For all their issues, it wasn’t long ago the Giants figured they had answers to two important questions: the identities of their starting offensive tackles.
Now they cannot be so sure. They know Justin Pugh is a solid player with the potential to be more, after starting all 16 games as a rookie at right tackle. But what are the Giants to make of Will Beatty, who is coming off a terrible season and a fractured right leg?
How the Giants answer that question, and how they feel about Beatty, probably will be revealed Thursday night, not by words but by deed, by a move they will or won’t make. If they select an offensive tackle in the first round of the NFL Draft — they own the 12th overall pick — it screams loud and clear that there is immediate and long-term concern about Beatty. If the Giants skip on a tackle, it means they are fairly confident Beatty can return to form in complete health, because no player they take after the first round should comfortably be projected to be a first-year starter.
The Sept. 8 regular-season opener is more than eight months after Beatty’s New Year’s Eve surgery to repair a fractured tibia in his right leg, an injury he suffered in the third quarter of the Dec. 29 season-ending victory over the Redskins when he collided with cornerback DeAngelo Hall. Beatty did not sustain any ligament damage or any impairment of his right knee, so barring any setbacks he should be able to participate in training camp.
“Who knows the future?’’ Beatty said last week. “I know I am past expectations of the doctor, and I want to make sure tomorrow I’m the same way. I want to make sure I keep improving so when it is time for opening day, I’m there.’’
Assuming Beatty, 29, is healthy, the Giants next have to wonder if he is any good. He became a full-time starter in 2011 and allowed an acceptable total of 7 ¹/₂ sacks in 26 games from 2011-12. Blessed with prototype size, reach and athletic ability — though hardly considered a tough, physical player — Beatty cashed in with a five-year, $38.75 million contract that included $19 million in guaranteed money. It was evidence the Giants viewed him as a franchise left tackle
Then came 2013. He allowed 11 sacks for 85 yards in losses and was called for four holding penalties. He was supposed to help stabilize a struggling offensive line. Instead, Beatty added to the problem.
Asked about his performance, Beatty didn’t offer much.
“Coming off an injury it’s like, ‘The year did not end well for me but I have a chance to start a new year fresh with a new coordinator,’ ’’ Beatty said.
There is a new offensive coordinator, Ben McAdoo, and it remains to be seen what he thinks of Beatty. Unless they pull off a mammoth trade, the Giants cannot get Greg Robinson (Auburn) or Jake Matthews (Texas A&M) at No. 12 in the draft, and they also likely would have to move up to land Michigan’s Taylor Lewan, who would be a perfect fit as far as adding talent and nastiness except for character concerns stemming from misdemeanor assault charges from an incident in Ann Arbor after a Michigan-Ohio State game.
Zack Martin was a tackle at Notre Dame and is considered the top guard in the draft. Most scouts believe he can start almost immediately at any position along the offensive line. Next on the tackle list are Cyrus Kouandjio of Alabama and Morgan Moses of Virginia, both possible first-round picks.
In free agency, the Giants signed Charles Brown, the Saints’ starting left tackle last year before he was benched late in the season.
“Right now he’s probably the next option there behind Will,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said. “You could even move Pugh over there if you wanted to.’’
For now, Beatty continues his rehab, running straight ahead and getting stronger.
“I want to be ready when they say it’s time to put on pads,’’ Beatty said. “That’s being smart during the offseason, building and getting stronger but not trying to be stupid about it and say that I’m Superman.’’
The Giants aren’t looking for Superman. They will take Will Beatty, circa 2012.