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By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

EAST RUTHERFORD -- The Giants offseason is officially over following a three-day minicamp that offered a glimpse of new schemes under head coach Pat Shurmur, offensive coordinator Mike Shula, defensive coordinator James Bettcher and new additions Saquon Barkley, Nate Solder, Will Hernandez, Alec Ogletree, and others.

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While the pads won't be strapped on until the Giants report for training camp next month (Rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans on July 22, and the full squad checking in on July 25), but that doesn't mean minicamp wasn't revealing.

Here's a look at what we learned during the three mandatory minicamp practices:

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NJ Advance Media

Wheel routes are coming ... And they're going to create mismatches for Saquon Barkley

The Giants only called two wheel routes last season, but after choosing Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft, that is undoubtedly about to change in 2018.

Barkley is equally dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield as he is as a runner, and was frequently targeted on wheel routes during his three seasons at Penn State where he caught 102 passes for 1,195 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 11.7 yards per reception.

During the three minicamp practices this week, Barkley was frequently targeted on wheel routes including on Wednesday when he found himself isolated against cornerback William Gay and didn't just beat him downfield after the catch but beat him to the end zone by three strides.

In addition to Barkley, Wayne Gallman got plenty of work on wheel routes, as well.

It wouldn't be a surprise to see the play become a mainstay in the Giants' playbook this season, particularly given Barkley's effectiveness running the route in college.

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Hernandez enjoys being Saquon Barkley's bodyguard, but why so many practice fights?

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B.J. Hill getting first-team reps, defense emphasizing pass-rush

Only the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons logged fewer sacks than the Giants' 23 last season, so it isn't surprising to see the defense emphasizing rushing the passer both in scheme and personnel changes this offseason.

Not only has defensive coordinator James Bettcher brought a 3-4 front with him from the Arizona Cardinals, but the Giants invested third-round draft picks in outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter out of Georgia and N.C. State defensive end B.J. Hill.

Hill took a vast majority of first-team reps during this week's camp as the focus of the defense turned to making life difficult for the quarterbacks.

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Following Wednesday's practice, Bettcher reiterated that the Giants will do whatever it takes to bolster what was a pedestrian pass-rush last season.

"Finding what some of the strengths of the guys that we have on the field and trying to put those guys in the best possible position," Bettcher said. "OV [defensive end Olivier Vernon], we know is a dynamic guy. A guy that can rush from different angles, a guy that you can move around and put in different matchups. And he’s embraced everything that we’ve done to this point. I’ve loved working with him and I think he’s making some great progress, not just in this scheme, but I think as I’ve looked at him as a player, he’s sharpening his tools right now.

"Some of the other guys that I think can give us some impact would be guys that have a chance to win one-on-one matchups, or our guys that we can bring from different angles. And at times, if we have to, change who the fourth rusher is. At times maybe bring five or six. Whatever we would need to do."

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The competition at center is real ...

Four of the five starting positions along a completely revamped offensive line are set, but the stage is set for a battle for the starting center job to unfold throughout training camp and the preseason.

Brett Jones and Jon Halapio have been splitting the first-team practice reps this spring, with Halapio getting a majority of the run with the starters during the three-day minicamp.

Halapio, 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds has the size advantage over the 6-foot-2 and 309 pound Jones, who played all 16 games last season.

For Jones, fighting for a job whether on the roster or at the top of the depth chart is nothing new.

"For me, each and every year has been a competition just to make the team," Jones told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. "It's no different this year. I'm just excited for the fall, to take each single day one day at a time, and just try to get better as a football player.

"I think that's what Jon's trying to do, too. We're both really good players, and we're excited for what the fall will bring."

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The Giants defense has a chance to be very good up the middle

Quality football teams are built with dominant players anchoring the middle of the defense, and Bettcher believes that the Giants potentially have three All-Pros in nose tackle Damon Harrison, inside linebacker Alec Ogletree, and safety Landon Collins.

Olgetree, acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams just prior to free agency back in March, is used to playing behind elite defensive linemen, including All-Pro Aaron Donald.

Similarly to Donald, Ogletree says he can't wait to be able to make plays in space created by Harrison's dominance up front.

