Wednesday 17 October 2018 13:05, UK
New York Giants owner John Mara hit out at star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Tuesday as he reflected on his team's "embarrassing" start to the NFL season.
Beckham, who signed a record five-year $95m contract extension with the Giants in August, has cut a frustrated figure this season as the NFC East outfit have won just one out of six games.
On Thursday, Beckham was seen heading for the locker room while the Giants offense were still on the field shortly before half-time during their defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Earlier this month Beckham also voiced a thinly veiled critique of quarterback Eli Manning during an interview with ESPN.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NFL's owners meetings in New York on Tuesday, Mara made it clear he was unimpressed by Beckham's antics.
"I wish he would create the headlines by his play on the field as opposed to what he says and what he does off the field," Mara said. "I think he needs to do a little more playing and a little less talking."
"I think he needs to do a little more playing and a little less talking."
When asked about Manning's form, Mara meanwhile said the Giants bore a shared responsibility for their dismal start to the season.
"I think when you're 1-5, it generally means that everybody needs to play better, so he's not alone," Mara said. "I still ... we still believe in him, but everybody needs to do their jobs in order for us to be successful, and right now that's not happening. I know he's the punching bag right now, but a lot of guys need to play better when you're 1-5."
Mara meanwhile said he was "embarrassed" by the team's second consecutive 1-5 start to the season. Last year the team finished 3-13.
"I'm still embarrassed being 1-5," Mara said. "I can't stand up here and make any excuses about that.
"You are what your record says you are, as a wise man once said, and there's nothing I can say to make people feel better about that. I'm suffering just as much as our fans are, probably more."
However, he backed head coach Pat Shurmur and new general manager Dave Gettleman to arrest the slide.
"I have confidence that we have the right guys in the building to get it to work," he said.
Meanwhile, the Giants have signed former Denver Broncos receiver Bennie Fowler and placed linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong (concussion) and wide receiver Cody Latimer (hamstring) on injured reserve.
The moves were among a number made by the Giants (1-5) on Tuesday as they returned to practice after a long weekend following a Thursday night game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
New York, who will face Atlanta (2-4) on Monday night, also signed linebacker Ukeme Eligwe and cornerback Grant Haley from its practice squad. Cornerback Donte Deayon was waived.
