Rodney Harrison critiques Beckham Jr.’s Patriots comments

Odell Beckham Jr.’s comments about trying to transform the Browns into “the new Patriots” weren’t too well-received by New England great Rodney Harrison.

The Cleveland Browns’ biggest new star, mercurial wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., made national headlines when he opened up on the potential for his new franchise in a recent GQ article.

Taking the idea of “the sky’s the limit” to even greater heights, he compared Cleveland second-year quarterback Baker Mayfield to Hall of Famer Brett Favre, before then telling readers that he “plan(s) on being there for the next five years and trying to bring as many championships there as possible – turning [the Browns] into the new Patriots.”

As could be expected, the public outcry was swift and derisive. Unless you were a long-suffering Browns fan who appreciated the rosy optimism – or just a personal fan of OBJ as a player and all that he brings to the receiver position – chances are your reaction fell somewhere on the spectrum between a scoff, a snort, or an eyebrow raise. It was only natural to draw a connection between Beckham’s comments and the infamous remarks made by LeBron James when he went to Miami (“not one… not two…”).

Ever-aware of his public persona and media presence, the superstar wideout attempted to clarify his comments via an Instagram story message he posted to his official account… a few days after the article went viral for all the wrong reasons.

"“Never meant the Browns are the new Patriots or going to be the new Patriots. I just have great respect for what they’ve done but definitely recognize the work that has to be done to get there. There’s nothing wrong with having aspirations…It’s really stating the obvious when you say you want your organization to be successful like the Patriots. I know my teammates want to be a part of building something like that, Freddie Kitchens and John Dorsey are doing everything they can to get us there.”"

Unfortunately for Beckham, the court of public opinion had already by this point essentially pronounced him guilty – of grandiose projections and drinking a little too much of the company Kool-Aid.

One former Patriot and current television analyst, Rodney Harrison, took particular exception to Beckham’s methods and messages. Appearing on a local radio station, the legendary safety lit into OBJ for taking the wrong approach to emulating New England.

“I think the first thing they have to do is if they want to be like the Patriots, they have to shut up,” Harrison opined. “You don’t need Odell Beckham talking, talking about he’s trying to be like the Patriots. Just shut up and play, okay? People think that individual talent [wins], no. This is the ultimate team sport. You need guys to learn and to trust one another and to be able to have that camaraderie. When you don’t have it it’s very difficult to win.”

Harrison concluded his brief diatribe with a record prediction too.

“I do believe that the Cleveland Browns will be that team that’s 8-8 and 9-7. I don’t see them as a 10-6 team. I think this division has gotten a lot better as well.”

Ouch.