EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The offensive coordinator of the New York Giants says opposing defensive backs who bait wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with late hits, taunts and extracurricular acts to get him out of his game lack courage and are not confident in their ability.A slightly miffed Mike Sullivan said some defensive players are afraid to face Beckham one-on-one.Sullivan attacked those players Thursday after Beckham was once again the focus of weeklong attention after a game Monday night in Minnesota.Beckham was hit late out of bounds in the second quarter by Xavier Rhodes and he immediately complained to the official. Beckham then said something to Rhodes and drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Rhodes was not flagged.After the game, Beckham, who was limited to three catches for a career-low 23 yards, complained that he has been targeted by the leagues officials, drawing flags and fines for almost anything he does.Sullivan has seen the activity on the field.The only reason a guy tries to get him off his game is because theyre not confident enough in their abilities, the West Point graduate said.Theyre afraid to match up against him one-on-one, Mano-a-Mano. If thats going to be the approach, you can put that when youre ranking and say, `Obviously the guys not courageous enough or brave enough or not man enough to go ahead and play it straight up. If they need those types of tricks, OK. Were going to rise above that.Beckham, who had a run-in with Josh Norman last season in a game against Carolina and was suspended for a game by the league, also was a focal point after a loss to Washington two weeks ago. He had a couple of meltdowns on the sideline as the Giants were knocked from the unbeaten ranks.Beckham did not draw a penalty that game, but he and Norman were warned by the referee before the game.Sullivan called Beckham a tremendous competitor, adding: There is a fire, an energy that he brings.The coordinator said the only reason a defender would try to get into Beckhams head is because he doesnt want to see him at his best.After practice on Thursday, Beckham said he wants to act better on the field and be an inspiration for children, rather than setting a bad example.I think I just have to control what I can control, the 23-year-old receiver said. I can control myself. I cant control anything else but what I do. I definitely know I can do a better job at that.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Custom Early Wynn Jersey . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Paul Konerko Jersey Large . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. http://www.customwhitesoxjersey.com/custom-bo-jackson-jersey-large-201p.html . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Custom Bo Jackson Jersey . Catch all the action on TSN2 at 11pm et/8pm pt. The nine-time Big 12 champion Jayhawks are positioning themselves for another title, as they have run out to a flawless 6-0 mark in conference play thus far. Custom Joe Crede Jersey . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. INDIANAPOLIS -- Larry Bird always thought the Indiana Pacers needed to score more often.Now, he may have a point guard who can finally get it done.After acquiring Indianapolis native Jeff Teague in a three-team deal and making several other significant moves this summer, the Pacers will report to training camp next week with a new coach, an overhauled roster and a brand new opportunity to win an NBA championship.George Hill was great for us, but I think he was more of a half-court player who did a really good job, new coach Nate McMillan said Wednesday before the Pacers annual pre-camp golf outing at Brickyard Crossing. I think Teague will be able to do both (half-court and up-tempo) for us. We want him to look to establish that tempo in transition and we havent really had that guy in the four years Ive been here.For Teague, this is more just than a homecoming -- its a fresh start for a 28-year-old point guard oozing with talent.He needs it.A year ago, the expectation was that Teague would follow up his first All-Star season by taking the next logical step and emerging as one of the NBAs elite point guards. Instead, his minutes, scoring and assist totals all declined as Atlanta decided to go in a different direction.After the season, Teague used Twitter to explain he had played the entire season with a partially torn patellar tendon in his knee.While the injury required rest and an injection, it didnt require surgery. Bird wasnt scared off, and now it looks like the gamble could pay dividends.In the workouts, he looked fine, Bird said. Its not two-a-days yet, so you really dont know yet, but its encouraging. From all indications, he looks pretty good.Not long ago, the Pacers and Teague seemed like an unlikely pairing.During the 2009 draft, Teague wanted the Pacers to select him at No. 13. Instead, Bird took former North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough, and Teague went to Atlanta at No. 19.In 2013, when Teague became a restricted free agent and the Pacers could have upgraded at point guard, Teague opted for a four-year, $32 million offer sheet with the Milwaukee Bucks. Atlanta matcched it.ddddddddddddIn February, rumors surfaced of a potential deal that would have sent Hill to Atlanta for Teague, but that never materialized either. Then in June, Bird finally pulled off the move by sending a first-round pick to Atlanta and Hill to the Jazz for the point guard Indiana had been looking to help them play small ball.Now Teague is just trying to fit in. He spent most of the summer working out in Indy, and started playing pickup ball with many of his new teammates in mid-August.The early impressions have given Teague renewed hope about the Pacers and their expanded expectations.A lot of people can play with the ball and create opportunities for others. In Atlanta, we had a lot of really good players but a lot of those guys were system players, Teague said. Here, weve got a lot of people who can create for others and that makes my job a lot easier.And more enjoyable.The only real question is how long Teague will stick around. Hell become an unrestricted free agent after this season, and while Teague said he would like to stay in Indianapolis long term and Bird has expressed his desire to get an extension done sooner rather than later, nothing has happened.But if all goes as well as planned, this could turn out to be a perfect match.Last year, they walked the ball up a lot and were still able to play that way. Were smaller now, and we can play a lot faster, Teague said. I think this could be something special.Game notes Bird also made it clear that he doesnt intend to let three-time All-Star and new Olympic gold medalist Paul George get away anytime soon. The 26-year-old George already has a max deal that runs through 2018-19. But whenever George is ready to sign an extension, Bird promised to make it happen. Bird said: We want Paul here and we know what its going to cost and what its going to take. If Paul wants to get a deal done, we will. Its a max deal. Theres no others, so theres no use talking about it. If he wants it, hes got it. ' ' '
