Odell Beckham Jr. Addresses 'Flock Nation': OBJ's Comments, Contract & Ravens 'Gamble'
The Baltimore Ravens secured the services of Odell Beckham Jr. this week and addressed a serious need for the offense. The one-year deal worth up to $18 million certainly raised the collective eyebrow in NFL circles, especially given Odell's injury history.
As OBJ prepares to meet the Baltimore media this week (he arrived in town on Wednesday), three issues to address ...
1 - Odell's first words as a Raven.
"We're ready to get to work, Flock Nation!'' OBJ said as he exited a private jet. "Much love. Let's get it!''
2 - Odell's dollars.
We know about the $15 million guaranteed. How does he earn the $3 mil in incentives?
Per ProFootballTalk.com:
*At least 60 catches earns him $1 mil.
*At least 1,000 yards earns him $1 mil more.
*At least nine TDs earns him $1 mil more.
Or, he can also earn the $1 million times three by leading the team in each category, no matter the numbers.
3 - What about the injury risk?
With $15 million of Beckham Jr.'s contract guaranteed, could the move be seen as a gamble by the Ravens? Former Dallas Cowboy and now NFL analyst Marcus Spears thinks so, but hinted that if the move works, the Ravens are in business this season.
"You either crazy or you a genius," Spears said on ESPN's NFL Live. "Either way is risky, and that's what gambling is. But if this turns out that Odell Beckham Jr stays healthy and has a really good season, and this move creates an avenue, or a lane, in order for you to get Lamar Jackson back, this is one of the biggest moves that we've seen in the league in a minute."
The move for Odell is undoubtedly risky, but as Spears points out, "if" it works, the Ravens will be a serious problem for team's next season.
Of course, much of that is predicated on Lamar Jackson being the quarterback. But we find it hard to believe that Lamar would be involved in signing Beckham Jr. to the Ravens, only for him not to play there next season.
We all know Odell's talent, and when in full flight, he is one of the best in the NFL, but that hasn't been the case over the last few seasons.
The Ravens hope that Beckham Jr.'s injury troubles are behind him, and if he can play most of the season, Baltimore will be one of the favorites for the AFC North title and possibly go on a deep playoff run as well.
There is a lot of "hope" and "if" in this Beckham Jr. move, but what's life without a little risk?
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