John Harbaugh on Odell Beckham Jr. earning his spot on Giants’ roster
Giants head coach John Harbaugh explains why Odell Beckham Jr. earned a spot on the 53-man roster and discusses his role with the team heading into the season, along with other Giants roster decisions.
Video Transcript
Big week.
A big day, really, because you have the, the 53 in for the first time.
Then, then, you know, you get the practice squad guys later in the day, which is why we push practice back so those guys could be with us in terms of the timeframe with all the roster moves.
And, and we had our first practice with that group, sort of our first in-season type of practice today, getting ready for our first game.
So what questions do you have?
What went into, you keeping Odell on the roster and having him make the roster?
Like, what did you see and why?
Well, I mean, he played really well.
You know, he looked, he looked like, like he was ready to help us.
That was it.
You, you just take the roster, you take the guys, you take the reps, the plays, what you, what you need from, from your players going into the season, and you, and you pick the best guys, you know?
And he was, he was one of the best guys.
He earned it.
You know, he earned his spot.
I mean, from beginning to end, he earned it.
You told him walking off the field yesterday, is kinda what he said?
Yeah, right at the end of practice.
Yeah.
I mean- What was his reaction?
It was great.
It was wonderful.
I, it just, I mean, I knew- Did he sense relief, or like, what did he do?
I, I, I don't know.
I sensed, I sensed accomplishment.
I, I feel like he felt like he accomplished something, but not finished, you know?
And he said that.
Just, you know, he wants to get, now it's, now it's time to, to make it count, you know?
That's, that's where he's at.
But I, I know he knows he accomplished a lot.
It's kind of unheard of in some ways to be, you know, away for so long and come back.
I don't know how many times this has actually been done.
It'd be interesting to see, but, the, the odds were probably against him, I would say.
You know, and he overcame the, the odds and did it.
Now, now it's, now what do you do with it?
And that's what he's focused on.
You had said that back in the spring when you guys were, well, in June, when you signed him, you said you told him, you know, "You can make a roster, but are you gonna make a difference?"
Mm-hmm.
Did you sense over the last week or so that he kind of hit that other gear?
Yes.
I'd say the last week to two weeks that he really started, notching it back up a couple notches and, and making certain kind of plays that got you excited.
What do you view his role as?
He'll be, he'll be in that receiver group, you know.
I mean, he'll be rotating in in different personnel groups, and he'll be playing
