Report: Eli Apple requests to guard Odell Beckham Jr in Super Bowl 56
Eli Apple and Odell Beckham Jr. go way back. Both athletes began their NFL careers with the Giants, and were teammates in New York for multiple seasons. Now, Apple believes he can use that against Beckham during Super Bowl 56.
When Beckham is trying to make plays for the Rams on Sunday, Apple wants to be the man opposing him for the Bengals.
“Eli Apple was teammates with Odell Beckham Jr. back with the Giants when Lou Anarumo was coaching the Giants defensive back. He (Anarumo) said Eli knows Odell’s tendencies. He used to go up against him all the time. The ones against the twos when Eli was first coming up,” stated Tina Cervasio of CBS Sports Network’s We Need To Talk. “He said — the minute they knew they were locked in on the Rams — Eli said, ‘I know Odell. I’m locking in. Give him to me.’
“And isn’t that kind of the story? You have to shutdown Cooper Kupp and let somebody else beat you. If you don’t let Odell beat you — if you think that Eli Apple’s honed in — it just gives the Bengals a chance.”
Evidently, Eli Apple isn’t backing down from the challenge of Odell Beckham Jr. With much of the attention focused on star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Beckham may have some room to work. When Apple is matched up with his former teammate, it’ll be interesting to watch how their matchup unfolds.
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Moreover, a lot has changed since Apple and Beckham Jr. last faced off. However, a clip posted in 2016 by Giants beat reporter Art Stapleton has recently picked up steam following Apple’s comments.
As you can see, Beckham beats Apple for a touchdown in the video. With Apple requesting to cover Beckham, perhaps the cornerback is looking for some revenge against his former teammate.
The former Ohio State defensive back didn’t work out in New York, but Apple has been playing better in Cincinnati. His biggest contribution came against the Tennessee Titans, where Apple tipped the pass that ended up in the hands of teammate Logan Wilson. The interception led to a game-winning field goal for the Bengals.
Additionally, Apple made a huge play against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. With Patrick Mahomes threatening at the goal line, he found Tyreek Hill inbounds — no timeouts remaining. Hill was confident he could score, but Apple made a strong tackle to keep him out of the end-zone. The play was the momentum swing the Bengals needed to defeat the Chiefs.
When the clock starts ticking from Los Angeles, Eli Apple may get his shot against Odell Beckham Jr. When his time comes, the cornerback won’t blink against his former Giants teammate.