It was 10 minutes of mixed messages from Odell Beckham Jr.
Speaking for the first time since Giants owner John Mara ripped his star wide receiver’s ESPN interview, for which Beckham was fined, saying he needed to do more playing and less talking, Beckham addressed several issues and put it on himself to play better. But he wouldn’t backtrack from his criticism of quarterback Eli Manning and the offense.
“Never. I never have any regrets,” he said Friday before practice as the 1-5 Giants prepared for their Monday night meeting in Atlanta.
Beckman, who signed a $95 million extension in August, mostly sidestepped questions about Manning, the 37-year-old, two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who has come under fire. When asked specifically about Manning’s play, Beckham said: “We’re 1-5. Everybody has to play better.” He included himself in that and shot down a report the team’s receivers were growing frustrated with Manning. Whenever they get in the huddle, he tells Manning: “Take me home, 10.”
As far as the owner, Beckham said: “I respect and value his opinion, obviously,” but the two have yet to sit down to further discuss their back-and-forth. And despite valuing the owner’s opinion that he needs to talk less and produce more, Beckham still doesn’t regret his inflammatory interview, which certainly hasn’t helped matters. But he also made it clear it’s at least partly on him to turn this season around.
“I need to do more,” Beckham said.
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