Collins calls Apple ‘a cancer,’ Thomas interested in Cowboys
Landon Collins says teammate Eli Apple ‘is a cancer,’ urges Giants to dump him
Landon Collins, Pro Bowl safety of the New York Giants, referred to teammate Eli Apple as “a cancer” during an interview on ESPN New York radio. When asked what was wrong with the Giants’ cornerbacks, Collins said, “There’s one corner that needs to grow up, and we all know who that is. That would be the only person I would change out of our secondary group. The other two guys (Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie), I love those guys. They play hard. They love what they do. But that first pick . . . he’s a cancer.” Apple was the team’s first-round draft choice (10th overall) last year, and he had a promising rookie season. But this season he had a film-session blowup and has been disciplined several times. Collins said he had a conversation with Apple about his professionalism, but Apple denied the conversation occurred. Coaches have accused Apple of weak effort, and he did not play Sunday in Arizona, where the Giants lost their 13th game of the season.
Earl Thomas says he’s interested in joining the Cowboys
After his team defeated Dallas in a playoff elimination game, Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas told Cowboys coach Jason Garrett: “If y’all have the chance, come get me.” Thomas later told reporters that he’s happy in Seattle but that being a native Texan he would welcome a chance to play for Dallas “when Seattle kicks me to the curb.” Thomas has one year left on his contract, at $10 million salary. But he made his situation uncomfortable by criticizing teammate Bobby Wagner for playing when impaired by a hamstring injury.
Between the Lines: A common complaint of NFL executives is that if they express interest in a player under contract with another team, they’re guilty of “tampering” and are fined by the league. But the players are allowed to express interest in moving to another team, without penalty.
Clowney turns ‘trash’ talk of Bortles into Christmas gift for kids
Jadeveon Clowney, Pro Bowl linebacker of the Houston Texans, was not impressed with Blake Bortles, even after the Jacksonville quarterback threw three touchdowns against his team during a 45-7 rout. When Clowney was asked after the game what he thought of Bortles, he said only, “He’s trash.” Whereupon Jaguars fans delivered trashcans to NRG Stadium. Clowney not only accepted the cans but filled them toys and took them to Mission of Yahweh in Houston to be distributed to children for Christmas. Clowney may have felt vindicated last Sunday when Bortles returned to past from and threw three interceptions in a 44-33 loss at San Francisco.
More Christmas gifts: Astros’ Bregman has a surprise for his mom
Alex Bregman, third baseman and World Series hero of the Houston Astros, had a large gift-wrapped box delivered to his parents for Christmas. When they began to open it, they were shocked to see Bregman jump out of the box and give his mother a hug.
CLICK HERE for link to the Instagram video
Cubs’ Schwarber eyes MVP and Gold Glove awards
Carl Schwarber, 24-year-old left fielder of the Chicago Cubs, is only a fringe big-leaguer. He spent part of last season in the minors, though he hit 30 home runs in 129 games for the Cubs. He was held back by being extremely one-dimensional, batting .211 (.176 in the postseason) and moving slowly in the outfield because of packing 235 pounds on his 6-foot frame. But Schwarber vows to change his ways.
“I’m training my body for 162 games times nine innings and maybe more,” he told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers. “I want to be an MVP. I want to be a Gold Glover.” Yo Murphy, a former NFL player, is mentoring Schwarber, intending to improve his quickness and agility. “He’s strong as he needs to be to hit a baseball far the rest of his life,” Murphy said. “Now you focus on quickness and position to the ball.” In two months of working out with Murphy, the player has lost weight and also the knee brace he wore last season.
Dear Carl: It’s not a good idea to publicly state goals that are so far beyond your achievements . You’re putting needless pressure on yourself that’s likely to lead to ridicule.