B.W. Webb likely to be targeted Sunday as Eli Apple's replacement
Giants cornerback B.W. Webb jogs off the field during training camp on Aug 19, 2018. Credit: Brad Penner
When Eli Apple left Sunday’s game against the Cowboys in the second half, he was replaced by B.W. Webb. The Cowboys immediately attacked him.
“That’s in the handbook,” Pat Shurmur said. “The starter goes out and you do that. That’s in the handbook.”
With Apple unlikely to be available for Sunday’s game against the Texans, Webb will once again find himself as an outside cornerback – this time as a starter – and in the crosshairs of an opposing offense.
“I hope so,” Webb said on Thursday. “I hope so, man. It’s always fun when you get the ball thrown at you.”
The Texans, probably more so than the Cowboys, have talented receivers who can create long days for defensive backs. Their star is DeAndre Hopkins, but they also have Will Fuller who last week caught eight passes for 113 yards. If the Giants use Janoris Jenkins to try to lock up Hopkins, that will leave Webb to cover Fuller.
“Fuller is a real fast guy with great hands,” Webb said. “You have to come ready to play.”
Webb has been playing. He spent most of the preseason as the nickel cornerback, covering receivers in the slot. Now he’ll make the move to the outside. He’s spent more time there during his career, but after having been inside the last few months there will be an adjustment.
“Some things happen differently on the outside you have to wait for,” Webb said. “You just have to be prepared for it. I’m ready either way.”
There are also schematic things the Giants can do to help Webb. Eventually, like all cornerbacks, though, he’ll find himself on an island.
“He’s got to carry his own weight,” Shurmur said. “That’s the important piece. You can’t get queasy about it. You’ve got to keep playing, go out there and cover your guy.”
NOTES & QUOTES: LB Olivier Vernon (ankle) continued to work on the side in practice and has yet to participate in any drills with the team since twisting his ankle on Aug. 26, making him highly unlikely to play on Sunday. “He’s much better, he’s improved,” Shurmur said. “It’s a high-ankle sprain. It’s been a couple weeks, so we’ll just see where he’s at” … TE Evan Engram (ankle) was on the injury report as limited for a second straight day but Shurmur said he is “fine” … LB Connor Barwin (knee) was limited after missing Wednesday’s practice.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
