Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is excited for a big day at practice on Monday after Miami signed cornerback Eli Apple.
Monday practice gone be fun https://t.co/UpsL3FzGAB
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) July 29, 2023
Apple has made his fair share of enemies over the years, including Hill. The two first met when Apple was in Cincinnati and Hill was in Kansas City in the 2022 AFC Championship Game. Apple trash-talked the Chiefs and Hill, whose nickname is "Cheetah," after the game on social media.
Oh yea that chiefs cheetah pack finna hit way crazier the 2nd time
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) January 30, 2022
When Apple allowed the winning touchdown to Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp in Super Bowl LVI, few people outside of Los Angeles were as happy as Hill.
IT'S BEEN COOPER KUPP ALL YEAR.
— NFL (@NFL) February 14, 2022
HE DOES IT AGAIN. #RamsHouse
: #SBLVI on NBC
: https://t.co/K02y40b5Nu pic.twitter.com/02QlsZmirX
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) February 14, 2022
Before the two met last year with Hill in Miami, the All-Pro wide receiver made it clear he was coming for Apple.
Once Tyreek Hill was informed the Dolphins are playing the Bengals Thursday, he immediately started talking trash to Eli Apple #Bengals #Dolphins
— Yianni Kourakis (@WPBF_Yianni) September 26, 2022
"I owe you, boy" pic.twitter.com/FYkTa7c9k8
In their two head-to-head meetings, Apple and the Bengals came away with wins both times. Data from Pro Football Focus shows that Apple allowed only four receptions for 46 yards in coverage against Hill in those two games.
It's worth noting that the pair's last meeting occurred when Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left in the second quarter after suffering a concussion. Still, Apple has the bragging rights over Hill, something that Miami's star receiver will attempt to rectify during practice.
Apple's overall history indicates that shouldn't be difficult. Since being drafted in 2016, Apple's allowed 28 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Quarterbacks have a robust 100.1 passer rating when targeting him.
The Dolphins lost Jalen Ramsey due to a meniscus injury suffered on Thursday. He underwent surgery on Friday and is unlikely to return until December.
Also drafted in 2016, Ramsey's allowed 26 touchdowns in his career, but he also has 20 interceptions, contributing to quarterbacks posting a mediocre 81.3 passer rating against him. His 72 career pass breakups also greatly exceed Apple's 41 career breakups.
The drop-off from Ramsey to Apple is drastic. While Hill has yet to put up big numbers against his rival-turned-teammate, he'll get plenty of chances to show how big the gap is throughout the rest of training camp.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!