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THOUSAND OAKS — When Odell Beckham Jr. joined the Rams in November, he knew people were wondering: How would he get along on a team where he isn’t the most-watched pass catcher?
Now, with Cooper Kupp continuing to receive most of the passes and attention, the answer is in: Beckham is getting along, well, famously.
He’s not only OK with Kupp’s pursuit of NFL records, he’s counting down the digits with the glee of Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
“I’m sure it might be more fun for me than him,” Beckham said Friday before the Rams (11-4) wrapped up the week’s practice for Sunday’s road game against the Baltimore Ravens (8-7).
Since Beckham signed with the Rams after agreeing to be released by the Cleveland Browns, the three-time Pro Bowl player has been Matthew Stafford’s second-best receiver, his 20 catches for 248 yards and four touchdowns in six games helping to replace injured Robert Woods.
But Kupp has been the best in the league this season, earning his first Pro Bowl selection while setting modern NFL records with 11 consecutive games of 90-plus receiving yards; 800 yards and nine touchdowns in the first seven games; 900 yards and 10 touchdowns in the first eight, and 100 catches in the first 12.
If Kupp maintains his NFL leads in catches (132), receiving yards (1,734) and receiving TDs (14), he’ll be the first to win the receiving Triple Crown since Steve Smith did it with the Carolina Panthers in 2005.
There could be more: Kupp’s season ranks fifth-all time for catches; he needs 17 in the regular season’s final two games to match Michael Thomas’ record of 149 for the New Orleans Saints in 2019. And it ranks seventh in receiving yards; he needs 230 to equal Calvin Johnson’s 1,964 for the Detroit Lions in 2012, and 266 to reach 2,000.
Such records would be diminished in some minds if Kupp needed 17 games, not the 16 that the NFL played from 1978-2020. But apparently not in Beckham’s mind.
Beckham demonstrated that he knows Kupp needs 266 to hit 2,000.
“I’m campaigning for the 2K,” Beckham said. “I told (Kupp) that they’re going to get rid of – rest in peace to John Madden – I said they were going to get rid of Madden and then they’re going to bring back NFL 2K because of Coop. We’re witnessing greatness.”
The admiration is mutual.
“Odell’s done an incredible job coming in here and learning as much as he has in such a short amount of time,” Kupp said on Dec. 19. “Just hearing him talk about how he wants to attack things, the way he sees the field, sees leverages, sees coverages, how he wants to get open on routes and create separation, it’s fun to talk with him.”
Judging by Kupp’s preference for talking about the team instead of himself, he won’t be offended if Coach Sean McVay doesn’t build the offense around an individual’s pursuit of history.
“I’ll call the game in a manner that’s (the) best for our offense,” McVay said Friday, adding: “It just so happens that a lot of those things are in alignment with Cooper Kupp getting the ball.”
McVay said he isn’t surprised that Beckham is cheering on a teammate.
“I can attest to this now, he’s a great teammate,” McVay said.
Beckham, a New York Giants first-round draft pick now on his third team at age 29, knows his reputation as a “me guy,” as he phrased it.
“When I chose to come here, I’m knowing that Coop’s on pace to break a record. I didn’t come here thinking, ‘Oh, I got to get my (pass) targets,’” said Beckham, who shared the record of nine consecutive games with 90-plus receiving yards before Kupp broke it.
“Yeah, I want the ball. I’m a competitor, but like I say, I came late to the party. I’m here witnessing history and greatness between this whole team, but specifically Stafford and Coop, and it’s just phenomenal to watch.”
Beckham indeed is a competitor.
“I told him I want him to get 2K yards so I can come and break your record,” he said.
This might be a record chase that shapes two wide receivers’ reputations: Kupp, making his. Beckham, remaking his.
NOTES
Cam Akers is listed as questionable for the Ravens game on the Rams’ Friday injury report, and McVay said it’s more likely the running back will wait another week to play his first game since an Achilles tendon tear in July. …
Also listed as questionable are linebacker Leonard Floyd (ankle), nose tackle Greg Gaines (hand) and safety Taylor Rapp (shoulder). Floyd’s name popped up on the injury report after McVay spoke with reporters in the morning. Gaines, who had surgery on a fractured hand, will play with the wrapping that doesn’t restrict hand movements too much, McVay said. …
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Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) is listed as questionable after sitting out practice Thursday and Friday. “I think he has a chance to play on Sunday,” Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said. If not, Tyler Huntley would start. …
McVay didn’t rule out a return by the playoffs for nose tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, who has been on injured reserve for eight weeks with a pectoral tear, but said no timetable has been discussed.