Eli Apple loving life away from Giants
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By:
Dan Benton | January 14, 2019 7:00 am ET
Eli Apple was thrilled when New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur opted to wipe his slate clean entering the 2018 season, having concluded the previous season suspended by the team for conduct detrimental.
However, as the Giants struggled to a 1-7 start and ultimately a 5-11 finish, they opted to do some housecleaning. And in addition to trading defensive tackle Damon Harrison to the Detroit Lions, they decided to ship Apple off to the New Orleans Saints.
Initially, things did not go well for Apple as he struggled to adapt to the change in scenery and a new defensive system. However, he began to piece things together down the stretch and now finds himself headed to the NFC Championship Game following a 20-14 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday evening.
“Yeah, I feel I’ve really been playing my best ball as of late,”
Apple said via the New York Post. “I think they sky’s the limit.
“It’s just a blessing to be here, a lot of friends and people I know. Ain’t nothing like playing with your brothers and people you came up with and grinded with for so long, like in college. Coming over here and feeling the family love I felt here from Day 1, it was amazing.”
Reflecting on the trade from his current perch, Apple, who was a first-round pick of the Giants in 2016, admits he wasn’t overly surprised to be sent packing and is glad that’s how things shook out.
“I was hearing a lot of rumors leading up to it,” Apple said. “I’m super happy to be here now and be in the position I’m in now. I’m just super blessed.”
Apple and the Saints will host the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 20 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
https://giantswire.usatoday.com/201...IF738abYkQMAO-rJU3sTu_sEz8VYwH6K8WufSSzwI6UUI