OBJ: ‘Respect, value’ Mara’s opinion for less talk

11:02 am | October 19, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:

2:43 PM ET

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Odell Beckham Jr. said he respected and valued the opinion of New York Giants co-owner John Mara that the star wide receiver make more noise with his play rather than his words.

“I wish he would create the headlines by his play on the field as opposed to what he says and what he does off the field,” Mara said Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings. “I think he needs to do a little more playing and a little less talking.”

Mara is unhappy with his team’s start to the season and Beckham’s comments in an interview with ESPN’s Josina Anderson. The Giants are 1-5 entering Monday night’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Mara even used the word embarrassed to describe his current feelings.

Beckham seemed to take the critique in stride.

“I respect and value his opinion, obviously,” Beckham said. “So that’s what we’re going to do, like I said, focus on Atlanta right now. That’s really it.”

Mara told Newsday earlier this week the two would eventually sit down and talk. Beckham said that hasn’t yet happened, but intimated they have talked, just not in an extended session.

Beckham took the high road when asked whether he should be free to speak his mind.

“I’m ready to talk about the Atlanta Falcons. That’s really it,” Beckham said. “That’s the focus right now. We need to start winning games. I want to win too, just as bad as everybody else. That’s really it. I just want to win.”

Beckham questioned his role and quarterback Eli Manning‘s part in the team’s offensive struggles during his recent interview with ESPN. He made it clear Friday that he had no regrets for his comments.

That’s not how he operates.

“Never,” Beckham said. “I’ve said this all the time: Never have any regrets. At one point in time, it was exactly what you wanted to say. It is what it is. I don’t believe in everything is a test or anything like that. Everything is an opportunity to learn and grow. That’s really it. There are no more tests. The testing is over. You’ve prepared for the test, you’ve studied for them. It’s just an opportunity to learn and grow.”

Following the interview, Beckham later addressed the team on the Saturday night before their last-second loss to the Carolina Panthers. Coach Pat Shurmur publicly condemned Beckham for his actions and comments.

The Giants also fined him an undisclosed amount.

“It is what it is,” Beckham answered when he was asked about the discipline for the first time. “You just take it on the chin. You know, it is what it is.”

Shurmur wants to move past the incident. It’s two weeks in the past and the Giants desperately need a win. He’s spoken to players in a group and some privately about how they’re also going to be judged by what they say and how they act.

“I mean, [Beckham] spoke. I’ve moved on from that,” Shurmur said. “The ESPN interview is going to be part of our DNA. We’ve moved on and I think that is important for everybody to understand. But it’s not when everybody keeps asking him about it, right? And if he tells you the same answer all the time then that is that.”

Beckham was asked again Friday about Manning’s play. He denied there was any doubt inside the locker that Manning can still get the job done.

Manning has thrown just six touchdown passes in six games.

“I think that we’re 1-5 and we need to start winning games,” Beckham said. “Everybody needs to pick it up. I need to play better. I can’t say that I’ve had my best game. I can’t say I’ve done enough to help this team win and I need to do more. Everybody needs to do more. Everybody has to pick it up. We win games together, we lose them together. There is no other way around it. It’s a team sport.”

Beckham has 45 catches for 506 yards but only one touchdown. He knows he can do better.

But he also didn’t know for sure whether he believes Manning can get them to where they need to go.

“You have to ask him. I tell him every time we get into the huddle, “Take me home, 10,” Beckham said. “What he says to me carries weight because he’s been there. He knows how to win. He knows what he’s doing. He’s the most prepared of anybody I’ve ever seen and that is exactly what I say, ‘take me home.'”

It hasn’t happened enough this season. The Giants enter this week 27th in the NFL averaging 19.5 points per game in an eventful six weeks for Beckham and Co. Has it helped him grow?

“I guess we’ll see,” Beckham said. “I feel like I’ve grown since last year but there are still times when I find myself in a situation. Only time can tell. No talking, words. It’s all about actions.”

His next opportunity to prove it is Monday night in Atlanta.

“My focus is on football,” Beckham said. “I need to do more. I need to do better. Period. There is nothing more I can say about it.”