EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - A lot has been written about Odell Beckham Jr. losing his cool on the bench during the New York Giants’ game against Josh Norman and the Washington Redskins.
The third-year receiver looked agitated at times, mouthed off and had to be confronted on at least two occasions by new coach Ben McAdoo about keeping his poise.
That’s Beckham though. The 23-year-old is intense. He plays hard, and he wants to win in the worst way.
It didn’t happen Sunday in the Redskins’ 29-27 win on a fourth-quarter field goal.
Despite being a distraction on the sideline, Beckham played well for the Giants (2-1).
Going one-on-one with the immensely talented Norman most of the game, he had seven catches for a season-high 121 yards. His best plays came in the fourth quarter with the game on the line.
That’s why quarterback Eli Manning wasn’t concerned about Beckham on Wednesday when the Giants went over game film and started preparations for Monday night’s game in Minnesota against the undefeated Vikings.
In fact, he doesn’t feel Beckham is a distraction.
“He’s an emotional player. He plays hard, he wants to win,” Manning said. “He wants to go out there. There are times where guys can get fired up on the sidelines when stuff happens. It’s all: ’Hey, can we get back poise, go out there, produce and make the plays.’ So again, I’m not worried about it. I think he’s making plays and doing a lot of good things. He’ll continue to do that.”
Manning said he never talked to Beckham about what got him so upset.
What’s more important is to stop making the mistakes that cost them this past weekend. They turned the ball over three times, including a fourth-quarter interception thrown by Manning in the red zone. They now have seven in three games.
New York also can’t have a repeat of the penalties. There were 11 for 128 yards, including five 15-yarders, including two that led to the ejection of center Weston Richburg.
“We have to understand that we have to protect the football,” Manning said.
“We can’t give them a short field. We have to play smart. Smarter than what we’ve been doing. Hopefully we can still go out there and execute. Hit some big plays and be explosive. We have to continue to do some of the good things that we’ve been doing.”
The offense has moved the ball, but it has scored only one touchdown in the second half.
“I think, obviously, we’re getting down there, we just have to find a ways; turnovers hurt, the penalties hurt,” Manning said. “So we have to find ways to stay in a good rhythm and good down and distance and not have the negative plays.”
New York lost halfback Shane Vereen for the season with a torn triceps muscle on Sunday. He was starting for Rashad Jennings, who hurt his left thumb in the win over New Orleans the previous week.
Jennings’ hand was not taped on Wednesday and he said he expected to practice on Thursday. Whether he plays is up to the medical staff. If he can’t, Orleans Darkwa, Bobby Rainey and rookie Paul Perkins are next in line.
“Every single back in our running back room is capable of getting the job done,” Jennings said.
“There’s no question about that. I’ve said that from day one. I think we did a good job. They understood the offensive system and how we were going to attack the Redskins defense. They plugged in and made plays along the way. Hats off to our offensive line and receivers blocking down field. They made some big plays.”
The Giants also have to worry about the cornerbacks this week. Starter Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) and first-round draft pick Eli Apple (hamstring) said they felt a little better on Wednesday.
Rodgers-Cromartie has done some light jogging. Apple does not know if he will practice on Thursday, but he had a hamstring injury at Ohio State and did not miss a game.
Trevin Wade and Leon Hall got a lot of work against the Redskins, who had six passes of 20 or more yards, including touchdowns of 55 and 44 yards.
“We were undisciplined last game, it showed up in the penalties and also showed up on defense, giving up big plays,” linebacker Jonathan Casillas said.
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