Baltimore Ravens Odell Beckham Jr. 'Wants to be a Big Factor in Games'

Baltimore Ravens receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is coming off a zero-catch game against the Cardinals, wants to be a factor in games for his new team, says head coach John Harbaugh.

When the Baltimore Ravens signed Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason, he was seen as a good piece to add to the offense's already impressive arsenal.

But that hasn't exactly been the case through eight weeks of the season, and Odell is coming off a game in which he didn't catch a single ball against the Arizona Cardinals. 

The receiver was seen on the sidelines venting his frustration after drawing several defensive pass interference calls. Beckham slammed down his helmet in frustration, with the easy narrative to jump to is that the receiver isn't getting the ball enough.

But Ravens head coach John Harbaugh gave an insight into Odell's actions on Sunday against Arizona.

"He really wants to be a big factor in the game," Harbaugh said. "That's what he's used to. He's a world class player, world class athlete. That's the kind of expectation he has for himself.

"I talked to him, actually. He wasn't mad at anybody. He wants to make plays."

A player of Beckham Jr.'s caliber wants to be the focal point of the offense, and he has the talent to be that. But Baltimore has several weapons that Lamar Jackson can utilize throughout a game.

What likely made Odell's frustrations boil over is that the defensive pass interference calls were on potential touchdown catches.

Ravens receiver Odell Beckham JR. (3) wants to be a factor in the offense, says John Harbaugh / USA Today Sports

With Odell being such a dangerous and explosive player if he is allowed to be, Harbaugh says that defenders play him in such a way that they simply don't have him to get a catch.

"Odell's super talented, very determined, really has a high standard for himself, really works hard," Harbaugh said. "They know who he is. They know he's No. 3, and they do not want to give up a completion to him. He's being covered that way.

"Now Odell, and Lamar and all of us want those to be catches. But pass interference is the same as a catch in this league, almost. I was happy with the way he played. I was happy with the fact he was targeted. He's playing really well and I just think it's going to pop. He's going to start getting some big catches for us."

Through his six games, Beckham Jr. has just 14 receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown - not exactly eye-popping numbers, but in a Ravens offense that is littered with talent, they don't have to be.

As Harbaugh states, Odell will get his time in the sun; it's coming. And when it does, the Ravens offense, which averages 25.3 points a game, will get a nice boost in production.

Baltimore welcomes the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks to M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, and what better way for the Ravens to take care of a potential NFC heavyweight with Beckham Jr. being the star of the show?