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NFL Insider's Take on Odell Beckham Jr - Amazing Write Up!!!
Posted on 4/24/15 at 10:30 am
Posted on 4/24/15 at 10:30 am
Odell Beckham, New York Giants
Unique is a misunderstood word. It doesn't mean rare or uncommon. As Charles Kuralt once pointed out, it means alone in the universe. After just 12 NFL games, it's safe to say that Beckham is a unique football player. Quite simply we have never seen a young wide receiver with his combination of electric cuts, rare suddenness, fearlessness, suction-cup hands, vertical explosiveness, electrifying on-field charisma and graceful world-class athleticism.
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman raved about the former LSU star's route-running ability after last year's draft. When Beckham finally debuted in October, that was readily apparent. He immediately put All-Pro Richard Sherman on skates, creating easy separation on comeback and go routes. In fact, Beckham gets in and out of his breaks as quickly as any receiver I have ever seen, leaving cornerbacks grasping for air.
It's hard to find a veteran receiver capable of beating the press from the "X" position, excelling on the "Z" receiver's run-after-catch routes, gaining the quarterback's trust out of the slot and winning versus double teams. Despite missing offseason practices and training camp due to a lingering hamstring injury, Beckham still played every wide-receiver position and ran a full route tree as a rookie. Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo got more creative by December, moving him all over the formation. Beckham even showed explosiveness on plays in which he wasn't targeted, clearing space for other targets.
For all of those nuts and bolts, it's OBJ's spectacular one-handed catch that stood out as the play of the year. Prior to that phenomenon, I wrote that I can't get the image of a 1980s era Michael Jordan out of my head when I watch Beckham play. Dominique Wilkins might have boasted a higher vertical jump, but it was Jordan's hand-eye coordination, mid-air dexterity, unparalleled hang time and improvisational creativity that separated him from other noted leapers. Beckham has similar traits -- including hands bigger than 6-foot-5 Calvin Johnson's -- allowing him to consistently win at the catch point despite his smallish stature.
The similarities to Jordan don't end there. The excitement generated by Beckham has already made him a marquee attraction on the New York sports scene and appointment viewing for NFL fans across the globe. More germane to his quarterback, head coach and general manager, a talent of his stature reverses fortunes and saves jobs.
The Question: Will he avoid a career-altering injury?
Giants' Super Bowl hero David Tyree touted Beckham as the most talented football player he has ever seen. In his first nine games as a full-time NFL starter, Beckham averaged nine receptions, 133 yards and one touchdown per game -- numbers no wide receiver has ever sustained in a full season. The sky is the limit, as long as Beckham isn't cut down in the prime of his extraordinary career. That's no small factor in American sports' most physical game, as evidenced by shooting stars such as Gale Sayers, Bo Jackson and Greg Cook.
Comparison: Souped-up Steve Smith-Antonio Brown hybrid with flashes of Michael Jordan.
Is it too over the top?
Unique is a misunderstood word. It doesn't mean rare or uncommon. As Charles Kuralt once pointed out, it means alone in the universe. After just 12 NFL games, it's safe to say that Beckham is a unique football player. Quite simply we have never seen a young wide receiver with his combination of electric cuts, rare suddenness, fearlessness, suction-cup hands, vertical explosiveness, electrifying on-field charisma and graceful world-class athleticism.
Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman raved about the former LSU star's route-running ability after last year's draft. When Beckham finally debuted in October, that was readily apparent. He immediately put All-Pro Richard Sherman on skates, creating easy separation on comeback and go routes. In fact, Beckham gets in and out of his breaks as quickly as any receiver I have ever seen, leaving cornerbacks grasping for air.
It's hard to find a veteran receiver capable of beating the press from the "X" position, excelling on the "Z" receiver's run-after-catch routes, gaining the quarterback's trust out of the slot and winning versus double teams. Despite missing offseason practices and training camp due to a lingering hamstring injury, Beckham still played every wide-receiver position and ran a full route tree as a rookie. Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo got more creative by December, moving him all over the formation. Beckham even showed explosiveness on plays in which he wasn't targeted, clearing space for other targets.
