Mara Wrong to Criticize Odell: Giants’ Real Problem is Eli

Mara’s Criticism of Beckham Misses the Mark, Eli Manning is the True Issue

The New York Giants find themselves in a familiar predicament, grappling with on-field struggles and off-field drama. In the wake of owner John Mara’s public criticism of star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., ESPN’s Max Kellerman argues forcefully that Mara is barking up the wrong tree. According to Kellerman, the true culprit behind the Giants’ woes isn’t Beckham’s public persona or his on-field performance, but rather the declining play of veteran quarterback Eli Manning.

Beckham Needs a Quarterback, Barkley Doesn’t

Kellerman draws a stark contrast between Beckham and the Giants’ other offensive star, Saquon Barkley. “The reason Saquon Barkley looks so incredible right now is he doesn’t need the quarterback to throw him the ball. Saquon can do it all by himself even behind a bad line,” Kellerman explains. He points out that while Beckham would ideally be putting up better numbers and staying quiet, his situation is intrinsically linked to the quarterback’s ability to deliver the ball. “Odell does need someone to get him the ball,” Kellerman states, implying that Beckham’s production is hampered by factors beyond his control.

Eli Manning: Past His Prime

The criticism of Eli Manning is central to Kellerman’s argument. Despite years of defending the veteran quarterback, Kellerman admits, “You cannot defend Eli’s play. He’s cooked.” This sentiment is echoed by the implication that opposing defenses can “defend him just fine.” Kellerman posits that Odell Beckham Jr. is a “great player in his prime” and unequivocally states, “He is not the problem with the Giants.”

The Parent-Child Analogy and Mara’s Misstep

Kellerman employs an analogy involving parental responsibility to dissect John Mara’s position. He poses the question to his co-host, asking if they agree that a parent has the right to be wrong as long as they are acting in the best interest of the collective whole. While the agreement is reached, Kellerman pivots, asserting that even if Mara’s intentions are rooted in the best interests of the Giants’ culture, his actions are still misguided. “Even if Mara here is coming from the right place he’s still wrong now and he’s responsible,” Kellerman declares.

Contractual Obligations and Broken Trust

The conversation delves into the specifics of Beckham’s record-breaking contract. Kellerman highlights that Mara guaranteed Beckham the highest-paid receiver contract in NFL history, despite Beckham’s resume featuring only one Pro Bowl appearance and no championships. “I give you the money, but before I give you the money I hover with you, I talked to you about the Giants culture, I talked to you about the way we do things,” Kellerman recounts Mara’s supposed conversation with Beckham. This implies a quid pro quo: Beckham receives financial security and public backing, and in return, he is expected to uphold the team’s standards.

However, Kellerman argues that Mara’s subsequent public criticism betrays this understanding. “What happened to covering us?” he questions. The implication is that the Giants organization, and Mara specifically, promised to protect Beckham, especially given his past behavioral issues. By publicly criticizing him, Mara is seen as breaking that unspoken agreement. “John Mara is challenging his willingness to articulate his thoughts publicly at the expense of everyone else,” Kellerman argues.

The Broken Culture Starts at the Top

Kellerman contends that the fundamental issue plaguing the Giants is a broken culture directly attributable to the team’s quarterback situation. “The reason the culture on the Giants is broken is because the quarterback who needs to be a leader is such a bad player right now that you know everybody knows it. It’s impossible to lead from that position,” he states. This leadership vacuum, created by Manning’s inability to perform at a high level, trickles down and impacts the entire team, including Beckham’s frustrations.

Beckham’s Frustration is Justified

While acknowledging that ideally Beckham would be more like Saquon Barkley in his self-sufficiency, Kellerman insists that Beckham’s current level of frustration is understandable, given the team’s persistent quarterback issues. “Odell would have the right to sit there and go, ‘This has been a problem for a while, you haven’t fixed it yet,'” Kellerman suggests. He also points out that the Giants not only paid Beckham but also had prior discussions with him, creating an expectation of mutual support that Mara appears to have violated.

Looking Ahead

Kellerman’s analysis suggests that the Giants’ path forward requires a hard look at their quarterback situation and a more consistent approach to team leadership. Criticizing Beckham, a player in his prime who is performing despite subpar quarterback play, is seen as a deflection from the real issues. The organization needs to address the decline of Eli Manning and foster an environment where players feel supported, rather than publicly admonished, especially after significant financial commitments have been made.

Source: Giants owner John Mara wrong to criticize Odell Beckham Jr Max Kellerman First Take (YouTube)