As long as he doesn’t knock over any more kicking nets or punch any more holes in the walls of visiting stadiums, Odell Beckham Jr. appears to be good with Giants owner John Mara.
That’s the only opinion that really matters when it comes to Beckham skipping the entire optional training activities this year. Mara doesn’t seem to have a problem with that. But the Giants co-owner admitted the gifted wide receiver is still “a work in progress” and hasn’t reached a level of maturity they are comfortable with.
“He knows that he’s got to mature and learn to control his emotions,” Mara said while being interviewed by Mike Francesa on WFAN on Thursday afternoon. “He’s working on that. But one thing about that kid is that when he shows up at work, nobody works harder than he does. He’s so competitive, even in practice. He wants to win so badly.”
Beckham’s desire to win has never been questioned. His volatility on the field is a product of that. But self-inflicted penalties and the potential for self-inflicted injuries if he punches another wall like he did following the playoff loss in Green Bay last January could have devastating consequences.
“He’s obviously had some issues trying to control his emotions,” Mara told Francesa. “He’s working on that and I think he’s going to be just fine going forward. We’re going to have some ups and downs for sure. But in the long run, I’m glad he’s wearing blue.”
It almost sounds like Mara is resigned to knowing Beckham will continue to be a lightning rod on and off the field. It hearkens to the days of Lawrence Taylor, who lived life on the edge, but is viewed as arguably the best player in Giants history.
OTAs are voluntary under the collective bargaining agreement, handcuffing teams from even hinting players should attend. Beckham trained in California during OTAs but arrived as scheduled for the mandatory minicamp last week. He expressed his displeasure with how he has been portrayed in the media by designing cleats with media outlets like the New York Post crossed out. He then denied skipping OTAs had anything to do with posturing for a contract extension, as suggested in various media reports.
Beckham will make $1.83 million this year, and the Giants have picked up his option for $8 million in 2018. The Giants don’t have the cap space to bump Beckham this season without gutting a potential playoff team.
Mara said he had a “great conversation” with Beckham during minicamp and seems happy with whatever was said.
“I wish we had another dozen players like him,” Mara said.