Eli Apple wants to be ‘the guy everyone can count on’ for depleted Bengals secondary


CINCINNATI, Ohio — Eli Apple’s heart dropped when he saw Chidobe Awuzie’s face.

Awuzie got twisted up with his former teammate Amari Cooper late in the first half of a 32-13 loss to the Browns. He fell to the ground favoring his left leg, but managed to bounce back up and half-hopped, half-jogged to the sideline at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Apple, who made the trip to Cleveland despite sitting out with a hamstring injury, didn’t start to worry about Awuzie until he walked over to check on him.

“I never saw him look like that,” Apple said.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor announced on Wednesday that Awuzie (knee) would go on the injured reserve later this week.

“One of the hardest things for sure is seeing a leader and someone that everyone respects and is a big part of our team go down,” Apple said, on Wednesday. “That’s why I didn’t think it was that (serious) cause I saw him run off at least, but when I saw his look I knew it was something different.”

DraftKings Sportsbook

STATES: OHIO PRE-REG

PRE-REGISTRATION

$200 BONUS

+ NEW USER OFFER AT LAUNCH

Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said the veteran defender spoke to the team on Tuesday and was already pitching ways he could help the coaching staff once he has his surgery.

“Irreplaceable on the field and irreplaceable in the locker room,” Anarumo said.

The veteran assistant told reporters before the Bengals held a walkthrough on Wednesday night that he wasn’t sure what the rotation at cornerback would look like against the Panthers with Awuzie sidelined, but it’s hard to imagine Apple not having a key role.

Apple said his hamstring was feeling much better than it was a week ago and barring a setback in practice he felt good about returning to lineup.

This comes less than two weeks after a demotion of sorts for Apple that Anarumo spelled out after a win over the Falcons in which rookie Cam Taylor Britt took the bulk of the snaps opposite Awuzie.

“I want to keep getting Cam reps,” Anarumo said, on Oct. 28. “That was the plan this week and that will be the plan next week and we’ll go from there.”

The Bengals drafted Taylor Britt in the second round as a likely replacement for Apple, who is playing on a one-year deal, but that plan never really got off the ground and Apple hopes he’s part of the solution in the coming weeks.

“That’s just what I want to do, be that guy that everybody can count on,” Apple said.

Apple will need to be more consistent to make that happen.

Pro Football Focus gave him a coverage grade of less than 40 in his most recent three games, the first such three-game stretch in his career.

According to the site, he’s allowed 19 catches on 29 targets for 278 yards this season and one touchdown. He’s allowed more receptions of 20-yards or more this season (three) than he has pass breakups (two) and he’s credited with six missed tackles.

Apple expressed confidence he can get back on track.

“It’s just the culture we’ve developed,” Apple said. “Just seeing when I got here last year, the leadership around. Everybody is going to pick everybody. That’s what we do.”

Think you know football? Play the cleveland.com Pro Picks Challenge for a chance to win prizes! Click here: cleveland.com Pro Picks Challenge

Bengals gear 2022 affiliate revenue

Get the latest Bengals merchandise: Here’s where you can order Cincinnati Bengals gear online, including jerseys, hoodies, T-shirts, hats and much more

If you or a loved one has questions and needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the National Council on Program Gambling Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700.

More Bengals coverage

Talking musical chairs in the Bengals’ secondary without Chidobe Awzuie: Strictly Stripes podcast

Coach Zac Taylor on injury updates, moving on from the Browns’ loss and more: Transcript

Bengals not fretting lack of moves after busy NFL trade deadline

Joe Burrow on struggles against Browns, sideline demeanor, NFL trade deadline and more: Transcript

Why DJ Reader won’t make his return to the Bengals’ lineup against Panthers

Bengals’ rush defense has rude awakening in loss to Browns: ‘They outplayed us’

How Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and the rest of the Bengals offense graded vs. the Browns

How Jessie Bates III, Germaine Pratt and the rest of the Bengals defense graded vs. the Browns

Bengals CB Chidobe Awuzie out for the season with knee injury, according to report

Who do fans think is the best NFL player between the Browns and the Bengals?

Adam Zimmer, a Bengals analyst and son of NFL head coach Mike Zimmer, dies at 38

Three weeks after being activated off IR, rookie CB Cam Taylor-Britt thrust into starting spotlight

Joe Mixon, Bengals’ rushing offense struggles against Browns: ‘We didn’t win on them’

Bengals faced with terrifying reality of 0-3 AFC North divisional record

Winners and losers from the Bengals’ 19-point loss to the Browns

‘Absolutely embarrassing’: What they’re saying on social media after Bengals’ blowout Halloween loss

Bengals fear worst with injury Chidobe Awuzie suffered against Browns, ‘I don’t think it’s great’

Is the Bengals’ 19-point loss to the Browns a sign of things to come? Strictly Stripes podcast



Source link

Previous articleCryptogambling and taxes: all you need to know about how bitcoin gambling taxes work
Next articleBetter developer platforms are the key to better digital products