Sure, it is hard to take sometimes, which is why Eli Apple celebrates a bit more vociferously than he usually is wont to do when he makes a play in practice on Odell Beckham Jr.
It is the same routine every time at Giants training camp. The ball is in the air, Beckham is running under it, and the fans are buzzing with anticipation. When Beckham makes the catch, loud cheers ring out. When he does not?
“It’s more of a sigh, like ‘ahh,’ because they expect Odell to make the play,’’ Apple said Wednesday.
The “ahhs’’ are what Apple and his fellow defensive backs want to hear, an audible sense of deflation that the wondrous Beckham did not do something wonderful — or even something standard.
“I notice that,’’ Apple said. “I try to feed into the crowd a little bit, sometimes. I did that the other day, because they like to kind of scream when Odell catches the ball, it could be a 5-yard catch and they’re gonna make some noise. So any time we make a play on Odell, we kind of want to let them know: Not anything is easy out here.’’
If anyone wants to put together a handful of the most dynamic Giants players in the first week of camp, Apple — the second-year cornerback from Ohio State — must be included. He is noticeably bigger, having gained a few pounds of muscle, and far more aggressive and decisive in his second NFL camp.
After a few stumbles as a rookie — he was benched during the first game against the Eagles — Apple played like a first-round pick, and there were more than occasional glimpses of a future star in the making. That is the way Apple looks this summer.
“Tremendously,’’ safety Landon Collin said about how Apple has developed. “Just the way he brings his knowledge to the game, now that he understands and he sees it faster. He’s two steps before the play goes.’’
Working every day against Beckham and Brandon Marshall can be harrowing, but Apple sees the work as a daily tutorial. In particular, he thirsts for the one-on-one duels with Beckham, who views practice as an opportunity to put on a show.
“We make each other better,’’ Apple said. “That’s the main thing. I want to make Odell the best receiver in the NFL; he wants to make me the best corner in the NFL. For us to do that, we got to go hard every play.’’
Such was the case on one particular play on Tuesday, when Apple covered for safety Darien Thompson and displayed rare closing speed on the sideline to make contact with Beckham the moment Eli Manning’s pass hit the receiver’s hands. Apple was able to rip the ball away on a play that was just inside the acceptable boundary of physicality in practice.
“That was one of my favorite plays so far, probably,’’ Apple said.
Beckham did not say a word. He trotted back to his huddle and Apple jogged back to huddle with the defense. You can be sure the two discussed the play during some down time.
“It’s weird,’’ Apple said. “He kind of plays the teacher role. He’ll come at you one play, and when we’re off to the side he’ll tell you what you did good or what you can do better. On the field he’s like real pissed off and wants to come after you sometimes, but it’s kind of like a master role. He’s kind of like the master, and I’m like his apprentice. That’s what it feels like.’’
Money cannot buy this sort of individualized education.
“I think that’s one of the main reasons I’ve been doing a little bit better on him, because he’s kind of telling me his weakness and I’m picking up on it a little bit,’’ Apple said.
Not surprisingly, Apple said this camp is more fun for him than his rookie year, as he is ingrained within the defense, hoping to challenge Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie for top-cornerback accolades. What Apple cannot do, though, is change the hearts and minds of the fans.
“I remember a deep ball to [Sterling Shepard], they were kind of going a little crazy, and then when I broke it up they were just like ‘ahh,’ ” Apple said. “I like that better than the yells. As a defense you want to play a joker kind of role, where people just don’t want you to make the play, but you make the play anyway.’’