After the heartbreaking 23-20 loss in Atlanta on Monday Night Football, The Giants decided that reloading may not have been the best route and parted ways with yet another top ten Jerry Reese Draft Pick. This time Eli Apple, the 10th pick in from the 2016 Draft was shipped to the New Orleans Saints for a 4th and 7th round pick in next years draft.
Apple had been in the eye of the storm last season that cause some tension with fellow teammates Jonathan Casllias and Landon Collinss leading to both veterans questioning Apple’s maturity. The behavior led to a suspension at the end of the season when Apple for unprofessional conduct.
Many believed Apple would have been either cut or moved during the off season after a poor 2017 where he played in 11 games with seven starts and for the second year in a row, had 49 tackles (41 solo). He also added two fumble recoveries.
Apple showed up to training camp this season with a more serious attitude and seemed more focused on football then on previous distractions and focused on maturing. In the beginning of camp Apple discussed having to be more mature Apple even stated during camp its a process. “It’s definitely a process. I think it’s just, every day is a new day and you try to learn as much as you can, try to pick the brains of the older guys, and try to give the best effort and be the best player you can be.”
Apple started all five games this season. He was inactive for the victory at Houston on Sept. 23 and the loss at Carolina a week later with a groin injury. Coach Shurmer explained the move on his media conference call. “We’re trying to win every game we play, and we’re doing what we can right now to win football games, but we’re also always looking at the roster on a short-term and a long-term basis. We felt like it was good value. Eli has played well for us here this year. He’s going to be a (New Orleans) Saint now, and so we wish him well.”
Apple is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by five-year veteran and first-year Giant B.W. Webb. Shurmer stated that Webb will be in the mix for the starting job.”He’ll be in the mix there. He’s competed well on the inside as well. I think that’s where he’s done good work here the last couple of weeks. He has value playing inside. We’ll just have to see. We’ve got some guys that we’ll slide in and see what they can do.
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