After being publicly called a “cancer” by a Pro Bowl teammate, New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple was surgically removed Wednesday night and suspended for the final game of the season.
The suspension will likely wrap up Apple’s tenure with the team, depending on how new general manager Dave Gettleman and the head coach he helps hire want to do about him. Gettleman was officially announced as the Giants’ GM Thursday.
The #NYGiants hire Dave Gettleman as general manager.
DETAILS: https://t.co/ZKGdUBRT07 pic.twitter.com/4LoGCzSesF
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 28, 2017
Gettleman was the general manager for the Carolina Panthers from 2012-2016.
“Given where we are as a team, we thought it was important to bring in someone with experience as a general manager and a proven track record,” Giants president John Mara and chairman Steve Tisch said in a statement. “Dave’s experience is unparalleled. He did an outstanding job as general manager in Carolina, and he was vital to our success during his tenure here. Dave is going to bring his own approach to our organization in how we draft and acquire players through free agency.”
Gettleman’s introductory press conference is scheduled for Friday at 11:15 a.m. EST.
He has a lot on his plate, not only with picking out a new head coach, but in dealing with the Apple situation and, lastly Eli Manning. The Manning call won’t come until Gettleman selects a new skipper. The Apple choice may be a lot easier.
Call him Eli Crapple https://t.co/WQO00fUQL9
— New York Post (@nypost) December 27, 2017
Apple’s performance took a serious dip this season and his behavior in practice and with his teammates has been a major issue. Earlier in the week in a radio interview, Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins spelled it out.
“That first pick, he’s a cancer,” Collins said. He later apologized to Apple, but probably more for airing the team’s dirty laundry in public. I mean, usually in a situation like this the guy running his mouth gets suspended, not the guy he was badmouthing on the radio.
I met with Coach Spags and Eli this morning and I apologized for the things I said yesterday. I never stop supporting my brother/teammate Eli and the rest of my teammates as we move forward. Just want him to know I'm always here for him 💯@EliApple13
— LANDON COLLINS (@TheHumble_21) December 27, 2017
Dan Duggan wrote a great piece on the strife in Apple’s personal life that could be behind a lot of his squabbles with teammates and struggles on the field. Apple still has two years left on his rookie contract and a possible third if the Giants (or another team) snaps up his fifth-year option. It could be a change of scenery could help Apple bounce back. It could also be that a new staff in New York plus, say, keeping his mother’s profile a lot lower, could rebuild what’s been broken with the Giants. Apple is due to make $4.132 million next season. New York picked him No. 10 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
As a rookie, Apple started 11 games and played in 14. He had 49 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, seven passes defended and a pick. This year he had eight passes defended, no picks, two fumble recoveries and 49 tackles.
WHAT ABOUT ELI?
If Gettleman and the new head coach do decide it’s time to move on from Eli Manning, it won’t be without some difficulty. They’d likely have to find a trade partner instead of outright cutting him. He’s due to make $22.2 million next year, but New York will be on the hook for $12.4 million in dead cap if they release the two-time Super Bowl MVP.
What does the future hold for #Giants QB Eli Manning? We took a look as Davis Webb prepares to be active. pic.twitter.com/WKeNgwMmsI
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2017
The smartest move, and I’m sure whatever coach they hire will agree, is to keep Eli and still draft a guy high to be his replacement. The Giants currently have the No. 2 pick. Considering it’s almost a sure thing that the Cleveland Browns (who locked in the No. 1) will take a quarterback, the Giants will have their pick of the rest.
The new head coach could be in love with rookie Davis Webb too as a possible contender, or maybe want to go all in on Eli and add more weapons on offense and defense with the high picks. Personally, I don’t think Manning is done by a long shot and place all the blame for his sub par performance on former head coach Ben McAdoo and his offensive staff.
Manning started and played in 14 out of 15 games for the Giants this season. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,336 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
OTHER NFL/FOOTBALL NEWS
DeAndre Hopkins will sit out of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts with a calf injury. Obviously, the game is meaningless and there’s no reason for Hopkins to do anything that might slow up his off-season preparation that will begin Monday morning. Preferably, for his sake, with a new head coach. Hopkins caught 96 passes this season for 1,378 yards and an NFL-leading 13 touchdowns in spite of playing with Tom Savage and T.J. Yates most of the season at quarterback.
DeAndre Hopkins expected to sit out in Week 17: https://t.co/Wy62krSyML pic.twitter.com/X3fMmvJIe4
— NFL (@NFL) December 28, 2017
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback and NFL First Round Draft Bust Poster Boy Johnny “Football” Manziel could be playing in the Canadian Football League in 2018. Manziel’s CFL rights are owned by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and, according to commissioner Randy Ambrosie, as long Manziel meets his eligibility requirements, he can officially sign his contract with the team. The Browns cut Manziel in 2015 after drafting him No. 22 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. He started eight games for the Browns, amassing a 2-6 record. He completed 57 percent of his passes for 1,500 yards, seven touchdowns and five picks. He rushed 46 times for 259 yards and a touchdown.
Johnny Manziel's gridiron comeback green-lit by Canadian Football League https://t.co/DITsCd7OiQ #CFL #Ticats
— CFL News (@CFL_News) December 28, 2017
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is a go for Sunday’s NFC South match up and win-and-your-in pre playoff game against the Carolina Panthers. He’s been dealing with ankle and thumb issues.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is still nursing a sore Achilles and now a banged up shoulder. He sat out practice Wednesday. Tight end Rob Gronkowski was held out due to an illness.
#Patriots practice…Tom Brady on the field…TE Rob Gronkowski.RB Mike Gillislee not.#WBZ
— Tom Cuddy (@TomCuddySports) December 28, 2017
Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray is still dealing with a sore knee suffered last weekend against the Los Angeles Rams. His gametime status remains up in the air. He’s not practiced this week.
The team the Titans will be playing Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars, are dealing with their own skill player injuries. Wide receiver Marqise Lee and tight end Marcedes Lewis have been held out of practice this week. Wideouts Keenan Col and Allen Hurns have suited up, but have been limited.
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