Odell Beckham Jr. Fined $36,000 for Block on Kenny Vacarro: Details, Reaction
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $36,000 for a blindside block on New Orleans Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro last week.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported the news, noting Beckham could face a suspension if he makes another similar hit.
Beckham made unnecessary contact with Vaccaro on the crack-back hit, but he did not draw a personal foul penalty on the field. Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, citing the play in question, said Beckham appeared upset with Vaccaro's use of hands to the face.
The timing here is key, given the Giants are scheduled to face off with Washington—and, by proxy, cornerback Josh Norman—on Sunday. Norman and Beckham have a standing rivalry, which included an ugly head-to-head battle last December.
The two players were chippy with each other from the outset, and the ordeal bordered on dirty at certain points. The NFL hit Beckham with a one-game suspension for his actions, while Norman earned a fine.
“I think mentally [Beckham’s] in a different place. I think from a mental standpoint, he's in a completely different place than he was a year ago,” Giants receiver Victor Cruz said of this week's matchup, per Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com. “I think he understands what's being asked of him and how to conduct himself on the field and understand that it's just business."
The NFL also previously fined Beckham for his actions in a 2015 game against the Buffalo Bills. The talented receiver remains among the NFL's best, but it's clear his feistiness is catching the eye of the league office—even when the officials are missing it.
Sitting at 2-0 and in a tie for first place in the NFC East, the Giants can ill afford to be without their best offensive weapon. But as anticipation builds for his first of two matchups against Norman this season, all eyes will be on Beckham and whether he keeps his composure.
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