Was Apple made an example of?

[Jeremy Igo]

Didn't have much impact on the field if any at all, but was he made an example of and will that benefit the team?

 

Seems like Rhule saw softness and less than ideal effort. Got him the fug out within two hours. Have to think players took notice.

[Khyber53]

Maybe, but we're also not privy to how Apple had been in practice or in DB meetings. This might have been a long time coming more than just the one really, really lackluster performance.

I do think it is a "don't think because you got a high draft pick or a recognized name that you're anything special" wake up call, though. Had Rhule been the coach last year, I don't think McCoy or Irvin would have made it past week 3.

[nctarheelreincarnated]

He wasn't good, and supposedly he left practice yesterday with another hamstring injury. If you're not healthy, and not producing, why keep you on the team? 

[SnowPanther]

He was a player on a one year deal, I don't think anyone woke up this morning alarmed. It doesn't take a lot of balls to cut one year deals or practice squad players. If they sit Shaq on the bench for a game, that will put guys on notice.

[Khyber53]

Anyone get the feeling we may also be making some room for picking up some trade folks? 

[ThPantherFan]

1 minute ago, Khyber53 said:

Anyone get the feeling we may also be making some room for picking up some trade folks? 

Good possibility.

[LinvilleGorge]

Probably seems like several messages were sent this week. Soft? Bye. Lost on the field? Bye. Acting reckless off the field in a pandemic? Bye.

When you're a borderline roster player, you just can't afford to make it that easy for them to cut you.

[4Corners]

55 minutes ago, nctarheelreincarnated said:

He wasn't good, and supposedly he left practice yesterday with another hamstring injury. If you're not healthy, and not producing, why keep you on the team? 

This 

[4Corners]

2 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Probably seems like several messages were sent this week. Soft? Bye. Lost on the field? Bye. Acting reckless off the field in a pandemic? Bye.

When you're a borderline roster player, you just can't afford to make it that easy for them to cut you.

SLEDGE-HAMMER (Peter Gabriel voice)

[Wes21]

Eli Apple has a history of not having what it takes to be successful in this league, despite his physical gifts.  It was even spotted by some staff in the meetings with him during the pre-draft process.  We gave him a shot, hoping that he'd maybe hit rock bottom and would come out swinging.  He didn't.  If I were an NFL personnel guy, I'd stay clear of him at this point.

[Moo Daeng]

It may be a side affect but I don't think that was the point. It was about him.

[CPF4LIFE]

2 hours ago, SnowPanther said:

He was a player on a one year deal, I don't think anyone woke up this morning alarmed. It doesn't take a lot of balls to cut one year deals or practice squad players. If they sit Shaq on the bench for a game, that will put guys on notice.

They should.

[pantherj]

3 million dollar deal. So long $$$ and washed up Eli.

[Icege]

Can't help but think that this was less of an example and more of the culture. Rhule wants a tough, hard-nosed football team filled with athletes that love football and hustle every play. Apple had the size and athleticism, but even coming out of college he was known to take plays off during the run and not even attempt to disengage on blocks.

The signing and release, if anything, gives me even more confidence in this coaching staff. They brought in a guy on a prove it deal, gave him chance after chance, and when he did get opportunities he did nothing with him. When your best highlight is getting up in the face of an opposing DB on your sideline after a late hit on a teammate, that's not exactly saying much for production on the field. I'm impressed that they cut bait on Apple + Roberts due to experiences with prior Panthers coaches.

Also, to go with the aforementioned toughenss, hamstrings suck. They linger for weeks on end and they can definitely effect play. However, I'm sure Rhule wants to see guys who are eager to go. Part of me can't help but believe that Apple's willingness to say he can't go while CMC is chomping at the bit to get back after a high ankle sprain along with DJax trying to compete on a jacked up turf toe was enough for Rhule & co to think that it was best to move on and get somebody hungrier in the locker room.