The beauty of sports goes beyond the bedrock finality of the final score. In fact, the end of a game is just the beginning of a debate.
In football, we question a called run versus a potential pass, whether defense or offense wins titles, or how much of a successful team hangs on talent versus chemistry. A league like the NFL has exploded from a regional Sunday sport to a 24/7 national behemoth because of all the moving parts and paradigms. Just with the Giants alone, we moaned, whined, and debated the logic behind drafting QB Daniel Jones.
Likewise, there were merits to keeping star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. on the roster. He's an otherworldly talent, a bona fide celebrity, strong enough to handle the fishbowl of Big Apple media, and handsome enough to become a crossover star, equal parts baller and bougie. Conversely, there were serious reasons to trade him. He was too proud, too sensitive, too narcissistic to stay on the field, felled by injuries or self-imposed dehydration, dashing from the field to hit the halftime locker room well before the clock says so to get his nth injection of fluids while his offense still toiled on the turf.
But some questions have no merit, spawned by bored or wholly misguided media.
One of them is whether the Giants were wrong to recycle No. 13 - Beckham's number with Big Blue - and give it to an undrafted rookie named Reggie White Jr. While White's father played in the NFL, his pops is not that Reggie White, arguably the best defensive end in NFL history. The younger White, from Monmouth University in New Jersey, has expressed the proper mixture of hunger and humility. Entirely aware of the famous digits he just received, he's quick to say No. 13 was handed to him, not requested by him, that he would take 00 if asked, and he's just happy to be with the G-Men.
Besides, there was nothing unseemly or sacrilege about the whole thing. For all his athletic splendor, Beckham was not here long enough and did not do enough for the Giants to treat his number with any reverence. If he stays healthy and hearty, Beckham still has a chance to become an all-time great at his position. He's just not there now. He did not spark a Super Bowl run or even reach the NFC championship. In fact, he bombed during his lone playoff game, infamously prepping for the frigid climes of Lambeau Field by lounging on a yacht in Florida.
In a sense, Beckham was the perfect player, man, and Millennial. Absurdly gifted yet emotionally erratic, his rabbit ears catch every frequency or foul word spoken about him. He spent 40-something tweets on Dave Gettleman over the GM's assertion that the team will have more harmony this year. Beckham went berserk even though his old boss didn't mention his name. At some point, Beckham has to pull the cord on his past and realize his time in Gotham did not end as it began.
In his five years with the Giants, Beckham started just 56 of 80 possible games. His first three years were the opening strokes of a masterpiece. He averaged 96 catches, 1,374 yards, and nearly 12 touchdowns. But in his final two years, he averaged 7 starts, 51 receptions, 677 yards, and 4.5 touchdowns. Both seasons coming in his absolute prime.
Odell Beckham Jr turns 27 on November 5, so he still has time to turn his once-historic career around. By his birthday we'll also know whether his new team, the Cleveland Browns, are true contenders or just another superteam that flatlined by Halloween. Beckham was used to not only being the biggest star on his team, but also its most eccentric person and stand-alone diva. He has competition for some of those titles now, sharing a locker room with Sheldon Richardson, Kareem Hunt, and Baker Mayfield. Some see Beckham and his old LSU chum, Jarvis Landry, turning the NFL into their personal YouTube symphony. Some see a team stuffed with huge, clashing egos and a rookie coach who can't handle them. Some see 11-5; some see 5-11.
Meanwhile, the Giants got a good player (Jabrill Peppers) and two draft picks for their former, famous wideout. They also got No. 13 back, and are hoping Reggie White Jr. plays like a madman on the field without becoming a madman on the sideline.
Twitter: @JasonKeidel
