Landon Collins calls Eli Apple 'a cancer,' calls for Giants to dump him

Landon Collins wants Eli Apple to ship out.

The Giants' two-time Pro Bowl safety blasted his embattled teammate again Tuesday during an interview with ESPN Radio New York, calling Apple "a cancer" and making it clear he believes the Giants need to get rid of the 2016 No. 10-overall pick in the offseason.

Collins, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday after having season-ending surgery on his fractured forearm Monday, was asked by Bob Wischusen (guest hosting "The Michael Kay Show" on 98.7 WEPN-FM) what he would tell the Giants' front office about the defensive secondary and changes that need to be made if the team comes to him in the offseason after this disastrous year.

Collins took the opportunity to go in again on Apple and continue their feud.

"There's one corner that ... he needs to grow up, and we all know who that is," Collins said, and there's no doubt he was referring to Apple. "That would be the only person I would change out of our secondary group. The other two guys, [Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie] and [Janoris Jenkins], I love those guys. They play hard, they love what they do. But that first pick, I don't think ... he's a cancer."

Jenkins and Rodgers-Cromartie, both of whom were suspended one game at separate times this season for violating team rules, could be candidates for release or trade once the Giants hire a new general manager and head coach. The corners have no more guaranteed money left on their contracts. Apple does have two more fully-guaranteed years as a first-round pick on his rookie deal, but the odds of him remaining a Giant get longer by the day.

Collins' comments are simply the latest escalation of what has become a very public issue between him and Apple. Collins defended Apple, who has had a tumultuous season marred by on- and off-field issues, while speaking to reporters on Dec. 13. In his comments, Collins called Apple's struggles "mental" and alluded to significant issues in his personal life, adding he had spoken with Apple and offered counsel.

Apple then responded the next day by telling reporters he had never spoken to Collins, implying the safety was lying. Collins stood by his comments to reporters, but he was so enraged by what Apple said he confronted the corner inside the team facility and had to be restrained by teammates, according to sources. The incident was detailed in NJ Advance Media's recent report on the significant family strife that has impacted Apple this season - issues Collins was apparently referring to when this he-said, he-said ordeal began.

After the run-in, but before the incident was reported, Collins said Apple needed to grow up in a prior appearance on ESPN Radio New York.

Apple played no defensive snaps in Sunday's 23-0 loss to the Cardinals, only playing on special teams. It was the fifth game in the last six he has not played corner; he was inactive for the other four. Apple also appeared removed from the team on the sideline, sitting or standing away from the defensive subs and assistants when the Giants' defense was on the field.

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.

Let's block ads! (Why?)