Sterling Shepard: OBJ “more explosive” now than before injury

The New York Giants and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. have thus far avoided the obligatory contract dance by showing good faith and exhibiting trust. The Giants are poised to offer their superstar wide receiver a record-setting extension, but have been waiting to see how well Beckham has recovered from a broken ankle that ended his 2017 season after just four games.

Beckham is hellbent on proving to them that he is. So hellbent, that is, that he’s been in attendance for most of the team’s voluntary offseason program and all of the mandatory part thus far. He wants to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s not only recovered from injury, but that he’s in the best shape of his life.

Beckham’s fellow wideout, Sterling Shepard, has been exuding praise on his teammate and friend all spring and summer, telling everyone that Beckham is back and better than ever.

“I think [Odell] is just really excited to get back on the field,” Shepard told reporters. “I think his mindset is getting the plays down. … I think he’s more explosive now.

“He’s hungry, man. He’s like a different animal.”

After passing his physical and conditioning test, Beckham will return to the field on Thursday.

“He’ll be out there working today,” head coach Pat Shurmur.

Yesterday, the coach said the team was going to be “smart” with Beckham, meaning they won’t be the ones pressing him to the limit unnecessarily.

The Giants are being more pragmatic with Beckham’s progress. Yes, like us, they’ve seen the internet videos of OBJ performing all types of physical theatrics the past few months, but football is different. The Giants won’t likely exhale until they see him go full tilt in pads. As Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

Judging by the way Beckham has been moving, he appears to be healed, but it wouldn’t hurt the Giants and Beckham to take things slowly at first. The money will still be there.

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