Loading ...New York Giants rookie wide receiver Rueben Randle has come under some criticism after last week's game. Some, including fellow wide receiver Victor Cruz, have questioned his work ethic and maturity level. But after injuries suffered by starter Hakeem Nicks (knee) and Ramses Barden (concussion), Randle may get his chance this Sunday against the Browns to prove his head is in the game, and he's capable of making an impact when his team needs him.
First it was commentator Chris Collinsworth that chimed in saying his "work ethic has been questioned a bit with the Giants." Then after hearing Collinsworth's remarks, Victor Cruz admitted he's noticed Rueben is struggling but offered encouraging words in hopes of keeping Randle's head straight.
“Rueben has to understand that this is a business now, it’s not just come out here, lollygag, because you may not be getting as much reps as somebody else, that you shouldn’t be giving as much effort," Victor Cruz told The Post. “He has to understand that each and every day he walks in here he’s a professional and he has to perform no matter what’s being asked of him."
Randle understands as a second-round pick, expectations are high and those watching will always be critical.
“You can’t really focus on the outside,” Randle said. “As long as you know what is going on the inside and how your teammates and coaching staff feels, everything on the outside, you just got to let it stay [outside].”
What Jerry Reese saw in Randle before he was drafted was a a capable NFL receiver that could replace Mario Manningham as the Giants' third receiver. Quarterback Eli Manning has watched him in practice and is confident he can contribute now.
“He’s been getting more reps these last few weeks, so he’s doing a good job of putting everything together,” Manning said. “He’s going to have to play for us whether it is this week or sometime, he’s going to have to make some plays for us, and I believe he can do that, he can help us out.”
The coaching staff want to see Randle adjust to the higher game speed of the NFL which includes playing at a higher pace and reading the more complex defenses. Randle is working on doing so in practice while he awaits his opportunity in an actual game.
“You know, as a rookie, you’re coming in, you’re going to struggle and things like that,” Randle said. “My job here is just continue to work hard and gain trust in my teammates and the coaching staff each and every week and just take advantage of the opportunities that they give me.”
That opportunity may be here more quickly than Randle had anticipated. Hakeem Nicks' status this Sunday is still up in the air with a knee injury and news just broke that Ramses Barden suffered a concussion in last weeks' game that may also keep him from playing. Victor Cruz and Domenik Hixon would likely be the starters if Nicks and Barden can't play. That leaves Randle and Jerrel Jernigan as the options for the third receiver position. After a week of criticism, a productive game Sunday would be the best way for Randle to answer his critics and prove to his team he's NFL ready.
Photo Credit: Mike Gannon
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I would love to see Jernigan get a shot. But one or both of these players need to make some plays.
There’s never a word on Sinorice Jernigan. It’s like he’s invisible. WTF !
I’d love any of the young WRs to step up and earn a promotion on the WR depth chart. Hopefully Randle can show some maturity and be that guy. Apparently, we need another playmaker while Nicks isn’t healthy, and if eh can manage to get healthy this season, having a 3 game-breaking WRs along with a mismatch-maker in Bennett (if he can ever actually run a route instead of bailing out the O line), could really make this offense move. And they’ll need it, because I don’t trust the defense to stop any half-decent offense at this point.
I can remember seeeing Sinorice in regular season games though, I can’t say that for Jernigan. I’m ready to see what he can do. If a game against the Browns where we’re without Nicks & Barden isn’t the time to get him on the field, when is?
With the physical style of Richardson, I’d hope to see a whole lot more of Kiwanuka on the field this weekend. Also, is Boley dinged up?
I’m pretty sure Jernigan returned some kicks early last season. But if I recall correctly, he dropped 2 kicks early in the season, which I don’t think cost the team anything, and we haven’t seen much of him since.
Certainly not at receiver though
Repost:
jfunk says:
October 3, 2012 at 7:35 PM
Being that the comments came from Eli, Hixon, and Cruz…three “company line” men, I suspect that this is a deliberate motivational tactic.
You’re right, the Giants had to know what they were getting and they felt they could straighten him out. I think public shaming is simply what they’re trying now. Perhaps they fully intend to use him heavily this weekend and are hoping to create an opportunity for him to “prove the doubters wrong” or something.
Whatever it is, those comments don’t come out of Eli and Hixon’s mouths if it wasn’t part of the “game plan”.
