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Wednesday Media Transcript: WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Eric from BBI : Admin : 9/7/2016 4:14 pm
WR Odell Beckham Jr.

September 7, 2016

Q: What are you most excited about or most anticipating about this offense against Dallas on Sunday?

A: I’m just excited to hit the field. It felt like it’s been way too long. The offseason, at some point, you’re like, man, it’s been way too long and then you get here and it’s like it was way too short. Honestly, I’m just ready to get back on the field. We’re installing some things, going over the game plan, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.

Q: Is it always special playing Dallas?

A: Yes. I grew up a little bit in Texas. My pops, until I came here, was a Cowboys fan. Now he’s converted to the right side. There’s something about playing in that stadium. It’s just an amazing place and you’re playing against a team that I watched growing up. When you think of football, you think of these two teams. It’s just a wonderful matchup.

Q: The last couple of years you guys have gone in at what seems to be a little less than 100 percent in the season opener. It seems like this year you guys have your full complement?

A: You have to hit the ground running. I remember the game last year. Just being right there and coming up short doesn’t leave a good taste in your mouth. This is a very good Dallas team that we’re going to go against again, just like every year. It’s definitely a challenge that we have ahead of us. I think everyone is excited about the opportunity and is ready to play football.

Q: What has it been about the opening game for these teams the last few years?

A: Like I said, you just have to hit the ground running. There’s no warming up or easing into it. The first game is this week and you have to hit it.

Q: It’s real now, you and Victor Cruz. It’s finally going to happen. What do you think about that at this point?

A: I’m just ready to be out there with him. Coming from college, going into the league, I watched a lot of his film. I’ve seen what he can do. I’ve stolen bits and pieces from him whether he knows it or not. I’m excited to have him back, if not more excited. I’m just as excited, I think, for him to be able to get back on the field and do what he loves.

Q: What are your expectations for him? Is it realistic for him to just come right back in and be what he was?

A: In my opinion, yes, but I guess we’ll see Sunday. Knocked the rust off, got some preseason games. He’s feeling good. Mentally, when you’re in a good state, the rest will control itself. Just staying as positive as possible. I know he’s more than excited. Anxious, nervous, all of those feelings. I’m sure after the first tackle, you’ll see 80 again.

Q: How much better of a team are you guys with Victor Cruz and yourself playing together?

A: We’ll have to wait and see. I could tell you this, that and the other and go out and not be that. It’s kind of one of those things where we have to go out and we’ll see Sunday.

Q: Two of your least productive games last year were against the Cowboys. Is that something you’re aware of and is there something they did in particular that you thought they were able to have success with?

A: No, it just happened that way. First game last year was in Dallas’ stadium and, like I said, we really didn’t hit the ground running. It was kind of lackadaisical and we were going through the motions. Make sure this year we hit it and get it right.

Q: What kind of a challenge does Brandon Carr present?

A: He’s a vet. He’s a savvy guy. Very strong. He’s tough to get around. Just like every defense, there’s voids in it and there’s spaces you have to get into. At the end of the day, you’re going to have to beat some man coverage. It should be some good matchups. Mo Claiborne over there, Scandrick coming back, it’s going to be a highly anticipated game, I’m excited.

Q: Does Dallas resent that you poster-ized them with your one-handed catch?

A: I don’t know if I’m necessarily liked anywhere, really. It just is what it is when we’re on the field; off the field, there’s no hard feelings for me anywhere. At the end of the day, it’s football. I can’t control who resents, likes, doesn’t like, in a sense. We just go out there, handle our business, play football and keep it moving from there.

Q: Do you think you have become the villain?

A: I don’t know. You tell me. Could be that way, couldn’t be that way, I don’t know. I’m more focused on this year and accomplishing the goals that we have set out. Winning games.

Q: Why do you think that perception is out there?

A: Because it is. I don’t know. I have fun. I’m myself at all times and I don’t think it’s necessarily liked all the time, unless you’re on my side. I can’t really control that. Like I said, I can’t control who likes, doesn’t like, likes me. It’s football at this point.

Q: Can you talk about the leadership Victor gave while he was away, what he was able to do and what that meant for you?

A: It means a lot more that can ever really be explained. For a guy who wants to play football so bad but is still dedicated enough to his team to be here. To throw in his opinion, what he’s learned, he’s experienced. He’s been there for us all the way. To finally have him back, I don’t know how to explain it. I’m excited. I want to see him play, I want to see him do well and see him at the end of the year at the ESPYs with Comeback Player of the Year. That’s what I expect from him and that’s what I would love to see.

Q: You were saying before that you stole some things from him. Was leadership one of those things?

A: I think everyone is a leader in their own way. Everyone has their own style. There’s some people who lead by example, there’s some people who lead by the way they play and there’s some people that lead by talking or whatever it may be. Everyone has their own way and express it in different ways.

Q: Ben McAdoo talked about it being hard to match the stats you put up the last two years. Do you think those numbers are still attainable to grow and achieve and would you be disappointed if they weren’t?

A: I definitely want to get better each and every year. Whether it’s put up better numbers, but I just want to get better every year. The numbers mean something in a sense, but the 6-10 number, flip that around, 10-6 means a lot more. I just hate losing. I’m cool with other people being open, we’re scoring. There’s no better feeling than being on the field and everything is clicking and we’re winning games. I remember my freshman year in college. We were 13-0 and I wasn’t going for 120 yards a game. It was 50 yards, five catches, the blocks that you made to spring a running back. It’s really about winning. I hate losing.
I loved this comment:  
CT Charlie : 9/7/2016 8:29 pm : link
" I don’t know if I’m necessarily liked anywhere, really." Sounds like a healthy perspective, and he doesn't dwell on it. I'm annoyed by the writers' habit of pushing him, hoping that he'll give them headline (or bulletin board) material, but he's showing a lot of discipline here.
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