Newly acquired linebacker Jon Beason just practiced with the Giants for the first time Tuesday. But with Big Blue winless, they’re expecting to throw him right onto the field and into the fire Thursday night in Chicago.
“We’re going to incorporate him in our defense this week. We have certain packages he’ll be involved in,’’ said defensive coordinator Perry Fewell. “Obviously he’s only been with us for a couple of days, but we felt like it was important to get him involved as soon as possible.’’
The Giants got the three-time Pro Bowler from Carolina for a late-round draft pick next April, and he just passed his physical Friday. After not getting many opportunities in the national spotlight with the Panthers, he’s not only determined to play in Thursday’s nationally televised game. He says he even would be comfortable calling some defensive signals.
“Yeah, absolutely. I’m in the playbook hard right now, I’ve got a vet out there in [Spencer Paysinger] who’s been doing it, with the both of us together. But it’s definitely something want to do,’’ Beason said. “Nothing like prime time, a huge stage. We didn’t get that many prime-time games in Charlotte.’’
Beason got a look at the Giants up close before the trade, just not as long of a look as he would have preferred. After struggling in the Panthers’ first two games, he was benched right before their 38-0 rout of Big Blue in Week 3. After talking with Carolina coach Ron Rivera about his playing time, he was traded to a Giants team that sits at 0-5 with the 27th-ranked defense in the NFL.
Fewell said Beason would be used as a middle linebacker, and was likely to play in nickel packages. Asked if Beason would call defensive signals, Fewell hedged.
“We have a plan involved,” Fewell said. “Some of it he can handle, some of it he can’t. He’ll grow with the system.’’ Still, Beason has made a solid first impression.
“The first time we had a chance to see him live was today. His inline quickness stood out right off the bat,’’ Fewell said. “He’s an intelligent football man. We had a jog through practice yesterday and his ability to communicate with the players to come out and have good knowledge of what a 4-3 defense is and where to fit was impressive.’’
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RB Da’Rel Scott, cut last week and re-signed on Monday, admitted “I didn’t see it coming’’ and he did not think he should have been sent packing.
“I feel like anybody in my situation would wonder why, why it had to be me,’’ Scott said. “I was kind of baffled by how it happened.’’
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TE Martellus Bennett, not re-signed by the Giants after a solid 2012 season, has fit in well in Chicago, where he has caught 25 of Jay Cutler’s passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns.
Asked if he is surprised by the Giants going 0-5, Bennett said: “I haven’t really been paying attention. There weren’t ill feelings on either side’’ about his leaving the Giants. Bennett is dealing with a knee issue.
“There’s always a chance I won’t play,’’ said Bennett.
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Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said rookie DT Johnathan Hankins has earned increased playing time. Fewell also said the plan was not to play S Will Hill so extensively in his first game of the season — Hill played all 81 defensive snaps vs. the Eagles — but Hill was so impressive he never took him out. … Seven Giants did not practice: C David Baas (neck), CB Corey Webster (groin), CB Jayron Hosley (hamstring), DE Damontre Moore (hamstring), long snapper Zak DeOssie (back) and S Cooper Taylor (shoulder). Webster will miss his third straight game. Three players were limited, all with ankle injuries: DT Linval Joseph, WR Louis Murphy and TE Brandon Myers. Joseph said he will play in Chicago. … To create room on the roster for Scott, the Giants waived DE Justin Trattou. They also added CB Junior Mertile and LB Darin Drakeford to the practice squad.