Vermeil calls Odell ‘immature clown’
There is at least one coach who is fed up with Odell Beckham Jr.’s silly antics. Former Super Bowl winning coach Dick Vermeil blasted the Giants wide receiver on Friday during an interview with 94WIP in Philadelphia.
“There is no correlation between age and immaturity and that guy is an immature clown,” Vermeil said. “Just really, embarrassing.”
“We as coaches have to have some policies and then the guts to reinforce them,” he added. “I think the league should have suspended him.”
Beckham has come under scrutiny for pretending to pee like a dog after scoring a touchdown against the Eagles last Sunday.
The celebration resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a one-on-one meeting with Giants owner John Mara, who said he was “unhappy” with the receiver’s display.
Beckham was relatively unapologetic about it, only saying he embarrassed himself.
Giants head coach Ben McAdoo has done everything he can to avoid discussing it and would not say if Beckham will be disciplined this weekend.
He did say the distractions have not deterred Beckham from their upcoming game against the Buccaneers.
“He’s focused on preparing for the game,” McAdoo said Friday. “He seems dialed in and focused on his preparation.”
Vermeil, who coached the Rams to a Super Bowl championship in 1999, also coached the Eagles and Chiefs.
PRAISE FOR PUGH
The Giants could have their original offensive line back on Sunday.
Right tackle Bobby Hart was not on Friday’s injury report and was projected as limited in the Giants’ walk-through practice on Friday, indicating he will likely return.
That means Justin Pugh, who had filled in for Hart, is likely back at left guard, where Brett Jones is questionable with a hip injury.
McAdoo would not commit to anything, but praised Pugh for the work he did filling in for Hart.
“He’s out there, he’s fighting, he’s competing. He’s done a nice job,” McAdoo said. “He did a nice job in a tough environment versus a very good opponent last week. I have a lot of respect for Justin. He’s earned it.”
INJURY REPORT
No players were listed as out for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers in Friday’s early injury report, while LB Jonathan Casillas (ankle/wrist), Orleans Darkwa (back), G Brett Jones (hip) and DE Olivier Vernon were listed as questionable.
Running back Shane Vereen (calf), who did not practice all week, was not on the report and was projected as limited for Friday’s walk-through practice, which would make the possibility of rookie Wayne Gallman suiting up less likely.
“We’ll take a look at some guys tomorrow,” McAdoo said.
Casillas, however, was the only player projected to not practice while everyone else was projected as limited.