For all of those nuts and bolts, it's OBJ's spectacular one-handed catch that stood out as the play of the year. Prior to that phenomenon, I wrote that I can't get the image of a 1980s era Michael Jordan out of my head when I watch Beckham play. Dominique Wilkins might have boasted a higher vertical jump, but it was Jordan's hand-eye coordination, mid-air dexterity, unparalleled hang time and improvisational creativity that separated him from other noted leapers. Beckham has similar traits -- including hands bigger than 6-foot-5 Calvin Johnson's -- allowing him to consistently win at the catch point despite his smallish stature.
The similarities to Jordan don't end there. The excitement generated by Beckham has already made him a marquee attraction on the New York sports scene and appointment viewing for NFL fans across the globe. More germane to his quarterback, head coach and general manager, a talent of his stature reverses fortunes and saves jobs.
The Question: Will he avoid a career-altering injury?
Giants' Super Bowl hero David Tyree touted Beckham as the most talented football player he has ever seen. In his first nine games as a full-time NFL starter, Beckham averaged nine receptions, 133 yards and one touchdown per game -- numbers no wide receiver has ever sustained in a full season. The sky is the limit, as long as Beckham isn't cut down in the prime of his extraordinary career. That's no small factor in American sports' most physical game, as evidenced by shooting stars such as Gale Sayers, Bo Jackson and Greg Cook.
Comparison: Souped-up Steve Smith-Antonio Brown hybrid with flashes of Michael Jordan.
Is it too over the top?
6
Posted on 4/24/15 at 10:34 am to shaqdaddy
Next LSU WR coach!!!
Posted on 4/24/15 at 10:37 am to shaqdaddy
quote:
Comparison: Souped-up Steve Smith-Antonio Brown hybrid with flashes of Michael Jordan.
quote:
Is it too over the top?
nahhhh
Posted on 4/24/15 at 10:42 am to Ash Williams
Posted on 4/24/15 at 10:45 am to shaqdaddy
He's a Tiger to the core too. Nice article.
Posted on 4/24/15 at 11:27 am to shaqdaddy
Jeez that was a little much
He's a superstar but he wouldn't be the first one year wonder in the history of the league. Not even the first from LSU
Hope he keeps ballin
He's a superstar but he wouldn't be the first one year wonder in the history of the league. Not even the first from LSU
Hope he keeps ballin
Posted on 4/24/15 at 11:49 am to wildtigercat93
I understand that but he put up number almost nobody in history has put up that quick
Posted on 4/24/15 at 12:49 pm to shaqdaddy
Where was this type of analysis during his pre-draft workouts?
Posted on 4/24/15 at 1:06 pm to Willie Stroker
quote:
Where was this type of analysis during his pre-draft workouts?
He went from a fringe first rounder to a top 10 pick after his workouts...id say this kind of hype was out there pre draft
Posted on 4/24/15 at 2:12 pm to wildtigercat93
quote:
e went from a fringe first rounder to a top 10 pick after his workouts
I was a huge OBJ fan while he was in college but when the Giants took him where they did I thought it was a stupid move. The year he had was nothing short of amazing. Hope he can keep playing at that high of a level.
Posted on 4/24/15 at 4:57 pm to shaqdaddy
How many sons does he have?
Posted on 4/24/15 at 5:21 pm to RummelTiger
quote:
Next LSU WR coach!!!
He needs to go on and marry Lolo Jones or Mo Isom and get Odell3 headed our way.
Posted on 4/24/15 at 8:42 pm to shinerfan
If he went to bama would you guys think he was better than Antonio Brown....
To me Antonio brown is the best WR in the nfl right now.
To me Antonio brown is the best WR in the nfl right now.
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