Gang wants the best
SO THE Giants seemingly have successfully shifted the conversation, through some timely leaks and friendly faces, to the bad attitude of second-year defensive back Eli Apple and away from their 2-11 season that got Eli Manning benched and GM Jerry Reese and head coach Ben McAdoo fired.
And so it’s the disobedience of Apple, a 22-year-old corner, being put in fans’ faces to distract them from the butt-kicking that is coming on Sunday from the visiting Philadelphia Eagles, even without injured Carson Wentz.
And yet, there is truth to Apple’s immaturity and problems. This was confirmed by teammate Landon Collins’ candid interview scrum Wednesday in East Rutherford.
“We need him to want to be here and not fighting against us or fighting against the coaches,” Collins said.
And it was Apple’s strange refusal a second straight day to address the media, when that would have been his best opportunity to combat the groundswell of fans and reporters seeking his release.
Apple’s situation goes beyond concerns about a person going through a tough time, though that’s part of it. This is about people in the Giants organization wondering if Apple will figure ‘it’ out before it costs him his career.
If you’ve noticed, no one has gone out of their way to combat the floating suggestions and rumors that Apple may have been one of the anonymous players who ripped McAdoo and Steve Spagnuolo in November. Only once did Apple address it briefly, telling the Daily News a few weeks ago that “facts” would prove he wasn’t a so-called “rat.”
But Apple has played badly and, even worse, at times has played aloof.
And he has compounded his problems — as we find out more and more each day now — with his behavior behind the scenes. His retweet celebrating a Cowboys touchdown last Sunday was the cherry on top.
Apple should not be absolved of any blame for any disrespect he has shown for authority or his teammates. He is a man and he needs to stand accountable for his actions. And he has, with four straight scratches and another one seemingly coming Sunday.
“I don’t want to pass judgement on a kid’s attitude or character,” confirmed by Spagnuolo said of Apple. “He’s going to have to deal with some repercussions because of (the tweeting).”
What is unique but somehow overlooked about Apple’s situation are the circumstances surrounding his attitude issues, which Collins alluded to when he said Apple has “got a lot of personal things going on at this point in his life.”
“I’m surprised he’s still here and didn’t step away from the game because most players would,” Collins added.
Namely, Apple’s mother, Annie, underwent brain surgery on Nov. 16. On Nov. 25, a report quoted anonymous sources on Apple’s misbehavior and threat to walk out of a team meeting on Nov. 15 over criticism of his play.
Any person presumably would be emotional the day prior to his or her mother undergoing surgery, but that was apparently no excuse to the people talking behind Apple’s back. And it didn’t feel like coincidence that these were anonymous sources ripping Apple after fans had blamed him — rightly or wrongly — for ratting on McAdoo to ESPN. It felt like retaliation. Apple certainly must own how he is behaving, especially if Collins and others have had a “sitdown” with Apple “multiple times.” However, when Collins stresses that their message to Apple was “we got your back; you’re our brother,” that should tell you this isn’t a cut-and-dried situation. Those painting it like one are portraying only one side of the story.
Apple, of course, should tell his side of the story if it’s different than the narrative out there.
But, and this is truly laughable, it is incredible that somehow the Giant conversation has become ‘What is Wrong with Eli Apple?’ as if to mask the utter catastrophe that the entire organization has been in 2017.
Eli Apple is not the reason this team is 2-11, nor is he the first person to act out. In fact, he’s one in a long line. It is a major story how the Giants proceed with him, as a potential first-round bust, no question. But don’t forget the real story: The Giants as an organization are a disaster.
And it shouldn’t surprise anyone that one of their young, immature players going through difficult matters in his personal life is struggling. It certainly isn’t reason to bash him before knowing his side of the story. If only he’d tell it.
HE’S part-myth, part-legend, part-promise and part-bust. He’s still a mystery, depending on who you ask. As this extremely weird Jets season enters the home stretch, one question lingers for green-andwhite tortured souls: Will we ever see Christian Hackenberg play?
Bryce Petty has earned the right to start against the Saints on Sunday in the wake of Josh McCown’s season-ending hand injury, but diehards really want to see what Hackenberg can do in December. Todd Bowles, however, said Wednesday that he doesn’t have any plans “right now” to play the 22-year-old signal caller this season.
“Bryce is our starter,” Bowles said. “Bryce is the next man up. We have people at every position that want to play. We’re not jumping people over people just to play…”
General manager Mike Maccagnan’s second-round pick has collected dust for the better part of two seasons, learning behind the scenes amid lofty external expectations. Some have written him off after witnessing six preseason games (in two offensive schemes). Others still believe.
There are two ways to facilitate Hackenberg’s transition if Petty falters or can’t stay healthy.
First, the Jets should take a page out of the Los Angeles Rams’ playbook by using current in-helmet communication rules to their advantage to help Hackenberg (and Petty, for that matter).
NFL Films recently revealed head coach Sean McVay conveying audibles to second-year quarterback Jared Goff at the line of scrimmage through the coach-to-quarterback radio before it shuts off with 15 seconds left on the 40-second play clock. The concept is simple: Quickly call the play in the huddle to maximize time to survey the defensive landscape at the line with the coach’s assistance.