Odell Beckham’s father helped set off a firestorm of social media and sports pundits’ posts and positions.
But for the most part, the Cleveland Browns presented a unified and focused locker room to downplay the matter.
That illusion took a hit today with an unattributed quote reported on the NFL Network.
From NFL Now on @nflnetwork, following @AKinkhabwala's reporting on the #Browns and Odell Beckham, on Beckham's role in this standoff right now. pic.twitter.com/Rw4SePu7sx
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 4, 2021
According to Mike Garafalo, an anonymous player told him about Beckham Jr,
“(Beckham) does nothing. He talks to no one. He just has a malcontent attitude.”
An anonymous Browns' player had some things to say about OBJ. 👀 pic.twitter.com/CJPEMuiHUq
— theScore (@theScore) November 4, 2021
This contradicts statements from several players, including Baker Mayfield, that there was no previous sign of a problem with OBJ.
Beckham being upset by his number of touches or his role in the offense makes him a typical wide receiver.
But isolating himself from teammates to the point someone sees him as a malcontent makes him a problem.
Which Story Is Correct?
Video emerged from the Browns’ most recent game that seems to corroborate the malcontent position.
On D’Ernest Johnson’s touchdown, Beckham starts walking off the field immediately upon realizing the runner scores.
Later, Baker Mayfield scrambles to make a third-down conversion and takes a late hit on the play.
Fans gasped as they worried if Mayfield’s shoulder help up, but Mayfield quickly jumps to his feet.
Body language… Seriously, is there anyone more miserable than #13? #Browns pic.twitter.com/marnplf802
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) November 2, 2021
But as cheers greet a fist-pumping Mayfield, Beckham walks right past him with his head down and shoulders slumped.
There is no high five or congratulatory word as the two players pass each other.
The claim that Beckham disassociated himself from the rest of the team in the locker room becomes credible.
Even if most other players publically claim he was a positive presence and a cheerleader.
Is The Locker Room Factioning Off?
Besides the obvious conflict in what type of teammate Beckham was, there is other evidence of problems.
Rashard Higgins and John Johnson were among players who “liked” an anti-Baker Instagram video posted Tuesday.
https://twitter.com/mymixtapez/status/1455616050503077897
Higgins has been a favored target of Mayfield and was adamant about re-signing with Cleveland in the offseason.
And Johnson was brought on board to be a team leader, albeit for the defense.
#Browns S John Johnson III says majority of locker room wants Odell Beckham Jr. back pic.twitter.com/toyNLzuxdZ
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) November 4, 2021
Johnson addressed the issue by voicing his support of Mayfield as the team’s quarterback.
But he also asserts that “most of” the locker room would welcome OBJ back if he returned, tainting his Mayfield remark.
What does “most of” mean, and does it mean players are taking sides in the matter?
Mayfield said all the right things at his Wednesday presser, but his teammates’ words are raising questions.
NEXT: Odell Beckham Sr. Still Talking, Gives Shoutout To Video Producer
I seem to remember OBJ not showing up to some if not all of mini-camp and training camp. I remember the old regime making excuses for his absence. I thought then it was an indicator of his temperament.
The above comment was in reference to when he first joined the Browns.
Let’s see the videos of OBJ in New York and his antics growing old there. Why would a team like the Giants team give up on such a talented receiver? Drama!
The situation in NY was similar in that there were mixed feeling on OBJ from fans and the press. But there was never a teammate, including Eli Manning, who ever said anything bad about him, his practice habits, or will to win. (Thanks for the comment!)
The Brownies are better off without OBJ. All you have to do is look at last year and see how they played without him. He’s a little Crybaby and is not as talented as he wants you to believe. I for one am glad to see him go. He also was not a team player.
I will agree that Mayfield looked more comfortable and put up good numbers.
But one of the best-kept secrets in Cleveland is that the Browns scored (slightly) more points per game in the first 7 games with OBJ last year than in the ensuing 9 games without him.
Thanks for the comment!
Pat, I’m reading through these comments and it’s pretty evident you are riding high on the OBJ team. One could come up with the conclusion that you might be his biggest cheer leader. OBJ is nothing but drama no matter where he has been or where he will go. Was he a terrific receiver at one point in his career absolutely, is he now, not even close. He is a shell of his former self. You say the Browns scored slightly higher with him in games but how many points did he individually contribute too? Hardly any. How many drops on crucial catches has he had? Quite a few. If your not helping your QB out and getting paid millions to drop balls NO QB is going to keep feeding you. Mayfield is NOT Tom Brady, but he sure isn’t Ryan Leaf either. He’s for the most part decently accurate and more times than not puts the ball within a receivers catch zone. Especially an NFL receivers zone. How many times can you hit OBJ on the numbers and he drops those balls before you move on to someone else….. OBJ is your typical drama infested receiver who is about “I” instead of T E A M. His body language, persona, and his fathers PR marketing sums it all completely up. Thanks for the comment!
Beckham is nothing but a diva. We play better wiithout him. Let butterfinger beckham go!
So who cares. Let him go all the Browns are doing now is holding him hostage. No repairing what is broken. Odells a great player despite what the naysayers say. Let that man go so he can be great somewhere else. It’s not with the Browns anymore. I went to two games where Baker looked right at the man saw him wide open and either got sacked or threw the ball somewhere else. Let him go! If the Browns still suck when he isn’t there any more then you a$$ crawlers come back with the same negative energy against Baker and this unknown player that you have against Odell right now. We’re sick of this story line. Let that man go!!!!!
Right now every excuse is being made for Baker. It’s everyone else’s fault that the number one overall pick is a bust. No one wants to say those words. When the number one overall pick does not elevate the team, ranks as the 18th best quarterback in the league, not only is he not worth $35/yearly, but dude is a bust.
There is a segment in CLE that wants Baker to be the face of the franchise, and the city. Wonder why that is? Dude is average at best…
I agree. I really think the best thing for Odell is a new start in a more wide-receiver-friendly offense. Thanks for the comment.
Why aren’t you guys, including Pat & Wendi talking about the contents of the video? We’ve all watched the games! Its just not Odell! Baker is constantly missing on throws, yet you people want to give him a pass! Why is that?
Pat and Wendi, work hard at making Odell out to be the villain, and at the same time make every excuse for Mr. Mayfield, the number overall pick, who is 18th via ESPN quarterback rankings.
What is the deal with wanting a guy who ranks 18th to get paid over $35M a year!!??? Why do you people want to see that happen so bad?
This is a report about what other people did and said.
It is nonsense and insulting to allege I am “working to make OBJ a villain.” He has been one of my favorite players since before “the Catch.” I defended him in NY, called for Gettleman’s firing after the trade, and continued to pull for him in Cleveland.
But he screwed this up and I hope he finds a better situation elsewhere.
And You and I have shared comments enough for you to know I am NOT a blind Baker-Backer.
Thanks for the comments and for reading my stuff. -Pat
Hahaha, never personal Pat! LOL. As Wendi replied to me “Thanks for the passionate response”
And yes, I’ll keep reading, AND responding. Interacting with you and your team is fun.