Thanks to Odell-created circus, Giants pride getting a bad rap
THERE was a time when the circus supposedly resided in the locker room of the other tenants of MetLife Stadium, but now it seems the Giants can’t escape from becoming the laughingstocks of the NFL.
At least they were on Wednesday when talented rapper Lil Wayne issued a seven-part Instagram video in which he, among other things, ripped Giants quarterback Eli Manning for not listening to his music.
“I was the first to back you up and now you talk about you don’t listen to Lil Wayne,” the rapper says while smoking what looked to be a blunt. “I didn’t say anything bad about you, man.”
He also addresses those critical of his ESPN interview with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. that aired on Sunday with ESPN’s Josina Anderson serving as host. Beckham came under fire for criticizing Manning and seemingly taking issue with Coach Pat Shurmur’s play-calling.
Think about it: It’s two days from the Giants playing the division-rival and defending Super Bowl champion Eagles at MetLife Stadium and the topic of discussion is what Lil Wayne said about Eli?
It’s tough to blame Beckham for what has emerged as a back and forth between Lil Wayne and Manning. But it is the latest residue from his interview that aired before the Giants’ 33-31 loss at Carolina that dropped the Giants to 1-4 on the season.
Yes, it continues to be a bad look for Beckham and the Giants. Everything is a bad look when you’re 1-4, which is why Beckham needs to be smarter about what he does and what he says. But he is hardly the Giants biggest problem. In fact, he’s not really a problem at all. He is more of a symptom — a symptom of a losing culture that is desperately trying to create a new identity.
Look, Beckham is always going to be a lightning rod, be seen with other celebrities and subject to special interviews. Get used to it. His words, tweets and Instagram posts are going to resonate more than the average athlete’s. And he’ll be defended by fans from Lil Wayne to first graders because he’s the Giants best player. What he says is always going to matter.
Clearly, he should have kept some of his opinions about schemes and Manning in-house. But Beckham finds it difficult not to say exactly what he’s thinking. That can be a blessing (for media) and a curse (to the organization).
It’s something Beckham is learning to balance and in the long run will master, though the growing pains can be uncomfortable with Lil Wayne taking shots at the Giants QB on Instagram.
Beckham insists the Giants are coming closer together. If so, it’s a bond that continues to be tested.
“I’ve never felt so close to where all of our mindset is and where we’re heading and where we want to go,” he said. “That fight, that grit, determination, all that — that’s who this team is and that’s what we plan to bring every single, Thursday, Monday night, Sunday game from on out.”
No one would have a problem with what Beckham said Tuesday. He’s ready to move forward even if Lil Wayne wanted to look back.
“I’m excited about the opportunity we have Thursday night,” he said. “Couldn’t come fast enough.”
Let’s hope this has been a learning experience for Beckham. Shurmur doesn’t need the drama. He’s trying to build a winning culture even while losing.
“Nobody in here likes to lose,” Beckham said. “We’re all tired of losing. We want to change that culture, atmosphere or whatever it is because this is a place that has a lot of pride and we want to be able to be proud of what we display.”
Only Beckham and the Giants can stop people from laughing at the Giants.
“Even when I’m in the crib and amongst the homies, every time someone says something bad about you, I be the first one to [defend you].” — Lil Wayne