Giants story lines: Will Beatty ready to return
The New York Giants' Will Beatty comes onto the field before a game against the St. Louis Rams. (Sept. 19, 2011) Credit: AP
Successful offensive lines pride themselves on chemistry and communication, but it doesn't seem like either is being used in regard to Will Beatty, the projected starter at left tackle who missed most of training camp with a back injury. Beatty played sparingly as an extra blocker in the opener, but he's not sure where he fits in now that he is physically ready to play an entire game.
"That was my timetable, to be ready for the first game, and it just so happened that they didn't need to use me," Beatty said. "But as for my mindset, I'm still preparing myself for me starting the game."
Beatty and Sean Locklear split snaps with the starters Monday. Wednesday will tell a lot about where they will figure into Sunday's game plan. Said Tom Coughlin, "He has to make up for a lot of lost time."
If some of the plays that the Bucs run on Sunday look familiar, well, they should. Both of Tampa Bay's coordinators spent time with the Giants. Offensive play-caller Mike Sullivan was a wide receivers and quarterbacks coach from 2004-11 and defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan held the same title in 2009 and was linebackers coach from 2005-08.
