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| WHAT DOESN'T [MATTER DURING OTA SEASON] Veterans skipping work: Feel free to think less of the next sportscaster or writer who says a player is "holding out" of voluntary offseason practices in shorts. It would be like "holding out" of bowling night with your co-workers, if you had previously negotiated your right to do so. (Feel free to think less of me after making that analogy.) It doesn't matter that Odell Beckham Jr. has missed a few days of OTAs while signing a record-setting deal with Nike that essentially makes the Giants his secondary employer. It doesn't matter that Trent Williams and Jordan Reed are working out away from the Redskins... |
That said, rolling out Cris Carter as your spokesman is bad optics. In fact, it's almost as if Beckham is trying to create headlines. He's acting like a spoiled little bitch.
Except that OBJ didn't roll out anybody. He didn't know that Nick Wright was going to show up, and he had to be persuaded to let him film the workouts. Now, Carter and Wright have their own radio show, and I'm sure that OBJ skipping the OTAs was a topic of conversation, but it's not like Beckham was booking Carter and Wright on the other FS1 programs.
This "controversy" is entirely a media creation, regardless of whether OBJ is, at times, his own worst enemy.
And there are plenty of days that Olivier Vernon can work out in Florida, but nobody gives a damn about that. Nobody's discussing Vernon's absence from the OTAs on ESPN or FS1 or anywhere else. Why is Beckham singled out?
I won't begrudge a player for getting all of the $$$ he wants.
But there is a price. We fans remember championships and playoff wins. That's where true legacy comes from.
Right now, I don't think football is the most important thing in Odell's life. Can he turn it on when he needs to do so? He didn't in the playoffs.
LT half-assed it and was good enough to still excel. (But he probably never reached his true potential either... he never lifted weights until at the end of his career for example).
Beckham may have as few as two or three playoff appearances in his career. He had better be ready.
When it comes time to talk money, management is not going to factor in his OTA attendance record. And Coaches are not going to be so "pissed" that they would rather not have him on the field.
The post, by NewsOne Now managing editor Roland Martin, said: “I’m sick of folks acting like star athletes must always do what a coach asks. McAdoo wants @OBJ_3 at workouts? See ya when it’s mandatory.”
He's also publicizing stuff like his "workouts" with Manziel. Did Carter have Odell's blessing to mouth off yesterday? Who knows?
Again, it's generating $$$.
But he is also reaping what he sows.
He wants it both ways.
Hakeem Nicks' 2011 playoff performance was stunning.
As far as the Roland Martin tweet goes, Martin does have a point. OBJ is under no obligation to show up for a voluntary workout.
Considering all of the crap that OBJ is taking (from the likes of Ross Tucker and others), I think a retweet of one comment supporting him is fine.
And there are plenty of days that Olivier Vernon can work out in Florida, but nobody gives a damn about that. Nobody's discussing Vernon's absence from the OTAs on ESPN or FS1 or anywhere else. Why is Beckham singled out?
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In comment 13483786 Klaatu said:
I don't care if he's a cunt.
I don't care who he hangs out with.
I don't care if he's straight, gay, bi, tri, or whatever.
He gets paid to play football, and he plays it better than just about anyone else in the league. That's all that matters to me. Not showing up to a voluntary workout doesn't. When it's mandatory...when he's contractually obligated to be there...I have no doubt that he'll be there, in tremendous shape, ready to work.
Unless he gets a DWI or is accused of sexual assault
A DWI? Sexual assault? Is there anything in his history that leads you to believe that either one is a real possibility?
While there is nothing in his history to suggest this as a possibility, he can be an easy target by some women who want to make a lot of money. He has to careful that he doesn't get setup and wrongly accused for a sexual assault.
This whole optics thing is so strange to me. Why does Beckham or any other athlete have to make sure what they are doing is ok by the fans? Outside of truly belligerent behavior what difference does it make if Beckham posts a pic on Instagram hanging out with Drake at 10pm on a Friday night? If he doesn't post that pic does that mean hanging out with Drake didn't happen?
Again, I can't stand social media but using it as a way to discredit or undermine the work ethic of a player is bogus IMO.
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And there are plenty of days that Olivier Vernon can work out in Florida, but nobody gives a damn about that. Nobody's discussing Vernon's absence from the OTAs on ESPN or FS1 or anywhere else. Why is Beckham singled out?
At least Vernon has the good sense to stay off social media. Has there been any word from him on why he is skipping OTA's?
No, and it doesn't matter. They're voluntary. No one has to have a reason for not attending. Not the Chiefs players I mentioned...not Eagles' players like Jason Peters and Fletcher Cox.
