Color me NOT surprised!!!
Giants get a chuckle: Odell Beckham already in hot water in Cleveland..
The Cleveland Browns were thrilled when they landed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants in an offseason trade, alleging they were content with all aspects of who OBJ was.
That was all well and good until Beckham started missing organized team activities — a common offseason habit of his — and then the tone began to change.
Initially, Browns head coach Freddie Kitchens dismissed Beckham’s absence, but that went by the wayside earlier this week as the superstar receiver continued to skip practice.
Asked what he wants to see of him next week in mandatory minicamp, Kitchens said, “I just want to see him.”
What did he miss?
“A lot — the offense.”
Kitchens’ first message to Beckham was, “I love you.” His current message to Beckham is, enough is enough. It’s time to get it together.
Thus far, Beckham has attended just a single OTA, also skipping the team’s voluntary minicamp and making no commitment to the upcoming mandatory minicamp.
This was a common theme for Beckham in New York, and one that led to a disconnect between him and the front office/coaching staff, who repeatedly expressed the importance of OTAs, gelling with teammates and learning the offense.
Kitchens may have expected this to be temporary as Beckham wrapped his mind around the trade, but months later, little has changed.
“I have never disputed the fact that it is not important for him to be here, but it is also also important for him to be mentally ready to be here,” Kitchens said, via NJ Advance Media. “I’m not giving him an out by any stretch of imagination, and nobody here knows the conversations that Odell and I have. I’m just saying it is better for him to be here when he can present his best self – emotionally, physically, everything.”
While some are quick to dismiss the value of OTAs, former players continuously acknowledge their benefit in terms of cohesion and learning the playbook. And given that Beckham is entering a brand new locker room and a new offensive system, his absence is, in fact, meaningful.
Giants general manager Dave Gettleman may not get the last laugh, but he’s gotten the first one. Another feather goes into his cap amid relentless criticism.
Giants get a chuckle: Odell Beckham already in hot water in Cleveland
