Eli Apple spent a good deal of time studying and preparing to face Brandon Marshall. He wanted to go against the big-bodied receiver not only to test himself but also because he felt it would be an opportunity to prepare for his possible Week 1 assignment against Dez Bryant.
So what did Apple think when he learned just before kickoff Saturday night that Marshall would not be playing because of injured hips?
“Shoot,” he said.
Instead, Apple locked up with Eric Decker for most of the game. Targeted three times, he did not allow a reception and broke up two of the passes.