Odell Beckham Jr. is currently part of the Dolphins’ most explosive receiving corps in the league.
However, before officially announcing his affiliation with Miami, the 31-year-old wide receiver had concerns about catching passes from left-handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but those concerns were based on film study and experience. It disappeared immediately.
“I was definitely a little hesitant at first because he’s left-handed and I think I avoided left-handed people,” Beckham said at a press conference Wednesday. According to the Dolphins official website. “But now that I think about it, I was just pitching all the time.” [wide receiver and former LSU teammate] Jarvis Landry since he was 15 years old. One of my trainers is left-handed. They said he just throws different things. They said they don’t think he’s left-handed when it comes to accuracy and spin.
“Just looking at his film, there’s so many great things he’s accomplished. He did it at Alabama, he did it here with the Dolphins. Like I said, if you really watch this film, he’s done it. , I found an opportunity when I sat back and watched without looking at the destination. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a lot of opportunities here for myself and my career. I just witnessed it.”
Beckham agreed to a one-year contract with the Dolphins earlier this month after spending last season in Baltimore.
Tagovailoa, in his fifth season with the Dolphins, threw for 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season, while wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had 13 and four touchdowns, respectively.
Beckham praised his new receiver teammates and how their talents complement each other.
“I think we all have different skill sets, but everyone who makes plays has the same skill set. I’m just looking forward to the opportunity,” he said.
The former first-round pick, who also played for the Giants, Browns, Rams and Ravens during his career, added on Wednesday how head coach Mike McDaniel “sold” him the opportunity.
“He sold it to me because it’s just his energy. We speak the same language when we talk and we talk about football the same way. Like I said earlier. , the opportunity was just here. God put it in front of me and I went out there and rolled with it,” Beckham said.
Beckham, a Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion, finished the 2023 season with 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns.
The Dolphins and Ravens both reached the postseason last year, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Chiefs in the Wild Card round and AFC title game, respectively.
The Dolphins open the 2024 season against the Jaguars on Sunday, September 8th at 1 p.m.
