Beckham expresses frustration with Giants' offense, connection with Eli
There's no question the New York Giants' offensive struggles are getting frustrating for Odell Beckham Jr.
The 1-3 Giants rank 29th in points per game entering Week 5. ESPN's Josina Anderson asked Beckham if the problem lies with veteran quarterback Eli Manning.
"I don't know," he said. "Like I said, I feel like he's not going to get out the pocket. He's not - we know Eli's not running it. But is it a matter of time issue? Can he still throw it, yeah, but it's been pretty safe and it's been, you know ... cool catching shallow (passes) and trying to take it to the house. But I'm, you know, I want to go over the top of somebody."
Through four games, Beckham has been held to 331 receiving yards and no touchdowns. That's a far cry from his first three seasons in the league when he finished with 1,300-plus yards and 10 touchdowns each year.
Manning is just 3-of-12 on pass attempts traveling 20-plus yards this season. Beckham has established himself as a downfield threat, yet his longest reception of the year has gone for 30 yards. He's been targeted just twice on deep balls since Week 1, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.
"I feel like I'm being out-schemed, and then I also don't have a chance to, like, do something where I've got to take a slant and go 60," Beckham said. "And not to say that's not fun, but it's like I want some easy touchdowns too.
"I watch everybody across the league. All the top receivers get the ball the way that they, you know, should. And if they don't, they say something about it."
The Giants hired offensive-minded Pat Shurmur as their new head coach this offseason, and they added Mike Shula as offensive coordinator.
Beckham signed a five-year, $95-million extension with the Giants prior to the regular season, but he's still uncertain about his future in New York.
"It's a tough question. Obviously, I love seeing the sunshine all the time. I love, you know, I love being in L.A. I just like that atmosphere, but this is where I'm at."
Shurmur was reportedly "absolutely livid" about Beckham's statements in the interview, according to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, via ProFootballTalk. The receiver apologized to the team on Saturday night for sending the "wrong message."