From the editor’s playbook

Give us time to grow up

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This past year I’ve noticed a few changes in my life that are subtle, but are signs of growing up. One of which stares at me as I type away on my computer at the office.

My coffee cup.

I’ve recently traded in energy drinks for coffee, something that shocked my coworkers at the time. On those long deadline days, instead of running to the gas station for one of those “monstrous” cans of get-up-and-go that’ll knock out my kidneys sooner rather than later, I kindly ask one of my coworkers to make some coffee. At the time, I considered it more cost effective than anything else. Why go out and spend money on an energy drink when we have office-paid coffee here? But now, I take pleasure in drinking that hot cup to warm me up in the morning, no matter if it’s really giving me that extra burst that I need.

I’m turning into an adult. At 28.

It took me all this time to consider myself somewhat of a responsible adult, again, at 28, yet no one around me has told me I need to “grow up.”

This past week, various reports came out about New York Giants cornerback Eli Apple and his apparent immaturity. It’s been a rough season for the Giants — much to my entertainment as an Eagles fan — and Apple’s antics has been a highlight this week.

The Giants suspended the second-year defensive back for the final game of the season for “a pattern of behavior that is conduct detrimental to the team.” The ban came on Wednesday, with a series of unfortunate events including a confrontation with coaches at practice. Teammates have spoken out to the media, including fellow defensive back Landon Collins who called Apple a “cancer” during a radio interview Tuesday. The Pro Bowl safety has since apologized, saying he will “never stop supporting” Apple.

Then on Wednesday afternoon, various NFL analysts saw their chance to pounce with their hot takes, including Mike Garafolo who wrote on Twitter, “We all had a good laugh about the ‘can’t cook’ part of Bob McGinn’s anonymous scouting report of Eli Apple before the draft but the ‘no life skills’ part was a [bullseye].”

We forget, Eli Apple is just 22. An assassination of the kid’s character seems unnecessary, especially given the circumstances.

On Wednesday, Dane Blackson, Apple’s half-brother, told TMZ Sports he believes their mother is “the cancer.” If you ran an internet search “Eli Apple family issues,” a slew of articles pop up, including one from the New York Post with the headline “Family problems are impacting Giant’s pariah Eli Apple.”

This is the part of the story where it starts to get a bit gossipy, but just picture this. You’re 22 years old, a first-round pick in 2016 with high expectations on a team that’s won just 2-13 headed into their final game of the year. On top of that, your family is falling apart, with your mother undergoing brain surgery, your parents divorcing, and other bickering amongst other family members. I imagine a 22-year-old would have a hard time dealing with all of this, let alone someone who is in the spotlight of the relentless New York media.

I don’t think the ability to prepare a five-course meal is enough “life skills” to handle all of that.

So let’s give the kid a break. Sure, there’s still some growing up to do, but again, he’s 22. I’m barely grown up now at 28, as I sip coffee from my Avengers coffee cup.

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