds while matched against impressive Cleveland rookie Myles Garrett, but that the 23-year old wasn’t a complete disaster on Monday is a step in the right direction. The Giants have to take whatever good Flowers can give the club at the moment.

All conversations about the New York offense drastically change, obviously, if Beckham misses action once Week 1 rolls around. Manning’s favorite target is a home-run hitter who can take the ball to the house from just about anywhere on the field once he separates from a defender. Beckham’s importance to his team’s title hopes is why he shouldn’t see the field again until the Giants play the Dallas Cowboys on the first Sunday night of the campaign.

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Even if Beckham is rested and fully healthy for the first big NFC East showdown of the season, Monday’s game served as yet another reminder the preseason is a minefield championship-caliber teams must survive. McAdoo and his staff will demand better from the New York offense over the final eight quarters of exhibition football, but those hoping to see that unit function as a well-oiled machine before September need to limit expectations. Getting to the Dallas game intact remains the top objective for this squad.