"He can hold a double team," Ogletree said of Harrison. "Or split them if he can make the play, for sure. But I’m looking forward to playing with everyone that’s in the locker room, for sure. So, for me, it’s just taking it day by day and like I said, learning each player and how they play, and he’s definitely one of the players that I’m excited to play behind, for sure."

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John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Batted passes remain an issue for Eli Manning

Manning has struggled in recent season with passes being batted down at the line of scrimmage, and if the three practices of minicamp are any indication, they could once again be an issue in 2018.

Granted, the Giants seemed to be working on installing short and intermediate routes to running backs and tight ends during Wednesday's practice, but Manning had three balls batted down, including one each by Ogletree and Carter.

The Giants have the chance to really stretch the field vertically this season with a healthy Beckham, Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram, but Manning is going to have to be more efficient on the shorter passes particularly to Barkley or Engram over the middle to truly unlock the potential of Shurmur's system.

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Better late than never, but Ereck Flowers looking comfortable at RT

After skipping the voluntary offseason workouts and early OTA practices, Ereck Flowers' transition to right tackle seems to be going well and is impressing both teammates and the coaching staff, alike.

"Ereck Flowers is doing everything that we've asked him to do," Shurmur said Tuesday. "And he's doing a great job."

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Flowers looks comfortable playing alongside guard Patrick Omameh, despite the fact that both have spent most of their careers playing on the left side of the offensive line.

Nate Solder, who became the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL when the Giants signed him to supplant Flowers at left tackle, has taken the 2015 first-round pick under his wing this spring.

"I have been very impressed with his character and his humility – work ethic, everything," Solder said Thursday. " I don’t think I would have handled it as well as he has handled it. I am very impressed."

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Davis Webb continues to impress

Perhaps general manager Dave Gettleman and the Giants will one day be vindicated for passing on quarterbacks such as Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen, as 2017 third-round pick Davis Webb continues to string together impressive practices this spring.

Thursday, Webb made the most of his showcase as Manning got the day off from full-team drills, when he called his own number and scrambled for a touchdown before later dropping a perfectly placed touch-pass into a tight window and the awaiting arms of tight end Kyle Carter during goal-line drills.

Whether it is arm strength, accuracy, or touch on his passes, Webb looks the part of a second-year quarterback ready to take the field for meaningful snaps if called upon.

Webb has also impressed the Giants' coaching staff.

"I think it’s hard to say exactly where he has taken the biggest jump," Shula said of Webb. "He has taken big strides and I think he’s flashed for sure during some practices. I really like his arm strength, he can be really accurate. Again, he will probably be the first to tell you that he can work on his consistency. If everything is not right, finding the outlet and fixing it sometimes. It might not be a great call against that defense, knowing how to fix it, maybe a receiver falls down or whatever or there is a protection and knowing where to go when those things happen. But all those guys are and he is another good example of guys that are really eager to learn the offense as well as they can and he comes to work with the mindset that he wants to prove to himself and everybody in this building that he can play."

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Play-by-play of ugly fight between Damon Harrison, Will Hernandez

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Odell Beckham continues to make strides ...

While he has yet to take part in a full team drill this spring, Beckham was medically cleared for the first time leading up to minicamp and ever so slightly ramped up his participation, despite the fact that he has yet to come to terms on a long-term contract extension ahead of entering the final season of his rookie deal.

Beckham stayed after practice to get extra reps with Manning on Tuesday, and then during Wednesday's practice the pair spent time running routes against air while the rest of the roster took part in a special teams period.

While Beckham's contract situation will likely dictate whether he reports to training camp on time, Shurmur doesn't expect him to have any limitations if he does show up with the rest of his teammates.

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"Anytime you catch a route from a quarterback, you learn something about one another," Shurmur said of Beckham and Manning getting extra work in together. "So, they’ve spent time together. I’ve noticed their relationship is real strong and that’s typical of what players do. They work together. Odell’s been able to do a lot here full speed and as I mentioned, he’s been cleared to practice. Guys that end the year with injuries come back at different rates and get involved with more and more of the drill work. So, for him to spend that extra time with Eli, I think is great."

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HOW TO REACH ME:

Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoNFL

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Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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