The New York Giants are very dependent on their star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., but this season he has been more of a distraction than a helper. OBJ feels not only is he a target for quarterback Eli Manning, he’s also a target for the referees as everyone is watching him and his uncontrollable emotions. He had a career-worst 23 receiving yards on just three catches against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday. He also was flagged for a taunting penalty, and he repeatedly clashed with Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes just one week after his latest confrontation with outspoken cornerback Josh Norman. Beckham says he’s he’s not having fun anymore. Former Giants coach Tom Coughlin (2004-2015) says he wants to help the young player. The league is also helping Beckham as well.
A source told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder on Wednesday that NFL officiating crews have actually been instructed to be watchful of opponents trying to provoke Beckham into acts that might result in a penalty. The source also said Beckham has to be willing to help himself with more appropriate behavior.
“For his own good, [he needs to learn to channel his passion],” Coughlin, who coached the Giants from 2004 through 2015, told the CBS Sports Network on Tuesday. “And I would love to try to help him in this regard because I think so highly of him. … He is a distraction. If you watch a game, the camera is on him the whole time.”
“He really believes that he is at his best at the top of his passion,” Coughlin said. “He is so talented. I don’t think there’s anything the kid can’t do. He is a good kid. He is a team guy in the team room. It’s just when he gets on the field, there’s only one way he knows how to play.”
