New York Giants: It’s Time To Move On From The Boat Controversy

The New York Giants didn’t lose to the Green Bay Packers because of a boat trip. It’s time to move on from this controversy and stop blaming Odell Beckham Jr.

The New York Giants have concluded the 2016 NFL season and are now preparing for a defining offseason. The tasks on the agenda include solidifying the offensive line, improving the ground game, and finding Eli Manning’s heir apparent.

The first priority for the Giants and the fan base, however, should be to move on from the boat trip heard ’round the world.

For those unfamiliar, the wide receivers infamously took a boat trip prior to the Wild Card Round. It was viewed as a distraction to the team and, in the wake of a 38-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, was cited as the reason for the defeat.

Star safety Landon Collins told ESPN’s First Take that he and the defensive backs were invited to the boat trip, but declined. Per Jordan Raanan of ESPN’s NFL Nation:

"“We actually were invited. We decided not to go,” Collins said. “Just we wanted — there’s a receivers group and there is [defensive backs] group — so it was like I’m going to go with my DBs. And we decided to do something different.”"

The actual tone of Collins’ comments wasn’t nearly as bad as some are making it out to be.

Collins’ comments on the issue were dismissive. He opposed the theory that the boat trip influenced the receiving corps’ overall level of play against the Packers and remained loyal to his team.

Here’s hoping that the rest of Giants Nation will come around and stop placing the blame on Beckham for a team loss.

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The Giants’ receiving corps may not have stepped up against the Packers, but the boat trip has become nothing more than a scape goat.