By WFAN.com
Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants were back in the news this week, and again it was not for the right reasons.
Less than two weeks after the receiver's controversial interview aired on ESPN, where he stated he didn't know if he was happy in New York, Giants owner John Mara critized his star player. Mara told reporters earlier this week that he wished Beckham would "do a little more playing and a little less talking," adding that he would like to see his star receiver make headlines on the field rather than off of it.
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While some might have expected an emotional response from the superstar, Beckham seemed to show signs of maturity Friday.
"I respect and value his opinion," the receiver said to the media Friday on Mara's comments. "That's what we're gonna do: focus on Atlanta right now. That's really it. I'm ready to talk about the Atlanta Falcons and that's really it. That's the focus right now. We need to start winning games. I feel that. I want to win, too, just as bad as anybody else. That's really it, I just wanna win."
Beckham has caught 45 passes (on 69 targets) for 506 yards and a touchdown through the first six games of the season, putting him on pace for 1,349 yards and a career-high 120 receptions.
Despite the strong numbers, the Giants have not been able to find much success on the offensive side of the ball this season. New York's 261 passing yards per game ranks among the middle of the pack in the NFL, but the team's seven passing touchdowns is tied for 25th in the league.
"I think we're 1-5 and we need to start winning games," Beckham said. "Everybody needs to pick it up. I need to play better. I can't say I've played my best games, I can't say I've done enough to help this team win. I need to do more. Everybody needs to do more. Everybody needs to pick it up. We win games together, we lose 'em together. No other way around it. It's a team sport."
One reason why Beckham's interview with ESPN has led to so much drama around the team was his apparent criticism of quarterback Eli Manning.
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When asked in the interview if Manning was the problem with New York's offense, Beckham responded, "I don't know."
The Giants would go on to fine their star receiver for his comments, and this time around, Beckham seemed to have learned his lesson.
"Every time we get in the huddle I say 'take me home 10,'" Beckham said when asked about his veteran quarterback. "Which to me, carries weight because he's been there, he knows how to win, he knows what he's doing, he's the most prepared of anybody I've seen."
The Giants will look to pick up its second win of the season against the 2-4 Falcons Monday night in Atlanta.