After being selected 10th overall in 2016, Eli Apple has been disastrous on and off the field for the Giants in two seasons. Many assumed Apple who is full on natural talent, and short on maturity, would be jettisoned from New York.
On the field Apple’s career in New York can be summed up with allowing big plays and lackluster effort on defense. His overall demeanor and play also led to alienating teammates such as Landon Collins.
Courtesy of ProFootballTalk, Apple is getting a fresh start under the Giants new regime.
“Day one is Monday and every guy that walks in that room, day one is Monday,” Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher said, via quotes distributed by the team. “So, whatever happened before, whether it was here or whether it was with a different team, guys that we draft, whether it was in college, whatever it was that has happened with guys, day one is Monday. Day one is the first day those guys walk in the building, and we’re going to build from there.”
The Giants drafted Apple with the 10th overall pick in 2016 for a reason. He has not lived up to his draft status in two seasons, but the new staff seems to believe they can get the most out of him.
“He’s a big guy; he can run; he’ll tackle and that’s the thing it takes to be a good corner, if you can get close in coverage,” assistant defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend said. “Everybody, every day, the one thing you can always control is your technique. We’ll work that daily. Tackling, you’ll work that. But he has God-given ability that most people don’t have. He’s 6-1, runs a 4.4, and he’ll hit you. So, that’s something good to work with.”
The Giants are looking to rebuild a porous defense from last season. Apple has a ton of ability which has yet to translate on the field. Year 3 could be a make or break season for his NFL career.