WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Postgame vs Dallas, December 11, 2016
I’ll talk about us winning and the defense holding the game down. Clearly one of the best teams in the league. They have two young guys up there doing their thing. One of the best receivers in the league and they found a way to hold them to seven points. That’s really the story.
Q: Your TD was the only Giants touchdown of the night?
A: I just caught a slant. Tried to hit a gear. I looked back, well actually, I didn’t have to look back I could just hear someone running. I was running as fast as ever. I felt someone chasing me. I had to hit another gear. My hamstrings got a little tight, but it was a real race. I really had to run. I just got the opportunity I missed early in the game. Haven’t really had the chance to be on the JUGS as much as I am used to with the thumb. I don’t care about that anymore. Whatever it is, tomorrow, I’ll be in there on the JUGS machine. Just way too many drops and way too many plays I missed out on.
Q: Did you know you had that gear?
A: I knew it was in there but I didn’t know how to hit it until, they just call it flight or fight, I think. It’s just instinct. He made me dig. I love competing against him. He’s excellent. It’s very hard to beat him. He’s a bigger, stronger corner. I have a lot of respect for him. We found a way to get the W tonight.
Q: What about the fact that the Cowboys have lost two games this year and you have won both of them?
A: I don’t know if that’s something to say about us or something to say about them. We found a way to get the win tonight.
Q: Do you think that a team can have another team’s number?
A: I don’t know what it is. To me, personally, watching when you’re not on the field and just seeing what that defense does, it makes all the difference in the world. A quote I’ve heard for the longest time is offense wins games, but defense wins championships. This is a championship defense. Disregarding the other components of this team, whether it is special teams or offense, this defense is a championship defense. They come through pretty much every single game. We just have to find ways to be more explosive. That’s the bottom line. We have to find ways to get stuff done and execute the calls. Find ways to be more creative and get everyone involved. If we’re winning 10-7, we’re still winning. That’s really the most important thing
Q: Can this game be like a spring board to doing really good things in January?
A: I don’t know. I think that would’ve been the goal all along. It definitely helps us and puts us in a better position. You have to find a way. Now we’re focused on Detroit. A very good team in my mind. They have a bunch of guys, a bunch of playmakers. Stafford at quarterback, they’re going to be a good challenge, a good team for us. We just have to put our best foot forward.
Q: Could you see the defender gaining on you on the score?
A: Absolutely. You could feel it. You could feel it. I don’t know if it was a sixth sense or whatever but you could feel it on your neck and back. I just found a way to turn it on. Shout out to my mom, thank you for the hamstrings. I think I got it from her a little bit. No disrespect, pops, but she might beat you in a race.
Q: How was this game for you?
A: It was special. I wish us as an offense, the two or three chances we had, would close the game out. Even if you don’t close it and it’s 17-7 or even if we get a field goal, it would take more time off the clock. Just finding ways for us to not have to put anyone else back on the field. That’s the hardest part. It’s frustrating. I don’t even want our defense to come back out. I want the defense to be sitting there eating candy, untying their shoes knowing that the offense has this game in control. Just knowing that they don’t even have to go back on the field. It’s something that we’re working on and it’s something that’s a process. It’ll come together at the right time, I truly believe that.
Q: Things haven’t clicked yet, but you’re 9-4. That’s a silver lining?
A: Yes. Hats off to the defense. They’ve been finding ways to put us in the best positions even if we’re not doing the most. Truly, what an amazing atmosphere and opportunity to play in a game like this. It felt like LSU, Alabama. It was great.
Q: What was this week’s preparation like?
A: It was an intense week; I cannot lie to you. What happens in our locker room and on the practice field stays over there. I’m just going to let you know it was a very intense week. We were on each other heavy. Just making sure everyone was doing what they were supposed to be doing when they were doing it. I think the coaches came out and were very well prepared. I think the biggest thing for me was just finding ways for us to end the game.
Q: When you scored the touchdown, did you look at it as a make up for the previous drops?
A: Absolutely. I told myself, ‘you need to wake up. I don’t know what’s going on with you but you need to wake up. You’re on auto pilot or whatever the case may be. You’re not out here affecting this game or doing anything.’ That bothers me. It eats me up. I feel like I work too hard. We’re up all day, meetings and everything for these 60 minutes on Sunday. It just kills me to be able to come out here and not do what you’re supposed to be doing. I just had to talk to myself and the man above. I said, ‘wake me up. It’s time to wake up.’ Sure enough, we came to life.
