Execution Becomes the Moment of Truth for Giants’ Beckham
By Curt Macysyn
What everyone thinks about Odell Beckham’s confrontation with Josh Norman last season matters no longer. As the New York Giants face off against the Washington Redskins on Sunday, reflection means nothing. That should have already occurred. What matters is a singular focus on execution by the team and its star.
From the standpoint of Big Blue, it was a personal and organizational failure. Beckham acted unprofessionally. Head coach Tom Coughlin should have benched him. And the organization should have protected its house better.
Those teaching moments should be filed away already. What matters now is execution, and not just an offensive scheme. Call it the “Norman Plan”.
Player Execution
Whoever thinks common sense always prevails in the NFL, ought to check some game film. So the idea that this situation will self-regulate is pure folly. The Giants should absolutely take steps to manage any potential eventualities.
Call it risk management. It’s something that every quality corporation practices.
The New York Daily News reported on Sep. 22, 2016, the Giants plan was to “kill the Redskins with kindness.”
“The Giants are playing this cool for good reason, though: resurrecting the Norman-Beckham charade represents Washington’s best chance to win this game,” Pat Leonard points out.
Well if that originally was the game plan, then no one told Mr. Keenan Robinson.
If players and coaches have not talked about keeping a lid on things, then something is wrong. Or if that discussion was had, and Robinson still stuck his nose in the Redskins’ business as reported by ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, his wallet ought to be lighter.
Someone please explain where the common sense was when Robinson opened his mouth. When going for a title, stupid mistakes often sink an entire team.
Beckham Execution
After a great start to his NFL career, Odell Beckham is in a strange place. Statistically, he is not as prolific as he was in his first two seasons. But his team appears at the top of the division standings. Beckham has shown up at the intersection of personal stats and team play.
How will he handle the situation?
Tough times usually don’t build character, they reveal it. On Sunday, Beckham’s statistics and ego have to take a back seat to victory. For a guy who wants to carry the load, that’s not an easy order.
ESPN reported on Sep. 21, 2016 that Norman will shadow Beckham on Sunday.
“Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman will follow New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. during Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium, a Redskins source told ESPN’s Britt McHenry on Wednesday.”
If true, Bashaud Breeland, Washington’s other cornerback, will then have his hands full with the tandem of Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz. The optimal outcome would be that Beckham torches Norman and the Giants win. But how realistic is that?
A more likely scenario would be OBJ catches five passes on eight targets and a Giants victory. Allow Manning to take advantage of match-ups and utilize Shepard, Cruz, Shane Vereen and Larry Donnell.
Remember, Donnell, once upon a time, had three touchdown receptions against the Redskins.
Team Execution
The Beckham – Norman game feud had its foundation in team warm-ups last December. The fact that the Carolina Panthers seemingly were allowed to run roughshod over the field at MetLife Stadium represented an organizational failure.
One would think that security personnel is out on the field for a reason. Protecting players from fans in the stands, and handling pregame disputes. Why else are they out there?
The next angry letter that John Mara fires off to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will be the first. But allowing the Carolina Panthers to brandish a baseball bat during pregame lacked common sense (see paragraph 1).
Don’t let this seem like an excuse for Beckham’s subsequent behavior. The fact is that the seeds of discontent were planted by blissful ignorance in pregame. Can we ever imagine in the world of Bob Craft and Bill Belichick that a baseball bat would come anywhere close to Tom Brady?
I hope you’re listening John Mara.