The OBJ Complex
Is there still hope for the most electrifying receiver in the NFL?
The day is coming when the talk shows are going to dive headfirst into the Odell Beckham Jr. = Terrell Owens comparisons. The case of a transcendent receiver whose ego is too big for his team.
A rift in Giants nation has been split right down the middle between Team OBJ and Team Trade Him Away. The answer is yet to be determined which makes this argument a mute point. To both sides, I offer these words:
Team OBJ: Yes we understand Odell is a great receiver, but great receivers aren’t crucial for championship teams. Can you name the Giants three starting linebackers? Even if you can, that means you’re keenly aware the Giants are desperate for depth in the middle of their defense. OBJ isn’t necessarily worth three starting linebackers. Calvin Johnson, Chad Johnson, and Larry Fitzgerald can’t hide all your defensive liabilities.
Team Trade Him Away: The Giants have OBJ on a friendly fifth-year option for 2018. This means OBJ is going to be on a contract year coming off a lengthy stay on the injured reserved list. If OBJ is truly valuable, his value will show in 2018. If he’s more talk than team, then the Giants should be willing to cut bait. Fingers crossed.
The OBJ complex is rather simple, with one X factor. How does Odell Beckham Jr. respond in 2018?
Despite being injured a majority of the 2017 season, I wouldn’t be surprised to see OBJ hold out until he gets a mega-deal before the 2018 season. OBJ’s injury could be huge leverage for the Giants to force OBJ’s patience.
OBJ’s case will be the Giants dismal offense in 2017. The Giants receiving corps was anticipated to be one of the best before Odell and Brandon Marshall went down for the season in week 5. Odell and Marshall were the big blue tarp on the Giants’ massive holes on offense which started with a downright awful offensive line.
OBJ’s real case for deserving a mega contract will have to come with a healthy 2018 season. If Beckham can prove that he can jumpstart a revamped offense with a new coach, and propels the Giants to a winning season, then the high value will.
Let’s get ahead of ourselves and go to the hypothetical tank for a moment.
-Hypothetical tank-
Best case scenario is the Giants are 10–6 next season and a healthy OBJ accumulates a stat line of 100 catches, 1,400 yards, and 11 TD’s. This also assumes that OBJ doesn’t have detrimental temper tantrums, mental breakdowns, or nightclub incidents. GM Gettleman is going to have Beckham’s agent down his throat about how he deserves to be the highest paid football player ever. The asking price is north of $25 million a year. If OBJ’s negotiation comes down to these sort of histrionics, the answer is easy.
No.
Even at $20 million a year, the asking price is too high. The goal is to build a championship team, not the NFL version of the Globetrotters.
-Return to reality-
The impasse for OBJ supporters is the belief that the Giants offense isn’t going to be devastating without him.
In the Giants two super bowl seasons, their best receivers were Plaxico Burress and Victor Cruz. Arguably top-15 receivers in the league, Cruz with a possible case for top-10, but never in the conversation for top-5. The ’07 and ’11 Giants were balanced teams with a great coach.
The OBJ complex is about not letting the situation become complex. The 2018 New York Giants have too many other positions on the roster to worry about before paying Odell. And it’s not that I don’t want to see Odell out of New Jersey, but it’s pointless to have a Lamborghini without a steering wheel.
The Giants offensive line two highest paid players make 4 million dollars. Ereck Flowers and John Jerry. Cry me a river. This is pitiful. The offensive line is currently nonexistent and will be completely reformed in 2018.
The running back depth is going to be an overblown issue because Gallman and Darkwa are talented backs. Put five objects in front of them that aren’t traffic cones and the tailback position will be fine.
The defensive side of the ball is crying for a linebacker that specializes in pass rushing or coverage. Both would be preferable.
