Tom Coughlin is about as old-school as football coaches come, and he clearly wasn't happy about his star wide receiver's behavior Sunday. But he also isn't ready to write off Odell Beckham Jr. because of it.
"Odell is an emotional young man and wears his emotions on his sleeve," Coughlin said on a conference call Monday afternoon. "I will not defend his actions yesterday because they were wrong and this particular franchise and organization does not tolerate that."
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However, Coughlin added, "I will defend the young man and defend the person as long as I am able."
Beckham was flagged three times for unsportsmanlike conduct in a loss to the Panthers that at times seemed secondary to the receiver's duel with Carolina cornerback Josh Norman. That also didn't sit well with Coughlin.
"Too bad the discussion going on is about the personal battle and not about a team that's 14-0 or the game," he said, later adding: "I hope Odell learns exactly what should be learned. There's no place for these personal battles. It's team first."
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The Giants are awaiting word from the league on whether Beckham will be fined or suspended for his actions, most notably an extracurricular helmet-to-helmet hit on Norman.
Coughlin was asked if he thought the Panthers defender should face additional discipline, too, and had this response: "If it happens on one side, it should happen on the other."
