Venus Vs Mars Pt.II

Chapter 67

As long as the Jets or Giants don't need to play any offense then both teams should be fine for the rest of the season. MetLife Stadium had more people sleeping than enjoying the two New York teams during Week 3. Big Blue was particularly dreadful, as their starters were shut out and ran zero plays in Jets territory in just over two quarters of action. It was surprising that either team even scored on one another but the Giants ultimately won the game, 21-20.

Not only did Bruce Carter block Brad Wing's first punt attempt early in the first quarter, but Rontez Miles also slipped through coverage multiple times, it seemed as if the whole team was off. Eli only got off eight of 13 pass attempts for 52 yards and racked up his second interception. After two long drawn out years Cruz finally got his hands on an Eli Manning pass for a 4-yard gain early in the third quarter. That refreshing and unmistakable "Cruuuuuz" sound hummed through MetLife Stadium once again, bring a small dose of heaven to fans.

But it wasn't Cruz's triumphant return to football that had everyone's attention it was Odell's frustration with offense that had him pulling at his hair. After Rashad Jennings rush for no-gain in the second quarter on 2-and-12 Odell was seen yelling back toward the huddle gesturing, looking agitated. His frustration only grew as Manning responded immediately by throwing in Odell's direction on first down. Straight down the middle of the field, he had a split second to run the route, but what waited in front of him caused him to change the whole route and make not only a play decision but a career decision. He tucked his arms into his body and crouched down  to avoid getting crushed by Jets safety Calvin Pryor.

Eli was left to answer for his wide receiver admitting he had put Odell in a bad spot. "I just had a little play-action. Odell was high but that safety was tight, he was low, my back was to it, so I wasn't quite sure where he was. You're kinda coming up throwing. So I've just got to try to see him and don't lead him into a big hit right there. It's preseason, there's no point in going in there and taking hits or throwing guys into big hits." He said approving of Odell's actions. It wasn't worth it to reach out for that ball in the preseason. Odell was too important to the Giants' cause, he knew it, fans knew it, coaches, and teammates knew it.

The Giants closed out preseason with a 17-9 defeat over the New England Patriots in Week 4. Tom Brady saw the most action he would see as a four week game suspension was set to begin once the regular season started. With their last showcase of offense against the Jets, the Giants had a lot of work to do. Coaching staff released an unusually long list of players that wouldn't see any playing time at all against the Patriots, Eli and Odell among the names they both stood on the sidelines watching live action of wrongs and rights of the team. Talking amongst one another on what the team had to do to get more wins.

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Odell's night was longer than he expected but needed, long after Patriot players and fans had cleared the MetLife stadium, more footage of the game was displayed on the large projector in a meeting room, more football lingo was spread around the room, making plays, correcting plays, rerouting plays, the work was never done.

Massy's night wasn't any different than Odell's, she sat Indian style on the wide comfortable couch going through plays of her own, she watched footage of last season's soccer games on the large iPad screen, she pulled off a square of raw toll house cookie dough and bit off a piece.

"49ers Colin Kaepernick and several other NFL players continued to kneel during the playing of the national anthem, a protest started by the quarterback in week 1 of preseason to shed light on wrongdoings against African Americans and other minorities, particularly when it comes to police brutality."

Massy sat up and pulled the headphones from her ears, then turned the tv up. The fact that more players had joined his protest, professionals, college, and even high school kids were kneeling peacefully, people who weren't even athletes were taking a knee. This pulled even more attention out of Massy. She chewed on the cookie dough with a frown completely unaware of Odell walking in the front door.

"Teammate Eric Reid was first to take a knee alongside Kaepernick, San Diego Chargers offensive linemen Joe Barksdale and Chris Hairston Jr. held their hands in the air during the anthem, just as Kansas City Chargers cornerback Marcus Peters also joined."

"Hey beautiful." He leaned down and kisses the top of her head. Massy nodded and waved her hand but kept her attention on the SportsCenter anchor, Odell frowned and looked down at the half eaten package of cookie dough and all her paper work, he then looked up at the tv realizing her attention was on what Kaepernick was doing. No matter how you felt about Colin's refusing to stand for the national anthem, was neither here nor there, but one thing was for certain: It was time for him to start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. Preseason was over the real games, the ones that counted were about to start and if Colin was going to prove he was capable to of leading the 49er's to a great summer he needed playing time.

"Have you been eating all this cookie dough." Odell asked grabbing at the package.

"NO... I just had a few pieces!" Massy hissed back while reaching for the package.

"A FEW!? The thing is almost empty! You can't just eat a whole package of this s**t! You gotta bake it!" He raised his voice at her blocking her hands and stepping out of her reach.

"Oh whatever, that don't consume raw cookie dough s**t is a lie! There's no difference!" She sat back down on the couch and folded her arms across her chest.

"The difference is 350 degrees 20 minutes! THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE!" He yelled over the distance between the living room and the kitchen as he put the package back in the fridge them walked back over to the living room and sat next to her on the couch. Massy remained quick her arms still folded. Odell leaned back letting his body relax and sink further into the cushions.

"You took my cookie dough." She mumbled under her breath with her bottom lip poking out.

Odell sighed and looked at her. "Don't you do that pouting shit." He scooted closer and kissed her cheek, down the crook of her neck then to her shoulder. The commercial ended and her attention was right back on the Kaepernick debate. "Pretty crazy huh?"

Massy eased her face and looked at him. "Yea, I haven't gotten the chance to call him, been busy with training camp I know he's definitely busy, but I mean I should at least call and check on him, tell him how great he's doing."

Odell went silent for a moment, he frowned as he thought for a moment. "Great?"

"Yea, I think what he's doing is great, I mean it's sad that he has to do it, but it... Somebody needs to do it." Odell watched Massy speak as she kept her attention on the tv.

"You're not thinking about kneeling are you?" Odell sounded a bit concern, when it came to Massy she was the most headstrong person he knew, when she got her thoughts wrapped around something you just had to let it ride out until she tired herself out. She was definitely Bo's daughter.

She sighed but kept looking at the tv and chewed the inside of her cheek, she remained silent for longer than Odell would have liked. His concern grew, not because of the kneeling but the because of the backlash she would receive from people, he knew his temper when it came to Massy, he knew he was protective and when it came to people insulting her over the internet he knew he wouldn't be able to control his temper.

"Have you ever been racially profiled?" She finally asked him, her attention still on the tv.

Odell took a deep breath then released the air, he sat up straight and ran the palms of his hands on his shorts. Him being thrown off by the question was an understatement. He thought to himself. "Uh not that I can think of, if I was it was done behind my back. But I've never experienced it, no." He said trying his best to remember any type of situation that may have stuck out in his mind.

Massy turned to him and smiled, she looked at him for a moment. "You're lucky then." She simply said then turned her attention back to the tv.