Eli Manning on Odell Beckham Jr. being a target: He's 'brought that upon himself'
Odell Beckham Jr. is a bit of a mess right now, and not physically. The six inches between his ears need some significant adjusting.
The New York Giants receiver has becoming increasingly emotional and almost uncontrollable the past two weeks in his matchups with Josh Norman and Xavier Rhodes. He was limited to three receptions for 23 yards against the Vikings on Monday night, and also nabbed himself a taunting penalty early in the game.
His battle with Rhodes became chippy as the physicality of Minnesota’s stud corner back clearly got into Beckham’s head. After the game, Beckham said he’s becoming a target for officials.
“When you’re at the top of your game, they’re gonna try to knock you off,” Beckham said, via the New York Daily News.
Ben McAdoo addressed Beckham’s concerning trend of becoming a distraction last week, and now Eli Manning is voicing his opinion. Neither McAdoo nor Manning are taking Beckham’s side, either.
Manning essentially said what all of us are thinking: He’s made this bed for himself, and now he’s forced to sleep in it.
“He’s got to play smart,” Manning said. “He can’t afford to do anything they’ll call. He’s kind of brought that upon himself, so he’s got to realize that… No doubt. Can’t afford the penalties.”
Beckham’s taunting penalty cost the Giants 15 yards, and while it wasn’t the most demonstrative style of gloating, it was undoubtedly unnecessary. The Giants, who were struggling on offense to begin with, can’t afford to have Beckham focused on his personal issues rather than helping the team.
Regardless of whether Beckham is right or wrong for being so boisterous and emotional, he believes the officials are partly to blame for him becoming the focal point each week.
“There’s never an explanation (from the officials),” Beckham said. “It’s always it’s just my fault. That’s all I look at it as, it’s my fault. I just have to understand if I sneeze the wrong way it’ll be a flag, it’ll be a fine. If I tie my shoe the wrong way it might be a fine or a flag.”
The Giants have a multitude of issues, but Beckham shouldn’t be one of them. He’s the most talented player on the team, but he’s also the most emotionally unstable. The Giants may need to sit down with him and help the star receiver change his ways – both on the field and on the sidelines.
