Art Stapleton

Staff Writer, @art_stapleton

PHILADELPHIA – Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie sensed the circumstances might have caused Giants rookie teammate Eli Apple’s confidence to waver a bit, and he was not about to let that happen.

As the veteran of the secondary, Rodgers-Cromartie offered up some encouragement six weeks ago after Apple was benched for several lapses in the Giants’ eventual 28-23 victory over the Eagles.

Rodgers-Cromartie recalled to Apple the story of how he was beaten seven times in one game as a rookie and was forced to rebound, so what the latter endured was nothing compared with his struggles.

Of course, in the moment, it didn’t matter that it never happened.

Rodgers-Cromartie’s motivational ploy seemed to work – even if it was a lie for the sake of inspiration.

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“I have no questions about Eli’s confidence or his ability to bounce back, no worries at all,” Rodgers-Cromartie said with a smile Tuesday. “He knows we need him. He knows we’ve got his back.”

Apple’s resiliency has emerged as perhaps his greatest quality within a skill set that has served him well in his first NFL season. He’s been knocked down a few times, but has refused to stay there, responding to the challenge and becoming an integral part of one of the league’s best defenses as the Giants seek to clinch a playoff berth with a victory Thursday night over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

“They won’t let him have those rookie blues,” former Giants linebacker turned team radio analyst Carl Banks said of Rodgers-Cromartie and fellow corner Janoris Jenkins, who was voted to his first Pro Bowl earlier this week. Jenkins (back) is listed as questionable for the game and the team expects him to be a game-time decision. Either way, Apple will be in the starting lineup – which is where he has been for nine previous games this season.

“You have to be impressed with his confidence and his fundamentals,” Banks said. “They don't put him out there and hide him."

Apple has played 591 defensive snaps and has committed just three penalties in coverage (two defensive pass interference, one defensive holding). Cardinals All-Pro Patrick Peterson, Seahawks All-Pro Richard Sherman, Vikings corner Xavier Rhodes, Lions corner Darius Slay and Jaguars first-round pick Jalen Ramsey have all been whistled for more penalties than Apple.

Over the last four weeks, Apple is allowing a completion rate of 50 percent against him (tied for 27th league-wide out of 107 cornerbacks) and an impressive passer rating against of 54.2 (ranked 14th in the league), according to Pro Football Focus.

Three Giants defenders have played every snap the last three games (201): Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins, star defensive end Olivier Vernon and Apple.

“He is a rookie, people are going to go at him,” Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said recently of Apple. “He is going to make some mistakes, but I like the way he has rebounded.”

Apple was drafted 10th overall by the Giants and the biggest knock on his game from numerous scouts was his tendency to be too physical at the top end of routes against college competition. The concern was that his grabbing would lead to a flood of penalties as a pro.

That fear has not become reality with Apple locked in on making sure his technique is the trusted part of his game. The 21-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3 against Washington, and he missed the Monday night game in Minnesota the following week. He returned against Green Bay the next week, only to tweak his groin, which knocked him out of a second game against the Rams in London.

Apple also found himself in the middle of a controversy involving his mother’s public criticism of the Giants, specifically team president and co-owner John Mara and the franchise’s handling of the domestic violence case against Josh Brown.

He answered those questions like a pro in the aftermath of his sluggish performance against the Eagles, seemingly refocusing on his job when the Giants needed him to do so most.

“I learned a lot about him and the kind of competitor he is,” Collins said. “How he takes the circumstances. Is he going to let it bring him down even more or is he going to rise from it? I learned that he’s going to rise from it.”

Apple delivered against the Lions after Jenkins was injured in the second quarter. He finished with seven tackles, including four solos, and he broke up a would-be touchdown for Lions receiver Golden Tate in the end zone with 56 seconds left in the first half.

“You just have to capture a groove and play your best football heading into the playoffs,” Apple said. “You always have to just keep getting better.”

In their quest to reach the playoffs and make a run at Super Bowl LI in Houston, the Giants are counting on just that.

"[General manager] Jerry Reese and [head coach] Ben McAdoo were confident in training camp that no game or no moment would be too big for him," Banks said. "Eli Apple is proving them right."