It's Come to This: Odell Beckham, Jr. Does Not Like Water

Last Thursday night, right before the end of the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. was seen walking into the locker room while his team finished the half. The Giants were being soundly beaten 24-6 at the time (and were soundly beaten when all was said and done) and Beckham had only amassed 12 yards and two receptions.

With the coverage of OBJ of late falling under the "Diva WR" category because he is very demonstrative on the sideline (not unlike some other guy who doesn't have the same rep), and an interview in which he told the truth about the Giants the week prior, a narrative began to take shape: Beckham was throwing a fit, and walking out.

After the game, head coach Pat Shurmur said he went in early due to dehydration and was going to get IV fluids. After that, the narrative switched. Now it's: being dehydrated is inexcusable for a professional athlete.

Now, the Giants are a hot mess, but I can honestly say I did not think we'd be talking about the virtue of hydration by Week 7. Nevertheless, Beckham spoke to the media today and was asked about the whole thing. His answer: he doesn't like water.

He expands on that a little bit, basically saying drinking water makes him feel bloated, which is fair, but this whole storyline is more than a little bizarre. But the most important part to remember—other than remaining properly hydrated, natch—is that this only matters because the Giants are circus. They are 1-5, sending an aging quarterback who desperately needs, like, a seven-foot wide receiver to improve his accuracy behind a woeful offensive line, and are led by a front office who saw these problems and drafted a (marvelous, sure) running back with the second pick of a draft stacked with quarterback talent.

The Giants don't have problems because Odell Beckham, Jr. has said critical things about the team. Or because he was or was not properly hydrated and walked off the field a few moments before his teammates. Or because he is fiery on the sideline. OBJ does those things because the Giants have problems.