Cleveland Browns: Rodney Harrison calls out Odell Beckham, Jr.

A former New England Patriots safety who is known for talking a lot says that Odell Beckham, Jr. of the Cleveland Browns shouldn’t talk if he wants to be great

Rodney Harrison was a great NFL safety and he won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots so he usually knows what he’s talking about. However, his recent criticism of Cleveland Browns receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. seems harsh and unfair.

Harrison was known throughout his career as a trash talker — which is fine. There have been several players who had that same reputation and they thrived the more junk they said to their opponents. That’s just how some players are and there’s nothing wrong with a player being true to who they are.

That is unless you’re OBJ apparently. The newest star on the Browns is also someone who likes to talk, but he’s not known as really a trash talker. Instead, he’s an emotional guy who says exactly what he’s feeling. That was the case when he said he wanted the Browns to be the next Patriots.

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His claim is simple and fair. He wants to be great. But what’s crazy is no how many people were bothered by his statement. Now, we can add Harrison to the mix as he was rather harsh in his criticism and even said Beckham should ‘shut up’.

"“I think the first thing they have to do is if they want to be like the Patriots, they have to shut up. You don’t need Odell Beckham talking, talking about he’s trying to be like the Patriots. Just shut up and play, okay?,” Harrison said via The Zach Gelp Show on 92.3 The Fan."

Again, this just feels unfair. Harrison is essentially telling OBJ not to be himself. This would be like someone telling Harrison he can’t talk trash after shutting down an opposing receiver. That wouldn’t be fair to him either as it’s part of who he is and part of what made him great on the field.

Of course, the Browns knew when they acquired Beckham that he was a lightning rod. He’s a sensational talent, but he doesn’t always say the exact things people want him to.

On most teams, that wouldn’t be a problem. But for some reason, him being on Cleveland and doing so is rubbing everyone the wrong way. Everyone except fans of the Browns, who have no problems with OBJ saying how he feels. In fact, we actually appreciate him wanting to be great.