The only difference is that OBJ gets all of the bad publicity. No one's writing stories on PFT about Justin Houston or Fletcher Cox, but OBJ? All day, every day.
A DWI? Sexual assault? Is there anything in his history that leads you to believe that either one is a real possibility?
While there is nothing in his history to suggest this as a possibility, he can be an easy target by some women who want to make a lot of money. He has to careful that he doesn't get setup and wrongly accused for a sexual assault.
Okay, but that could happen to any rich celebrity - athlete, actor, musician. Hell, it happened to Jay Bromley!
However, it wouldn't be a knock on his character if he was falsely accused of something, and where Kivorka got the idea that OBJ was in danger or getting a DWI or sexually assaulting someone is beyond me.
it is sheer arrogance to project that you and your advisors outside the team know better than anyone else what's best for Odell -- it's show boating -- and if you want to show boat - you are going to get grief when you can't back it up
OBJ is therefore bringing bad attention on himself right now
I love the talent -- but I question what the purpose of all this attention serves
The other problem is the truth of what PT Barnum said: "there is no such thing as bad publicity."
Football fans might have reacted negatively to all the Norman stuff but it's just made Odell even more widely known.
My mother has no idea who Kalil Mack is, vaguely recognizes Tom Brady as an athlete of some sort, but she knows Odell's name and face instantly
But it doesn't look good. Why is Odell under a microscope? Let's be honest. He craves the attention. He loves his pre-game one-handed show. He likes to wear crazy stuff. Whether due to a lack of maturity or attention, he has had a number of on-field and off-field incidents that would garner attention.
So now he's a marked man. When you are a marked man, you either pour gasoline on the fire or try to put out the flames. He's choosing the former.
This is what the deal is. Players in the NFL who Odell plays against want him to fail. There is nothing wrong with that but his tactic of making himself the marked man hasn't worked since he hasn't backed it up all the time. I guess he called out the Ravens and backed it up that Sunday but we all remember Minnesota and Green Bay too. The Packer washout was notable.
As people said, Eli's playoff debut was also a dud. These opportunities aren't guaranteed.
As Giants fans, we have to live with the fact that our star WR is the NFL's biggest diva. It's certainly not a big deal nor is it decisive but it is something hovering over the team. You guys go to the games and see his pregames? It is what it is.
But it doesn't look good. Why is Odell under a microscope? Let's be honest. He craves the attention. He loves his pre-game one-handed show. He likes to wear crazy stuff. Whether due to a lack of maturity or attention, he has had a number of on-field and off-field incidents that would garner attention.
So now he's a marked man. When you are a marked man, you either pour gasoline on the fire or try to put out the flames. He's choosing the former.
Bingo. Not sure how sustainable it is in NY. Guys like Derek Jeter and Eli Manning have thrived in NY because they are boring and say and do the right thing. Guys who garner a lot of attention tend to get burned out when they are constantly the center of attention in the 24/7 media circus.
But it doesn't look good. Why is Odell under a microscope? Let's be honest. He craves the attention. He loves his pre-game one-handed show. He likes to wear crazy stuff. Whether due to a lack of maturity or attention, he has had a number of on-field and off-field incidents that would garner attention.
So now he's a marked man. When you are a marked man, you either pour gasoline on the fire or try to put out the flames. He's choosing the former.
Totally disagree.. He is simply taking advantage of being under the microscope, he is under the microscope because he has become an Icon, he is an Icon because in three short years everyone that has seen him play knows he is truly great. I think its ridiculous to judge him by how he dresses, he has swag, like it or not it makes no difference at all. He hasn't had ANY off the field incidents period. He does get over publicized because he is an Icon and has a huge following, therefore every move he makes is 'posted' and 'shared' and whatnot. He is a marked man but he has that MJ, Lebron, 'it' factor. He is great and he plays on our team. And if he wants to step into the limelight then let him, he can handle it, and we should support him.
Eric from BBI : Admin : 12:02 pm : link : reply
You know who was a "money player" in the playoffs who Giants fans hardly ever talk about?
Hakeem Nicks' 2011 playoff performance was stunning.
Even a guy like Nicks who was clutch for us and gave his all was labeled as "dogging it" by several BBI'ers. That he was a quitter. So it seems even if you are a great playoff performers some dolt fans will turn on you.
