Bump N’ Run w/ KT: Beckham Loses Cool, Giants Defense Collapses And Jets Win Again

This past weekend of football featured great games and major news to discuss. The big story concerned Odell Beckham Jr. but before I get to him, let’s look at the New York Giant team as a whole.

The Giants Defense Once Again Fails In Loss To Panthers

After being down 35-7 to Carolina during Sunday’s game, I honestly turned the Giants off. I didn’t want to be part of the G-Men and their inability to hang with the undefeated yet flawed Panthers. About 20 minutes after I turned the game off, the text messages began from friends telling me that the Giants are coming back. The sheer fact that the Giants were able to score 28 unanswered points when the Panthers took their foot off the pedal showed me that the Giants offense, when Eli Manning has time, is one of the most prolific in the league….then the Giant defense stepped on the field. End result: Panthers 38, Giants 35.

I have said it once and I will say it again, the Giants defense in particular their secondary may be the worst I have ever seen. They are weak at safety and with all the blitzing they did on Sunday, Cam Newton just carved the defense up with his arm and legs. The Giants will most likely not make the playoffs this year but for the 2016 NFL season, Jerry Reese or a new GM must address their needs at linebacker and safety. It has been way too long since those needs were addressed.

Beckham Loses His Cool

Since coming into the league, Odell Beckham Jr. has shown that he is one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL. As of late however, it has become common place that opposing defenses has been able to get into his head very easily and throw his game off. Yes Beckham did catch the game-tying touchdown on Sunday but his day was marred by three personal foul calls and repeated incidents with Carolina CB Josh Norman.

Beckham was suspended for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, a game that could end the Giants’ hope for the NFC East. Should Beckham have been suspended? Yes but this incident should not show OBJ in a negative light completely. He has been a total team player and a great teammate according to the franchise and his talent is evident. We should not use this as a moment to demonize him as many in the media has decided to do since Sunday. He made a mistake and we all make mistakes. Has Odell Beckham Jr. hit a woman? Has Odell Beckham Jr. failed multiple drug tests? Has Odell Beckham Jr. killed someone? Some perspective would be nice in this instance.

Around The League

• The Jets continued their march to the playoffs with a hard fought 19-16 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. At 9-5, the Jets could win out and still not make the playoffs if the Chiefs and Steelers also win out. This weekend’s game against rival New England Patriots could mean the season for Gang Green.
• I have tried, I really have. There were a couple of bowl games on this weekend and I watched a few minutes of each but it’s hard for me to care about the Miami Beach Bowl or the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl. There are just too many pointless bowl games but I’m a football fan so I will watch a few minutes of each. Next up…the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. Just terrible.
• What had happened to Calvin Johnson? Yes I am talking like a fantasy football freak but one catch for 19 yards on Monday night against the awful New Orleans Saints defense? This was the second week in a row where Johnson had only one catch. Maybe it’s premature but I think we are seeing the tail end of a great career.

And before I forget Happy Holidays to all who read the Bump N’ Run column. It’s been great writing about the sport I enjoy and we have one more article to go before the end of 2015…SEE YOU NEXT WEEK!