The Giants Ripped Eli Apple So Hard During a Film Session He Threatened to Walk Out

The New York Post has an unusual story out which concerns a New York Giants film session in which cornerback Eli Apple was criticized so much he twice threatened to leave the meeting.

"What Ben McAdoo described as a “brutally honest’’ film review Nov. 15, three days after the horrific 31-21 loss to the previously winless 49ers, turned into a difficult session for Apple. He was critiqued more vociferously than any other player, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Post, and he did not handle it well at all. It was widely believed that veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins was put through the ringer for his play in Santa Clara, but it was Apple who attracted the most heated and negative scrutiny. Two plays, in particular, irked his teammates as the evidence was displayed on the screen for all to see."

Those two plays were one in which Apple got blocked out of bounds and didn’t try very hard to get back in, and a punt on which Apple was lined up as a gunner but was seen not trying very hard to defeat his blockers.

"Teammates lit into Apple for his lack of effort on these plays and he was so taken aback that on two separate occasions, he threatened to walk out of the team facility. He had a discussion with McAdoo, ultimately decided to stay in the building and participated in practice that afternoon."

Apple was deactivated for the Giants’ game against the Redskins on Thursday. He had missed practice time to be with his mother, who was undergoing successful brain surgery, but the Post cited sources saying Apple’s attitude had something to do with it, too.

This episode lends credence to a roundly mocked evaluation of Apple by an anonymous scout ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft.

"Before the draft, an anonymous scout gave the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel an unusual evaluation of Apple: “I worry about him because of off-the-field issues. The kid has no life skills. At all. Can’t cook. Just a baby. He scares me to death.’’ This review at the time was generally scoffed at, but after nearly two years with Apple, the Giants have increasing concerns about his maturity and professionalism."

Apple was taken 10th overall.