When Travis Beckum tore his right ACL during the second quarter of Super Bowl XLVI, it appeared he would miss the entire 2012 season, as recovery from reconstructive knee surgery is often a one-year rehab. The Giants, though, clearly believe Beckum is ready to return. Yesterday the team activated him off the physically unable to perform list.
To make room on the active roster, the Giants waived guard Mitch Petrus. This comes as no surprise, considering the Giants cut Petrus in the final round of preseason cuts, but re-signed him when D.J. Jones, an offensive lineman they signed off waiver from the Eagles, did not pass his physical.
The Giants went with three tight ends on their roster this season: Martellus Bennett, Bear Pascoe and rookie Adrien Robinson. Pascoe is dealing with a sprained ankle and is unlikely to play in today’s game against the Steelers. Robinson is considered a decent prospect, but he is raw and not ready to make a contribution.
Beckum, a former third-round draft pick, has not made an impact during his time with the Giants. Last season, he had five receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown. In his three seasons with the Giants, Beckum has 26 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
* Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger were two of the three marquee quarterbacks in the draft Class of 2004 — Philip Rivers was the other — and Big Ben said he always had an eye on Eli as they made their early mark in the NFL.
“I think early on for me, it was more wanting to do better than him,’’ Roethlisberger said, “and I don’t want to say animosity, but he was the number one pick, and I think as a guy that’s not picked number one or anytime someone is picked ahead of you, you want to beat that guy out. But as I’ve gotten older, it’s more neat to see his success, to see him getting two Super Bowls because I think it just adds to the legacy of our draft class and all four quarterbacks — Matt Schaub, Philip, myself and Eli that were drafted there.
“I hope that we can play well enough that one day they talk about us as maybe the best quarterback draft class of all-time.’’
* Today is the third time Manning and Roethlisberger have faced each other.
The Steelers beat the Giants in 2004 when both were rookies and Eli and the Giants won in Pittsburgh in 2008.
Asked to compare himself to Manning, Roethlisberger said “I’d like to say that we both can make all of the throws. I don’t think Eli is quite as elusive as I am, but I think he is very slippery.
“ I know that sounds kind of crazy, but he gets out of a lot, as we’ve seen in Super Bowls.’’
* The Steelers are just 1-3 on the road this season but they did win the last time they played on the road, 24-17 at Cincinnati.
* Jayron Hosley had some rough moments last week in Dallas vs. Miles Austin and he will be tested again by the Steelers pass-catchers.
“You fail to realize he’s a young rookie and he’s learning every day and he’s getting a little better every day and every experience is a new experience,’’ defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said.
* Antrel Rolle has some history with Roethlisberger dating back to Super Bowl XLIII. Rolle and the Cardinals were seconds away from winning before Big Ben fired a last-second touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes.
Reminded that Roethlisberger once broke his heart, Rolle said “Hey, I found my heart back. It heals. It definitely heals.’’ Last year’s Super Bowl victory with the Giants no doubt was the remedy.
* Even though he’s got five interceptions, Stevie Brown figures no one is going to be afraid to throw in his direction.
“Whenever you’re not a marquee guy on the defense they feel like that’s not someone you have to account for on every single play,’’ said Brown, who figures to remain in the starting lineup even with the return of Kenny Phillips.
“You’re going to know where they are but you’re going to test ’em to see if they are able to do the things the greats do.’’