Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesLos Angeles Rams linebacker Von Millersaid teammate Odell Beckham Jr. delivered a simple message when theydiscussed teaming up during workouts last offseason.
"Don't come to Cleveland," Beckhamsaid, as Miller described in an interview with Greg Bishop of SportsIllustrated on Friday.
They ended up landing in L.A. a shorttime apart. Miller was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Rams onNov. 1, and Beckham signed there just 10 days later after being waivedby the Browns.
The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver'scareer was derailed during his two-plus year stay in Cleveland. Aftera dominant start to his NFL tenure with the New York Giants,including three straight years with at least 1,300 receiving yards and10 touchdowns, he posted more pedestrian numbers with the Browns, thanks in part to injuries.
Beckham had also become basically frozen outof the Cleveland offense this year, tallying just 17 catchesthrough six appearances, and it led his father, Odell Beckham Sr., topost an 11-minute Instagram video showing how his son was beingmisused.
The 29-year-old LSU product wasreleased by the Browns less than a week later and generated interestfrom several contenders, but Miller told Bishop the receiver wasready to make their offseason conversations become reality.
"It's time, man," Beckham toldMiller. "Time to put it all together."
The veterans have played a key role inhelping the Rams earn a place opposite the San Francisco 49ers inSunday's NFC Championship Game.
Miller recorded 10 total tackles, twosacks and a forced fumble in playoff wins over the Arizona Cardinalsand Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Beckham tallied 10 receptions for 123 yardsand one touchdown in those contests.
Both players are also scheduled tobecome unrestricted free agents this offseason, so they will have theopportunity to continue their partnership, either in Los Angeles orelsewhere.
Just don't bet on Cleveland as thedestination if they decide to link up with a new team.
