Former New York Giants defensive back Eli Apple opens up about his new journey with his new team, the New Orleans Saints.
Sometimes a certain player and an organization just aren’t the right combination for one another. Former New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple knows a little about that.
The Giants took the former Ohio State Buckeye with the 10th overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Big Blue then traded Apple this past year after a Week 7 loss to the Falcons. The New Orleans Saints picked him up in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft along with a seventh-round pick in the 2020 draft.
Although Apple had some problems both on and off the field, things got better at the start of this season. However, it still wasn’t the right fit for neither him nor the organization, therefore it was time to move on.
Now Apple is in a much different position. He’s on a top-tier NFC squad, after formerly playing for an organization who’s had one playoff appearance in the past seven seasons. The Saints are now just one win from a Super Bowl appearance.
Apple isn’t surprised however that he’s no longer a Giant, and is now more than grateful for where he’s currently playing.
“I was hearing a lot of rumors leading up to it,” Apple said Sunday night after the Saints’ playoff win over the Eagles, per Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I’m super happy to be here now and be in the position I’m in now. I’m just super blessed.”
“It’s just a blessing to be here, a lot of friends and people I know,” Apple mentioned. “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.”
Apple is showing his level of comfort on the field as well. Through 30 games for the Giants, he amassed 123 tackles, only 20 pass deflections, and one interception. Through just 10 games for the Saints, the third-year corner has 52 tackles, nine pass deflections, and two picks.
Good for Apple. Hopefully, he’ll be able to find success for years in New Orleans.