Exactly. For all 3 players to give similar insight seems like a “game plan” in my book. But I think this “game plan” might be that of the player leadership rather than the coaches. TC gave the company line about Randle working hard. I think maybe Eli and the WRs thought another method was needed.
Randle will be needed Sunday that’s for sure. Hopefully, we are all talking after the game about how he had a Cruz/Barden like breakout game. Anf not some MM type of mistakes he made. I’m curious what the WR coach thinks.
It does seem that Jernigan is on the quick exit plan; unusual for a Reese pick who has not suffered any injuries
but this week with only Cruz, Hixon Randal and he available, he ought to see some time
we may be getting close to the David Douglas era
I’ll wager we see a lot more of Jernigan on the field before we ever do David Douglas.
I don’t know about that. Sinorice & Barden stuck around for a long time without being productive receivers. Moss never became one, and Barden had one breakout night so far, but I don’t see Jernigan going anywhere any time soon unless he’s just totally displaced on the depth chart. And considering the burn rate on receivers lately, he’ll likely get his chance soon enough.
Wait, so are you agreeing or disagreeing?
Lol, disagreeing. I don’t think Jernigan is going anywhere anytime soon. He can be unproductive for a long time, but as long as he’s still on his rookie contract, he’s going to stick around.
Well, we’re certainly getting mixed signals on Randle. I hope the positive ones are going to prove closer to reality, but I am not going to assume there aren’t some “issues” there when Eli, Cruz and Hixon have publicly called him out. Hopefully, he’s just immature, the team needs him to mature quite quickly, and this is Coughlin’s and the team leaders’ approach to inducing that sooner rather than later.
I guess we’re going to see what he’s got on Sunday.
As to Jernigan, if Nicks cannot go on Sunday and Jernigan gets no playing time I think we can all start to worry that we’ve got a bust on our hands. If a raw rookie gets on the field ahead of him, and gets a multiple of his snaps, that’s a clear indictment and there’s no getting around it. Now, admittedly, he came from a small school program and may need more time to understand the Giants’ complex offense, but he really ought to be able to force his way onto the field at least a bit when we have two wide receivers apparently unavailable and only four who are healthy.
Agreed. If he’s inactive … which is unlikely given the injury situation … or gets close to zero snaps … more likely … then I think we have to face the reality of the situation.
I know they put a big premium on practice. But I’d really rather see him in ‘game day’ scenarios before we pull the plug.
Actually given where Jernigan was when he came out and Randle was considered pro ready, I think Jernigan and Randle are at similar points in being ready to contribute. Nicks is the exception. It usually takes WRs at least a year to get serious playing time under Gillbride. Randle seems to be more on the Steve Smith plan. Start out slow but contribute by year’s end. His biggest issue is that Hixon and Barden can also be solid options so TC doesn’t have to play Randle if the top 4 WRs are healthy.
A forgotten man around here is Beckum (currently residing on PUP). Could be some relief around mid-season. Anyone heard anything about Robinson’s progress?
I have to believe that Beckum is done. This is his final year of his rookie contract. And naturally he’s hurt. He may not even be invited to camp. Sad story all around.
Jernigan is a slot receiver so unless Cruz is sliding outside to get him on the field, I don’t see it happening
I don’t think it’s that rigid. We see plenty of sets where Cruz is lined up outside. JJ was also touted as a 3rd down RB when he was drafted. In fact there were teams considering him in the mid-second round. I can’t believe they’re just throwing him away without seeing what he can do.
Last year Jernigan looked as though the speed on the NFL game caught him by surprise. He looked a step slow with recognition and execution. Right down to his instinctive reactions to game situations. The kid has talent, but he almost looks………well scared to use it.
Randle on the other hand oozes talent. He could very well be the teams #1 punt and/or kickoff returner. His lack of maturity might be manifested by his lack of “care” when others are placed before him.
In other words he KNOWS he better than those placed ahead of him (Barden, Jernigan Hixson) but his brashness and youth will not let him see he has to punch his tickets and indeed learn that he does not know everything.
I feel (As Norm hinted) that the information about his work habits were a deliberate leak. I think all (maybe) can see when the kid gets his hands on football positive things happen. He (Randle) is filthy talented. But unlike JPP, his humility level microscopic. I think Reese and certainly his team mates have seen and understand what type of player this kid is. Hopefully he does not gravitate toward the Dez Bryant zone. As for Jernigan, he needs to be exposed to playing time (like Barden) in order to judge his worth and ability to have impact. Jernigan runs like a scalded cat. But he needs to be put on the spot.