But hanging out with Johnny Football and Iggy Azeala seems like poor judgement or at least poor taste. (But really, whatever to that...) Going to Miami after Washington win was poor judgement. The net thing was poor judgement and look at me - not necessary. The Josh Norman thing wasn't really OBJs fault but I do think it exposed his lack of temperament and maturity and, most disconcerting, his lack of focus. Before all the Norman shenanigans there was the easy TD he dropped. I don't care what anyone says about the defense against Rodgers, OBJ came up small in the biggest game of his career. And it wasn't like he had a so so game and just failed to be great. Dude created a problem by going to Miami to celebrate (and did we ever figure out what the hell they were celebrating?) and then he came up small in the playoffs. His next big playoff performance will be his first, his next big media distraction will be, what, number 5, number 6?
I kid about trading OBJ. But then again, I've seen Eli produce with a lot of guys who go on to do just about nothing without Eli. Is OBJ as big a deal in Buffalo or Cleveland? No. So he should have a little more respect for the franchise and the guys around him.
Also, seen some Jerry Rice talk pop up here in regards to a comparison with OBJ. And that's cool as far as 1st playoff games. But Rice is the greatest WR of all time. He was a legendary worker. Worked his effing ass to the bone during the regular season and off season alike. He was a very, very high charecter guy. Among the very best to ever play the game at any position. Did Rice have a bad first playoff game? Ok. But, as great as OBJ has been, and he has been great, he's still not in Rices class. Especially in terms of character.
Think Reese was right when said that OBJ has some growing up to do. Still waiting for that I guess.
I always thought Cruz was a bit of a phony, but he knew how to play the media, and they treated him like a darling because of it.
I don't think Odell is a phony, but he has chosen a path that stirs up the media. Now that may be smarter in terms of his marketing, but again, expect negative media and fan reaction from many quarters.
Odell may be playing this up and laughing about it.
He hates having to deal with the media on this. It sells papers for them so 1/3 to 1/2 of the questions from here on out will be "Odell...Odell...Odell."
It gets tiresome.
Odell does work his ass off. Several players and people associated with the team say he's one of the hardest workers they've ever seen. So basically, if you run up a hill with teammates, that's good - but if you work out elsewhere, that's bad.
That's why this is completely overblown. Odell works hard - he's just not doing it at OTA's, which is actually his right.
He hates having to deal with the media on this. It sells papers for them so 1/3 to 1/2 of the questions from here on out will be "Odell...Odell...Odell."
It gets tiresome.
I am more worried about McAdoo's apparent rigidness towards this and how that may effect their relationship and the season. He is still very unproven as a second year coach. The greater danger IMO is his mishandling the situation than it is Odell not being prepared to play.
Giants players have privately and publicly praised McAdoo. He's not a problem.
Regardless of where you stand on Odell, I would think all must admit he is at least being an unpleasant distraction, especially for the coaching staff.
He's already got chemistry with Eli. I'm glad to see Marshall there as he still needs to sync with Eli. However, OBJ already has that chemistry, already knows the playbook, and the support of his teammates. Marshall also provides better veteran leadership (IMHO) than OBJ at this point so the team doesn't really need that either.
He's a top 3 WR in the league and will still be a top 3 WR when the season starts. Does anyone think missing VOLUNTARY workouts will change that? He's still going to showoff his next celebration dance every Sunday when he scores.
The player's union and the owners agreed to fewer mandatory camps. The owners likely agreed instead of giving up more money. If you and your boss agree to giving you more vacation time instead of a raise are you not going to take it (essentially throwing it away). I'm surprised more players don't show up. It would certainly increase their bargaining position. The owners, GMs, and Coaches can complain all they want about players not attending but if they really wanted that they should have made that a higher priority during negotiations instead of salary.
What I find interesting is there are several threads created that are specific to OBJ not being in camp. I don't see any for Olivier Vernon (if there are I must have missed them). Ya'll remember Vernon don't you? The highest paid DE in the league. A guy who has more to gain and less to lose than OBJ by showing up to camp. Vernon got paid (a lot of which is guaranteed) so why wasn't he showing up? Why isn't anyone complaining just as much about Vernon?
Personally, I'm glad OBJ isn't there. Him not showing up is smart move on his part. The rest is nothing more than the media trying to make a story out of it.
Giants players have privately and publicly praised McAdoo. He's not a problem.
Regardless of where you stand on Odell, I would think all must admit he is at least being an unpleasant distraction, especially for the coaching staff.
Of course he can't but he also needn't escalate tensions simply because a player is choosing to not participate in a voluntary work out. His tone comes off like he is missing something mandatory.
Think Parcells tone with LT. Sure he busted his chops but he also let him get away with a lot because of LT greatness. Win the war not the battle.
