Odell Beckham Jr. believes he is a targeted player
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. says that he must do a better job of controlling his emotions during a game and get a better understanding that he is one of the league's most targeted players.
Beckham was flagged for taunting and caught only three passes for a career-low 23 yards in the Giants' 24–10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Monday.
"I just have to understand if I sneeze the wrong way, it will be a flag," Beckham said, according to the team website. "It will be a fine. If I tie my shoes the wrong way, it might be a fine or a flag. It is what it is. You have to understand that. As tough as it is to understand that for a 23-year-old who has been blessed with a lot that God has given to me—an amazing amount of ability and amazing amount of everything—it seems like it's all working against you."
Beckham got into it with Minnesota cornerback Xavier Rhodes in the second quarter of the game after a four-yard reception, when Rhodes bumped him near the sidelines. Beckham also appeared to bump a line judge during the argument with Rhodes, but was not penalized for that.
Beckham was later seen in the locker room talking with general manager Jerry Reese.
• Odell Beckham’s petulance flares up again in Giants’ loss to Vikings
Giants quarterback Eli Manning wasn't in the mood to hear excuses after the team's second straight loss.
"He's got to be aware," Manning said of Beckham. "People are looking for him. He's got to play smart, and he can't afford to do anything there. They're going to call him. He's brought that on himself, and he's got to realize that."
The Giants (2–2) next take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.
– Scooby Axson
