Odell Beckham Jr. has been showing remarkable restraint.
Beckham hasn’t showed much of the fiery emotions that are as synonymous with him as those highlight grabbing catches. Of course, this was before the New York Giants lost three of their four games with an offense that has struggled to generate both yardage and points.
Beckham posed a question about the offense during an interview with ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
“How come we can’t throw the ball more than 20 yards? How come we don’t attempt or try to throw the ball for more than 20 yards?” Beckham said. “Those are questions we have to figure out. For now, I would say it’s our heart, our energy, it’s what we bring when we line up before the game. All of that. It counts.”
The overall meaning behind Beckham’s words during his interview with Anderson was the topic of conversation after Friday’s practice. Head coach Pat Shurmur wanted no parts of it.
“That’s probably a better question for him.” Shurmur said. “If you have a question about what he said or what he meant, I would just ask you to spin back as ask him.”
Truth be told, Beckham only said what fans have been saying since the start of the season.
Eli Manning has been reluctant to throw the ball more than 20 yards, instead settling for dinks and dunks. Beckham even threw his hands in the air in apparent disgust after being a non-target during the Week 4 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
The Giants have looked lethargic at times during the first four games. Heart is not something that can be measured quantitatively but the required fire needed on Sundays has been missing.
Beckham has 31 receptions for 331 yards and no touchdowns in four games.
Shurmur would only confirm that he spoke to Beckham before practice.
“I talk to the players all the time,” Shurmur said. “I was made aware of that. We had actually already discussed it. I talk to Odell and I talk to all the players every day. We’ve already spoken this morning. I don’t talk about what I talk about with the players. It’s between me and the player.”
Beckham didn’t make himself available to the media after Friday’s practice. He did, however, post “Love me…or hate me…I am who I am” on his Instagram account.
Beckham may have sensed his comments could potentially rub teammates the wrong way. He later went on Twitter to reiterate his commitment to the team and desire to win.
I give it my all everyday n that won’t ever stop, GIANTSSS we gon get this thing done togetherrr. Beeeluhdatt #OwnOctober
— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) October 5, 2018
Safety Michael Thomas said he had “no issue with someone trying to hold guys accountable”. One of the unwritten conditions of Beckham’s record-setting contract was becoming a team leader.
Beckham’s interview with Anderson will air Sunday.
– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL, the New York Giants, and the NBA. Please like and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.
