Palladino: Giants Could Have Next Great End-Zone Threat In Larry Donnell
By Ernie Palladino
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At long last, Odell Beckham Jr. might step onto the field Sunday to run some real pass routes. While a whole MetLife Stadium of Giants faithful might applaud that move in collective delirium, the appearance of the heralded first-round receiver probably won't become Eli Manning's great weapon.
At least not against the Falcons. For now, that potential lies with a tight end whose pass-catching potential was known only to those in the coaching offices. Larry Donnell, a practice squad player in 2012 and primarily a special-teamer who totaled three catches and zero touchdowns in one start on offense last year, had himself a breakout game last Thursday against the Redskins.
Big games are nice, of course. They help put check marks in the win column, a big deal for a team that hasn't made the playoffs in two years. Plus, they keep the media happy. The only thing reporters like better than pounding Geno Smith over the head or writing about Prince Amukamara's awakening sex life is a good rags-to-riches story.
Donnell's fits perfectly. Hard-working kid out of Grambling. Began his college career as a quarterback before transitioning into a blocking tight end. So unlikely were his seven catches for 54 yards and three touchdowns against the Redskins that even Donnell put himself on his fantasy team bench to start 49ers' tight end Vernon Davis.
He lost by 15 points.
Though Donnell gave early signs of a breakout with his 1-yard touchdown grab in Detroit in the midst of an eight-catch, 56-yard opener, it wasn't until his third touchdown in Washington that he showed his potential to impact Manning's offense as much as any other receiver this week and beyond.
The 6-foot-6 Donnell had lined up split against cornerback Bashaud Breeland at the Washington 6. Manning lobbed the ball high and let Donnell go up and get it against the shorter rookie. The tight end got just enough separation and came down with it.
It was the type of pass Manning might have thrown to Plaxico Burress a few years ago, and something Giants followers have seen far too little of since Burress' Glock turned his thigh into Swiss cheese that fateful night in 2008. But Donnell, an inch taller than Burress and with good leaping ability despite weighing in 30 pounds heavier than the 232-pound Burress, could become the Giants' next great end zone-target. Donnell can out-leap the smaller cornerbacks, and is strong enough to out-muscle the larger ones who gain position on him. He runs a beautiful seam route, too, ala Mark Bavaro or Kevin Boss.
If the consistency that has placed him atop Giants receivers with 25 catches for 236 yards and four TDs continues, he could become a regular customer for the end-zone fade, a throw the Manning-Burress combination turned so vital in the 2007 Super Bowl run.
Having a weapon like that will be important because nobody knows what, or for how long, Beckham will contribute. He appears to be in good shape after a hamstring strain limited him to six training camp practices, but it is doubtful he'll immediately become the threat the Giants thought they drafted. He'll probably be eased into the offense over the course of several games, providing he doesn't tweek the muscle again.
That leaves Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and Preston Parker for the bulk of the downfield passing. Beckham's return will give the Falcons' secondary something else to think about, and that's a plus. Just don't expect Beckham to put up significant numbers until he proves he can handle the rigors of a full game.
For now, though, the Giants might have happened upon a real weapon in Donnell.
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