NFL Suspends Beckham For One Game

It’s not about the individual, it’s about the team.

If you’re not into sports, I’ll try to summarize briefly. In other words, the gesture was not directed at Beckham. It’s rare when a single play highlights the lack of progress on both fronts, but it’s not entirely a coincidence, either.

“I could rub a lot of people the wrong way if they don’t know me”, he said.

“I don’t understand that”, Green said. “It’s a contact sport for a reason”.

Prior to Sunday, Beckham was known as a fun-loving superstar wide receiver who made impossible catches routinely. I think he’s still a young player and it’s a learning experience for him. “It’s the ongoing process of young players”.

If he’s not careful, he will suffer the same fate as the ultimate diva wideouts of this generation: Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson: Big numbers, very entertaining, no Super Bowl championship rings.

“That it is team first, team last, team always, and nothing stands above that”.

More dispiriting than Beckham’s outrageous behavior was the fact that, save for three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, the game’s officials ignored a player whose unhinged behavior was a threat to life and limb.

After describing Beckham as “a little kid” and a “ballerina” in his postgame comments, Norman continued to fan the flames of controversy on Monday morning.

After Sunday’s game, Beckham refused to discuss his run-ins with Norman, who was infuriated by the helmet-to-helmet hit. And while Panthers cornerback Josh Norman had a huge part in the skirmishes, and was the instigator even during pregame warm-ups with the baseball bat antics and verbal threats, the way the combustible wideout handled himself will warrant any punitive actions.

Quarterback Eli Manning defended Beckham as a person, though he didn’t agree with the extracurricular activities.

“Of course I support Odell”, he said. “He does not want to hurt his team”. It takes two to rumble, a football-savvy friend pointed out to me.

They’re also still in contention for a flawless season-assuming they’re able to put the focus back on football. But what happened in his 26th game might have offered the most telling glimpse into a weakness that could have a major impact on his future.

While Carolina is still undefeated, Sunday’s 38-35 victory over the New York Giants showed Rivera that there’s still work to be done.

One of the greatest players in the history of football has announced that he will retire at season’s end. He is tied with Homer Jones for most touchdown receptions in a season. He committed his offense in uniform, between the lines.

The Giants could have done more.

-RUN DEFENSE: D. The next time the Giants’ run defense handles a read-option quarterback will be the first.

– If the NFC East-leading Washington Redskins win at Philadelphia on Saturday night, the Giants will take the field in Minnesota for their Sunday night affair already knowing their postseason dreams have been dashed. Gordon, who was picked 15th in this year’s draft, finishes his rookie season with 641 rushing yards on 184 carries (3.5 per carry).

Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians described just how much his star safety means to him and the team.

Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Sunday that he gave “strong consideration” to benching Beckham at one point for his lack of composure on the field, but the coach spoke highly of his hugely talented player on Monday.