Apple lauds opponent torching Big Blue ‘D’
The bad news for Eli Apple: He was inactive again Sunday. The good news: It gave him more time to enjoy the performance of a former teammate — against his own team — and tweet about it. The worst news: He broke the NFL’s social media policy by doing so. Apple tweeted three times during the Giants’ 30-10 loss to the Cowboys, which violated league rules. It states that the use of social media on game day, including halftime, is prohibited 90 minutes before kickoff until after the postgame locker room is open to the media and players have fulfilled their obligation to make themselves available for interviews. Typically, the punishment is a fine, and the rules apply to inactive players, a team spokesman said. The struggling Giants cornerback, out with what the team described as hip and back injuries, seemed to take pride in former Ohio State star Rod Smith burning Big Blue for an 81yard touchdown catch in the Cowboys’ victory. Apple, who hasn’t played since the Nov. 12 loss to the 49ers in San Francisco, retweeted the Ohio State fan site, Eleven Warriors, which posted a link to Smith’s touchdown with the headline: “Rod Smith iced the New York Giants on Sunday with an 81-yard catch and run.” He later deleted the retweet. When told by a Twitter user he isn’t in college anymore, Apple responded by writing: “I’ll always be a Buckeye tho.” He completed the tweet with a devilish smiling emoji.
Shortly after the loss, Apple tweeted: “Gotta smile in times of adversity,” with an upside down smiley face emoji. He also tweeted several times during the game. When asked why he wasn’t playing, Apple tweeted: “I’m too healthy” with a man shrugging emoji. He also tweeted a grimacing face and nothing else.
It’s been a difficult season for the former first-round pick, who has underperformed and been benched. His mother Annie recently underwent brain surgery, and he missed practice time to be with her. The Post reported the second-year pro nearly left the team’s facility on Nov. 15 after his play and effort were criticized in a video review in front of teammates. He hasn’t played since.
Apple said during the week he felt good enough to play against the Cowboys, calling the hip injury he was dealing with “a little strain’’ and adding “but I’m good now’’ and “it’s up to the coaches.’’ Apple was able to practice on a limited basis late in the week and was listed as questionable.
Interim coach Steve Spagnuolo said Apple didn’t get enough practice reps to be ready to play, and the two discussed the matter Sunday.
“He’s going to be ready to go next week and hopefully we’re up and running,” Spagnuolo said.