Sunday night special serves Packers-Giants

McAdoo returns to face old friends and his former team

Green Bay, Wis. — Giants coach Ben McAdoo will catch up with old friends when he returns to Lambeau Field.

Odell Beckham Jr. just wants to make more catches.

Maybe Beckham will start making headlines again for his receiving talents when the Giants visit the Green Bay Packers tonight (8:30, Chs. 10, 30). This week, the chatter around the league concerning Beckham has mainly been about the wideout's tantrums. McAdoo wants Beckham to channel that frustration into production .

"No, I like him as a salty, competitive player. That's when he plays at his best," McAdoo said.

That hasn't been the case the last two weeks for the Giants, who lost to Washington on Sept. 25, and Minnesota on Monday night.

Now comes a quick turnaround for another tough road trip to face the rested Packers, who are coming off a Week 4 bye.

McAdoo's history with Green Bay offers a unique perspective on the matchup.

McAdoo was an assistant GIANTS AT PACKERS 8:30 p.m. Chs. 10, 30

coach for eight seasons under Packers coach Mike McCarthy, spending six years overseeing the tight ends and his final two years at Lambeau mentoring quarterback Aaron Rodgers. McAdoo moved on to the Giants in 2014 to become offensive coordinator before getting his first shot as a head coach this season.

McAdoo is still familiar with some of the Packers' personnel, and what McCarthy likes to do. Likewise, some of the Giants' offensive looks bear similarities to how the Packers operate.

"But you have to be good on yourself and scout on both ends and realize it's been a few years since Ben was here," Rodgers said. "We've changed some things around."

What hasn't changed is the appreciation that McCarthy and Rodgers had for McAdoo's time in Green Bay. Expect McAdoo to receive some good-natured ribbing, too, on Sunday.

"He's also famous for his layering — you know the short sleeves under long sleeves under short sleeves, always appreciate that about him," Rodgers quipped. "He's quick with a quip right back at you and they can be cutting."