NFC East Notes: Odell Beckham Jr, Giants, Redskins

Odell Beckham Jr

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes that Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr. should definitely hold out for a new contract, given that the team has been banking on “lowballing” him.

Should Beckham show up to the Giants’ training camp, Florio notes that New York can issue a “five-day letter” to the receiver, which enables the team to place Beckham on the reserve/left squad list and possibly toll his contract for a full year.

Beckham could also report to training camp but refuse to participate in practice until he has a contract, but that would expose him to possible fines and suspension.

Giants

• Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media writes that the Giants have been considering using S Landon Collins in the box against the run if the team struggles against dual-threat running backs next season.
• Collins, who didn’t get any reps during minicamp due to offseason forearm surgery, said Saturday that he thinks he’ll be “ready to go Day 1 of camp” but added that “we’ll see how the team wants to attack it.” (Dan Duggan)
• Regarding positions of need, Lombardo lists running back, wide receiver, and defensive line as the main depth concerns for the Giants right now.
• Lombardo doesn’t rule out the Giants considering a free agent linebacker this summer but mentions that Ray-Ray Armstrong would likely be the primary replacement should something happen to LBs Alex Ogletree or B.J. Goodson.
• As for position battles to watch in training camp, Lombardo believes cornerback and wide receiver will be the two most “hotly contested.“
• Lombardo considers it “highly unlikely” that the Giants draft any of the supplemental prospects next month.

Redskins

Redskins WR Jamison Crowder believes having Alex Smith in place as the team’s starting quarterback will lead to “great things” for their offensive unit.

“He knows the game, he knows how to see defenses, see different coverages,” Crowder said, via John Keim of ESPN. “By him having that experience, he knows how to put the ball in the right place. … You can already see that we can do a lot of great things as a unit.”

Crowder adds that the presence of Paul Richardson and Jordan Reed will help him get open in the passing game.

“That will help out a lot,” Crowder said. “It’s similar to when DJax was here. Paul has that ability to go over the top and the defense has to back up and they have to honor that, and then when [Reed] is back healthy, he’ll definitely open it up for me and other guys as well.“