Giants' Collins: Apple and I 'buried the hatchet a while ago'

After butting heads publicly last season, New York Giants safety Landon Collins said Monday he and cornerback Eli Apple have patched up their relationship during the offseason.

"We talked. Definitely we talked. We've definitely buried the hatchet a while ago," Collins told reporters as the Giants began their offseason program, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan. "That's my guy, my brother. I'm always going to have his back. We knew what kind of caliber player he is. He knows what kind of caliber player I am. We're just trying to get to work and make this season go."

Apple, drafted 10th overall in 2016, has yet to come close to the potential the G-Men saw in him coming out of Ohio State. Instead, he's become known as a source of locker-room drama in New York, which went 3-13 last year.

Collins, one of the Giants' defensive leaders, labeled Apple a "cancer" late last season. With the air now clear between the two, he's singing a different tune about his mate in the secondary.

"I'm glad to see him back," said Collins. "He's a great corner. He's very smart. I love that he comes up and lays the boom on guys and he's a great coverage guy. We need him. We're glad to have him back."

Apple's roster spot was thought to be in jeopardy at the end of the 2017 campaign, but the Giants' new front office and coaching staff decided to award him a clean slate.

Apple, who complained about his playing time throughout last season, made 49 tackles in 11 games. Collins, meanwhile, made the Pro Bowl for a second consecutive campaign after racking up 104 tackles and two interceptions.