Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis had some strong words to describe the impact Odell Beckham Jr. has on his team when tantrums become a central issue.
On more than one occasion this year, Beckham Jr. blew up emotionally, hurting his team in the process. It’s been a while since that happened, as the receiver found a way out of his emotional doldrums after a perilous start to the season. But it’s also an issue that has plagued him in the past.
Speaking about that during an appearance on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning Sunday, Davis said when Beckham Jr. “allows his emotions to get the best of him, he’s a cancer” for the Giants.
“I think that we all can agree that Odell is a great player. Right? We all agree on that,” Davis said. “When you think about Odell and what he’s able to do on the football field is truly special. But it’s very important for him this weekend to make sure that he controls his emotions. Whenever he goes out and he plays and he controls his emotions, he’s huge for that team. But when he goes out and he allows his emotions to get the best of him, he’s a cancer for that football team and you can see it, it’s evident.”
Having seen it firsthand as a member of the Panthers, Davis hearkened back to his team’s epic 38-35 win over the Giants last season as a clear example to back up his point.
“When we played him, you could see him and Josh going back and forth, you could see that the whole team was getting caught up in that and they wasn’t focused in the first half, that’s why we were able to jump out to a big lead,” Davis said. “They kinda settled down later in the second half in the football game and they were able to come back. It was just really evident that they were not a focused bunch when he was doing all of that.”
Beckham Jr. is undoubtedly one of the emotional leaders for New York, for good or for bad. When he is composed and on his game, there are not many receivers who can impact a game like he can. When he’s upset and lets his emotions get the best of him, Beckham Jr. can disappear for long stretches at a time in terms of production. And when he’s not on, neither is the Giants offense.
Davis is speaking nothing but truth here. However, one wonders how the term “cancer” will resonate with Beckham Jr. and the Giants. We likely haven’t heard the end of this.