Odell Beckham Jr. isn’t helping the Saints prepare for the Tennessee Titans this week, but it’s clear he’d be a welcome addition if he chose a return home to his native New Orleans.
The star wide receiver cleared waivers this week after being unceremoniously released by the Cleveland Browns. The Saints are on the short list of teams he’s reportedly considering in free agency.
Here’s what the Saints players had to say on the subject Tuesday as OBJ mulls his options, which reportedly include the Packers, Seahawks and Patriots as potential suitors.
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SHY TUTTLE, DT
“That’s the offense. I play defense. It’d be cool if he came. … That’s for the people upstairs. We’ve got the Tennessee Titans next up, that’s what we’re worried about.”
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MARQUEZ CALLAWAY, WR
“Everybody know who he is. He’s not a little name, anywhere. We get it more from the fans than anybody else, try to do our part and get Odell. But Odell’s smart. He’s gonna go where he feels like he’s most wanted. He’s from Louisiana, so, you know, everybody wants him to come play for his home team. And we’ll take him. We ain’t never going to deny anybody, but, this week, if he comes, then great. If he doesn’t come, then that’s great as well. We’re going to work on getting prepared for Tennessee.
Odell is a great player, even for his size. He’s great whether it’s speed, getting open, catching the ball. Obviously everybody sees the plays. It’s just a great person — I’ve never been around him, but, you know, his football character and his character, personally, everybody has their different views. I’m not going to go off on them, because I don’t know him. Until that day comes where I meet him, I can’t really judge him on that.”
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DEMARIO DAVIS, LB
“I never played with him as a teammate, I should say. But, you know, he’s been one of the most dynamic receivers in the league. And I don’t know any player on any team that doesn’t want to play with other great players. But I trust our organization, they do what they feel is best for our team, and I know they’re going to do that. They always put us in position to win, so I trust them above anything. But I guess, in short, I love to play with other great players, and he is certainly a great player.
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"Well I think that’s what our culture is, actually, a winning culture. Our culture is based on winning from the top to the bottom. That’s the most important thing in the building is winning. And it’s how we get those wins that’s most important. It’s our process. The way we approach the week. Our details in that process. And I think it’s focusing on what’s in front of you. We have the Titans this week. And so we’re locked in on those details and you just don’t have the luxury to get caught up in anything else. Anybody who likes to win, hopefully that’s attractive to them. But we don’t have time to — especially in these times — to get caught up on all that. We have to be locked in on our process and our details, and that’s why we win."
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JAMES HURST, OL
“I feel like everyone’s talking about that, right. You know, I haven’t had that personally, yet [fans asking him about OBJ]. So we’ll see if that picks up any steam here, soon.”
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“Yea, I mean he’s a great player. Any team he goes to, you have a player like that, it’s going to attract a lot of attention. He’s obviously made incredible catches in his career. So, I don’t think too deeply about those things, I just leave it to the people upstairs. I know that they’ll handle it and put our team in the best situation to win games.”