The issue with Beckham is more one of optics. He missed the Duke passing game (which is more meaningless than OTAs, but comes at a time when media smells blood). He hangs out with Manziel. He tells Kim Jones "no comment". His surrogate Cris Carter is mouthing off.
Will this mean anything in September 2017? Probably not. But Odell is opening himself up to criticism by the way he is handling this.
Get off social media. But if he does that, he doesn't generate "news" which helps his marketing.
It is what it is. Right or wrong, the perception there is no such thing as bad press to some, and that press will generate attention and dollars.
As I've said, Odell may be laughing about all of this... on his way to the bank.
It give fans something to argue about in May and June.
Possibly but then he would also be smart enough to figure out the best way to get through to him in order to not alienate him. The guy was a master at knowing which players to poke and which needed something else. How and when to push their buttons.
That is what he excelled at and I doubt he would see Odell's greatness and not do everything to tap into it.
Just look at how he butted heads with TO in Dallas. Wasn't good.
Giants players have privately and publicly praised McAdoo. He's not a problem.
Regardless of where you stand on Odell, I would think all must admit he is at least being an unpleasant distraction, especially for the coaching staff.
I'm not sure how you see Odell as a distraction, but not see McAdoo criticizing him to the media (or giving the media anything that can even be remotely construed as criticism) as the same thing. Andy Reid's 3 best defensive players didn't attend OTAs, yet he didn't give the media anything.
As far as being an "unpleasant distraction", McAdoo wouldn't have his current position with Odell. And even with their accolades, the same could be said of Eli and Jerry Reese. That doesn't mean they can't criticize Odell, but what purpose does doing so in the media accomplish? Even if he ignores it, do it to his face EVERY time. Don't give the media anything when the media is already piling on Beckham for things of absolutely zero consequence.
Klaatu, bad optics is what causes threads like this, calls into sports radio shows, and hysteria on ESPN.
My main point being if there was a player that should sit out the voluntary OTA, it's Beckham. I think he has more to lose than gain by attending. He's the poster boy for someone who should sit out these OTAs.
As to opening himself up to criticism I respectfully disagree. I think he's avoiding it. Beckham can't go anywhere without a reporter beating him up. Don't get me wrong. He made his bed but I don't think attending these Volunteer OTAs will fix that or even help much. Keep in mind that he can control his social media but he can't control the questions coming from the reporters. Norman was running his mouth again recently. How many questions would it take before the reporters start asking him about a response to Norman's latest comment? I bet they would tee off with it. Why deal with that?
You make an excellent point though about social media. That's likely only helping his popularity or as they are calling it now, his brand. Goes back to my point of him controlling what's put out there. So many people claim to hate his "antics" or "immaturity" but his stock just keeps going up. I mean he just go the highest endorsement given by Nike for a football player. Those endorsement deals will just keep rolling in.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/05/25/odell-beckham-and-olivier-vernon-miss-giants-otas/102159098/ - ( New Window )
it is sheer arrogance to project that you and your advisors outside the team know better than anyone else what's best for Odell -- it's show boating -- and if you want to show boat - you are going to get grief when you can't back it up
++1
OBJ is therefore bringing bad attention on himself right now
I love the talent -- but I question what the purpose of all this attention serves
Just like he a problem with LT? 'Cells never had an offensive talent at WR like Beckham.
Came up short. Did the same at the home game with Washington. Dude drops passes in big moments. Have him. He is all yours.
Does that mean you'll go away? Because that would be quite the added benefit.
camp. He will be ready when the lights come on. Everyone needs to chillout....
Come on Jake. Criminally underpaid? Who knew he would outperform his contract? I hate when people use that argument. It is inappropriate. Some folks on here like to use the LT analogy but that's also misplaced. Let's be honest here. When has ODB ever "taken over" a game? Now please don't confuse that with making big plays because he obviously has but LT took over games AND made big plays. He dominated and always came up big when it counted. You just can't say that about ODB with regularity
But it doesn't look good. Why is Odell under a microscope? Let's be honest. He craves the attention. He loves his pre-game one-handed show. He likes to wear crazy stuff. Whether due to a lack of maturity or attention, he has had a number of on-field and off-field incidents that would garner attention.
So now he's a marked man. When you are a marked man, you either pour gasoline on the fire or try to put out the flames. He's choosing the former.
This!!!
[quote] love Russia. If Odell was about winning, he would be a leader and he would be at the OTA even though he has every right not to be there. [/quot
Spoken like a true liberal