There is always an adjustment period when a person changes jobs. It’s no different for an NFL football player, even one with the talent of Odell Beckham.
The new Cleveland Browns wide receiver is adjusting to life in Cleveland in comparison to New York. It has been nearly three months since general manager John Dorsey signed off on the blockbuster trade to bring in Beckham. Even that has been enough time to fully adjust to Beckham’s new surroundings. Of course that’s partly on him for only attending one voluntary workout session.
Beckham is in attendance for mandatory minicamp. Now it’s time to catch up on learning the Browns’ offense.
LIVE: Odell Beckham Jr. at the podium. https://t.co/uFRoDl9oUp
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 5, 2019
“I am still getting there.,” Beckham said. “I feel good, though, just to be back out here. It is what you dreamed of all your life and in a new place, new environment so just catching on, catching up with teammates and trying to make sure I get back to where I know I can be.”
Beckham spent about 20 minutes answering questions from the media following day two of mandatory minicamp. He handled it very well. Beckham answered all the questions professionally including about his decision to skip most of the voluntary sessions.
“Everybody knows their body,” Beckham said. “I know my body better than anybody else. I know what it takes to get me in top physical condition, mental and all of those things. This is not my first rodeo. It is not my first go round. I just know what it takes to get there.”
So how far along is the former New York Giants pass catcher in regards to learning the Browns offense.
“New plays, new position, everything. Just adjusting to it,” Beckham said. “I have always been a pretty smart guy as far as when it comes to the playbook. It will not be anything to pick up. It will not be too hard to pick up.”
Baker to Beckham. TD. pic.twitter.com/guUjH2BKxW
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) June 4, 2019
Head coach Freddie Kitchens and offensive coordinator Todd Monken plan to use Beckham both inside and outside. Beckham is ready for whatever is thrown at him moving forward.
“It just creates match-up problems. Usually, some receivers they go to the left side or they go to the right side,” Beckham said. “When you have somebody that can move all the way around, it helps the offense out more. You can’t really gameplan for it. You do not know where exactly I am going to be. It really just makes it a lot harder for the other team to game plan.”
Beckham and the Browns conclude minicamp on Thursday. After that it’s training camp starting in late July.
Scott Piker is the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage.com. So follow him on twitter @ScottPikerSport
