The dumpster fire that is the New York Giants features many unfortunate situations. The Giants feature the NFL’s most predictable offense, one that is now missing four top receivers, three of which won’t return in 2017. They also feature a defense that isn’t stopping anyone these days, a cornerback who has been suspended indefinitely for bad behavior and a second-year cornerback in Eli Apple who is also reportedly displaying attitude problems.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network provided some interesting information regarding Apple, who was not on the field during the early portion of New York’s Week 5 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
What the heck is going on in the @Giants locker room⁉️@MikeGarafolo has the inside scoop 🔎👀 pic.twitter.com/zdp2dtnHoI
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) October 14, 2017
He said that “it was not a demotion; it was disciplinary” in response to Apple “speaking back to one of the coaches” during practice during the week.
Then, compounding issues during Sunday’s game, Apple got into it with someone on the sideline.
“(Apple) also during the game – after Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie left the field and went back to the locker room – (Apple) came off the field in a fit of frustration,” Garafolo said. “Someone near Frank Mara, who is (co-owner) John (Mara)’s brother, on the sideline said something (Apple) didn’t like. He yelled back in that person’s direction, there was some confusion as to whether he was actually yelling at Frank Mara, who is the Giants’ VP of community relations. So Eli Apple, they want to make sure that he gets his head in the game, stays calm, works on his craft, gets going.”
Apple has not taken the steps toward superstardom the Giants thought he might after selecting him No. 10 overall during the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. In fact, it’s not wrong to say he’s taken a few steps the wrong direction this year. Appearing in all five games with three starts, he’s managed to get his hands on just three balls thrown his way and ranks No. 102 out of 110 qualified NFL cornerbacks with a grade of 38.6, per Pro Football Focus.
Adding a bad attitude to this mix isn’t going to help matters whatsoever. Hopefully for Apple and the Giants, things don’t continue to devolve as the 2017 season progresses. As it is, rock bottom isn’t far below where they’re currently at, despite what head coach Ben McAdoo would have you believe.