Justin Pugh, right, looks to block linebacker Keith Rivers during...

Justin Pugh, right, looks to block linebacker Keith Rivers during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. (Aug. 12, 2013) Credit: James Escher

Justin Pugh has already offered some advice to Odell Beckham Jr.

"I told him when he throws out his first pitch at Yankee Stadium to make sure he doesn't go in the dirt," Pugh said.

As for the sport they both play professionally, last year's first-round draft pick of the Giants is excited about what this year's No. 1 will be able to bring to the offense.

"I haven't sat down and watched him play and I really don't know much about wide receiver play, but apparently he's a real good athlete and he'll be able to help us out," Pugh told Newsday on Friday morning. "I think with the offense we're going to be running next year he'll be a perfect fit."

That offense also has the second-year offensive lineman excited.

"The philosophy that [new coordinator Ben McAdoo] is installing in the offense is something that we did at Syracuse, the fast-paced, no-huddle, attack the defense ? I love it," Pugh said. "It's a lot different than the offense that we ran last year where you are huddling up and it's run the ball, run the ball. Watching Green Bay, we'll probably do some of the similar stuff that they did. So I'm excited to get out there and try it out against our defense."

That will come later this spring in OTAs and minicamp.

Pugh said he has been lining up at right tackle this spring, running with the first unit during Phase II of the offseason program. He also knows that he could be moved depending on the Giants' needs at other positions.

Speaking of needs, Pugh said he was surprised that the Giants didn't pick an offensive lineman or tight end with their first-round pick.

"[Taylor] Lewan went the pick before and I thought maybe if he was there we would have gotten him," Pugh said. "[Eric] Ebron went earlier than that. Those were the two guys I thought they were going to try to go after."

With six picks remaining and a deep draft pool, there is still time to address those positions.

"I think they're definitely going to draft a tight end and an o-lineman," Pugh said. "I don't know when in the draft, but I know that at some point they'll go there and probably go d-line as well. They have to get some guys for there too. You lose a guy like Justin Tuck, you have to replace that."

The player they attempted to replace on Day 1 of the draft is Hakeem Nicks at wide receiver.

"I'm definitely going to let him know that there are some pressures that come with being a New York Giant and expectations when you get out there," Pugh said of what he will tell Beckham beyond advice on reaching the plate. "But I think he's got some great leaders in that room with Victor [Cruz], Rueben Randle is another player, we got Mario Manningham back who was a great player for us, so I think he can learn from those guys and use that to his advantage. I think having Eli, having a two-time Super Bowl-winning MVP quarterback, will make him a better player."

And, he hopes, make the Giants a better team.

A few other notes from Pugh, who was made available through his partnership with Conair for Men:

On whether Beckham can contribute right away: "With the receivers, you can bring them in to run certain routes, he doesn't have to be in there for every single play. So you can have certain packages where he comes in and as he progresses, he'll become more and more useful."

On advice for Beckham on playing in New York: "You have to take everything with a grain of salt. You're in New York City, obviously, so there's going to be a lot of media, a lot of attention on him ? Obviously on the field you're going to be back at the bottom of the totem pole again so earn the respect by the way you play, the way you conduct yourself on and off the field and not do too much talking. The New York Giants are about your actions speaking louder than your words."

On Eli Manning's rehab: "He's looking good out there. He's not doing any on-the-field running with the reps that we're taking, but he looks good. He's out of the boot. Hopefully he'll be back by the time we get into camp."

On who he thinks will be the first Syracuse players drafted this year: "[DT] Jason Bromley or my guy [RB] Jerome Smith."

On the difference between Thursday night's first-round and last year's: "It was a lot less nerve-wracking watching it last night than watching it waiting for my name to be called."

More Giants

Newsday LogoSUBSCRIBEUnlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 5 months
ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME