The new head coach of the New York Giants, Pat Shurmur, apparently likes what he’s hard so far from the always dangerous Odell Beckham Jr.
The numbers are overwhelming.
In his first three NFL seasons, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. played in a total of 43 regular-season contests. He was targeted an astounding 457 times and hauled in 288 passes for 4,122 yards and 35 scores. He totaled 90-plus catches, 1,300 or more receiving yards and at least 10 touchdowns each of those years.
Of course, nothing went right for the organization in 2017. The Giants finished 3-13, setting a franchise record for losses in a season. And Beckham was lost in the team’s Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He wound up with a mere 25 catches for 302 yards and three touchdowns in four games this past season.
The combination of the four-year wideout and veteran signal-caller Eli Manning has been one to watch in recent seasons. Then again, Beckham has earned his share of negative headlines with his antics on and off the field and on seagoing vessels. But that doesn’t seem to matter to the new head coach of this franchise.
Pat Shurmur was officially introduced at a press conference on Friday. And during that event, via John Healy of the New York Daily News, the term “clean slate” was used in reference to the talented pass-catcher.
“I need to get to know what makes him tick,” explained Shurmur, “and I need to talk to him about what it is that we’re looking for for a guy that plays for the New York Giants. And I think those are the things that go back to relationship building that need to happen very, very soon.”
On Monday morning, Big Blue’s newest boss appeared on ESPN’s “Golic and Wingo.” After speaking to Beckham, the coach liked what he heard from the controversial performer.
“Talking to him, he sounds inspired to get ready to have a really good year,” said Shurmur. “So I’m looking forward to that.”
The head coach went a step further during the interview (courtesy of Ed Valentine of Big Blue View). “Took over a 3-13 team. We’ve gotta make some changes. We’ve gotta do a lot of work here.”
