Beckham revisits stunning grab before Giants-Cowboys rematch
IRVING, Texas (AP) Odell Beckham Jr. says he has seen replays of his astonishing one-handed catch over Dallas cornerback Brandon Carr ''maybe once or twice,'' and the New York Giants receiver is sticking with that number despite obvious skepticism.
As for how many times last year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has been asked about the touchdown grab last season that dominated highlight reels for days, well, Beckham isn't trying to underestimate that figure. If he had a dollar for every time ...
''I'd be rich. I'd be rich,'' Beckham said Thursday. ''I'd be rich, for sure. I've been asked about it a few times, for sure.''
In Sunday night's season opener, Beckham and Carr will line up against each other for the first time since that catch, but not on the same field. The Cowboys are at home this time.
Oh, and by the way. The Cowboys won that game 31-28 in November to complete a second straight sweep of their NFC East rival on their way to Dallas' first division title since 2009.
That's a little harder for some to remember after Beckham's leaping grab as he crossed the goal line on Eli Manning's deep throw, the ball briefly nestled in the fingers on his right hand. His outstretched arm reached behind his helmet as Carr stumbled out of bounds, and Beckham landed on his back inbounds, inches from the sideline.
''That's your focus,'' Carr said to the first question he got about the catch this week. ''I'm trying to win a football game, like we did last year.''
Carr bristled at some of the questions, but still made himself available in the locker room for consecutive days. Of course, the catch came up both days.
The eighth-year player tried to smile through most of the questions, and surely knew they were coming. After all, a young fan mocked him at a promotional appearance not long after the catch last year by asking to pose with him for a picture, then mimicking the outstretched arm of Beckham.
''I just keep it moving,'' said Carr, who went without an interception for the first time in his career. ''New year, new season. Ready to get it on. Looking forward to an exciting season with some very explosive, athletic guys on the front end and the back end.''
Dallas defensive end Jeremy Mincey was running toward the play and thought Carr had good coverage.
''Is he in or is he out? That's all I was thinking,'' Mincey said. ''Then they call touchdown and I was like, `Unbelievable.' It was a perfect throw. Definitely a perfect catch.''
Still, Carr thinks he could have done something about it.
''I learn from all my mistakes,'' the former undrafted free agent said. ''From that play, it was a great ball, great catch. And for the defender's sake, just keep running, track the ball better.''
Beckham did acknowledge that he saw a replay of the catch Thursday - but still didn't budge on his number of views.
''I don't really turn it on and watch it anymore,'' said Beckham, whose 1,305 yards receiving last year were the most through 12 games to start an NFL career after the Giants drafted him in the first round of LSU. ''And it is what it is. I can't really say much more about it.''
The video speaks for him.
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AP Sports Writer Tom Canavan in East Rutherford, New Jersey, contributed to this report.
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