THOUSAND OAKS, CA — After arriving in Los Angeles, newly acquired wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. arrived at the Rams Training Facility for his first practice and first press conference with L.A. media on Saturday afternoon.
“I took a lot of time in the decision-making, and it wasn’t to build anticipation or nothing,” Beckham said. “This is my life and I feel like I’ve been through a lot. I’m at a point in my life where I’m ready to play football, I’ve dedicated, I’ve sacrificed a lot to be here.”
He also expressed that his faith also led him to the decision to join the Rams for the remainder of the season, after he cleared waivers from the Cleveland Browns this week.
“Sometimes things don’t work out in life and when you take those leaps of faith it’s always scary at the moment. You kind of just trust in God’s plan, keep putting a step in front of the other one, and just keep walking forward in faith, and things usually tend to work out. So, it’s been pretty crazy.“
The adjustment period will take some time, but moving to a new team is nothing new for Beckham, however coming to a team with open arms and a winning culture makes a great difference. A five time 1,000 yard season receiver and three time Pro Bowler, Beckham has created memories on the football field that will last a lifetime. Throughout all of the triumphs, losses and recovering from an ACL injury in his career, once thing remained steadfast… his great work ethic. Him respecting and following the late great Kobe Bryant allowed to turn it up another notch on his road towards greatness.
“I’ve got Kobe [Bryant] tatted on my ribs. Forever a legend. Just his mentality, the way that he approached each and every day, watching Kobe Bryant’s Muse and all of the things – the words that he spoke out of his mouth, truly, truly a testament to what he showed us all,” Beckham explained to the media. “So, it’s just about finding ways to dig deep, like when you’ve been through ACL, or this surgery, or whatever it is you’re going through, to just find ways to dig deep and continue to work and get better and perfect your craft.”
Coming into a new team can be difficult between learning a new system, figuring out coaches, how players are in the locker room, and settling into to a new city. However for Beckham having relationships with Von Miller and Jalen Ramsey does ease the transition into the locker room. Ramsey made sure once he spoke with Beckham that he had all of the wide receivers and other players speak with him via phone just hours before the signing was finalized.
“I got some familiar faces here. Von [Miller] is a brother of mine, Jalen there’s a bunch of guys here that I’ve already known,” he said. ” (I’m) just trying to focus on the moment, the present and just find a way to be the best help to this team, best teammate, the best player I can possibly be.”
Despite criticism from some who have looked at some things in his past, Beckham is committed to the team and not self. The only things is concerned with self is making sure he gets the playbook grasped and remaining healthy in order to make a significant contribution to the team. Ironically the day he officially signed and arrived hours later wide receiver Robert Woods’ season ended in Friday’s practice due to an ACL injury. The timing couldn’t have been perfect for this signing in order to help keep this team’s Super Bowl goal alive. Woods was the heart and soul of this receiver group, and now the team must continue forward with Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson and now Beckham.
“This is a guy who called me on the phone on FaceTime, and we shared words and just how excited we were to work together, and for me to be able to learn from him,” Beckham said of Woods. “I have no words for it. It was like disheartening when I got the call. I don’t have many words for it. I know that he was the heart and soul of this team and just kind of trying to do whatever I can to help. Those are big shoes to fill but do whatever I can to help him. My heart goes out to him. I’ve been through the process and it’s just crazy. It just kind of reminds me like never take life for granted cause things, split second, things can change. My prayers go out to him and just staying strong mentally during that time.”
Despite Woods not being on the field, Beckham’s presence still makes this Rams team a high powered offense, and lets not forget the abilities of Tyler Higbee, runner backs Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson who can catch out of the backfield.
“It just feels right about the offense … but I hope to find a groove and help this team find ways to win.“
Beckham loves the warm weather of Southern California and being apart of a franchise committed to winning is a great recipe for success and tranquility.
It is still to be determined if Beckham will play on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers, yet that won’t detour him away from aggressively attacking the playbook in order to be brought up to speed.
“Right now, I’m trying to find ways to learn the playbook as fast as possible. If there’s something he needs me to do, I’m always willing to do whatever it is. So again, I guess we’ll see come Monday.”
Head coach Sean McVay is also optimistic and will continue to evaluate his status for Monday night.
“There’s a chance. We’re going to see,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “You can see he’s a really sharp guy. We haven’t practiced yet today, but (I) like the look in his eye and we’ll see how he’s feeling, and we’ll see what that looks like as far as how we are able to utilize him if he’s able to go on Monday.”
Beckham also took to pen a letter to the city of Cleveland, the Cleveland Browns and Jarvis Landry.
The Rams visit the rival 49ers on Monday night at Levi’s Stadium at 5:15PM on ESPN.
