Revival engaged - Odell Beckham Jr. giving Los Angeles Rams boost in production, good vibes

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams receiver Odell Beckham Jr. caught a backward pass, shuffled, then planted his feet during a wild-card playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals, readying for something rare even for his famous skill set.

He launched a 40-yard pass to running back Cam Akers, who slowed to haul it in, as Beckham took a hit, jumped to his feet and threw his arms up in celebration.

«He could have led me a little bit,» a grinning Akers said. «Nah, I'm playing.»

«He made the throw right-handed,» quarterback Matthew Stafford pointed out. «He could probably do it left, too. He's a freak.»

«That play was dope!» cornerback Jalen Ramsey chimed in. «It was a play that brought a lot of energy in the whole stadium.»

In L.A., where he signed a one-year, $1.25 million free agent deal in November, following his release from the Cleveland Browns, Beckham has rediscovered a joy in football that faded after five seasons with the New York Giants and 2½ in Cleveland, stops where he consistently attracted controversies: from sideline tirades, proposing to — and fighting — a kicking net, an on-field brawl with then-Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman to a Miami boat trip ahead of a wild-card playoff game.

Beckham's uniform violations have ranged from a colorful watch — he literally wore an orange watch during a game — to Joker cleats that the NFL told him to change at halftime or not be allowed to return to the field. He handed out wads of cash to players after LSU won the 2019 national championship and was banned from his former university for two years as punishment. Most recently, he was released from the Browns after his dad released a video on social media criticizing quarterback Baker Mayfield not throwing