had articles about it by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, CBS Sports, etc etc --With the New York Giants working through their last day of veterans minicamp, competition for the third receiver position is still wide open --the #1 and #2 WRs for the Giants are Victor Cruz (undrafted in 2010 out of UMass) and Hakeem Nicks (2009 1st Round pick out of UNC)... Mario Manningham (2008 3rd Round pick out of Michigan) was the #3, but he signed a two-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers during the offseason (Rueben Randle is wearing the No. 82 jersey, which was worn by Manningham last season). Randle's biggest competition for the #3 WR spot is Domenik Hixon (2006 4th Round pick out of Akron), Jerrel Jernigan (2011 3rd Round pick out of Troy), and Ramses Barden (2009 3rd Round pick out of Cal Poly) --the three QBs Randle is working with are Eli Manning, David Carr (2002 #1 overall pick out of Fresno St), and Ryan Perrilloux. When asked how many reps he has gotten with Manning so far, Randle said: "I haven’t really been paying attention to who is back there at quarterback. So just been going in there when Coach tells me to go in and making plays that are there for me. But [no matter] who is back there at quarterback, just plan on catching the ball from him." Eli: "I think he has a good feel for things," Eli Manning said of Randle. "He's starting to understand some of the concepts and just the ins and outs of what his assignments are. There's always a learning period with those guys, but you see some speed, some size coming in and out of breaks and just a pretty good feel and understanding of how to get open. We've just got to see if he can step in as that outside receiver on third down or in three-wide." Gilbride: "I think there's enough ability there for sure," said Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. "He's a build-up speed guy who I think has enough to get by people to give us a deep threat that we need. There’s a lot of polish that needs to take place, in terms of sharpness. ... But I think you see enough to be encouraged." Coughlin: "Randle's caught the ball well," said head coach Tom Coughlin on Wednesday. "Not always in the best body position, as you saw a couple times [Tuesday], but from a hand standpoint and adjusting to the ball, he’s done real well with that." Randle: "I'm really trying to work hard each and everyday to get the system down and just let them know they can rely on me," he said in the locker room after practice. "You might not get the ball, but just go out there and do what you're supposed to do. They see that you're trying to get open and things like that, and when the ball comes your way, you make the plays, and they build more confidence in you and trust you." When asked what was his biggest “Welcome to the NFL” moment, Randle said: "I think it was just when I got here. Getting off at the airplane, people meet you at the airport and you’re signing things -- I’ve never experienced that before. It was like, 'Wow, people are actually waiting for us?' That woke me up right there." When asked what's the biggest difference between being a college football star and a pro football player, Randle said: "It’s a bigger stage. Now you get paid to do this, so it’s a lot more important to be the best player that you can be. This is our jobs now. It’s not for fun anymore." NY Giants training facility in East Rutherford NJ (11 miles from Broadway)
I think he was underated and underdrafted by far, he is going to be a great wideout and I'm glad he got on a good team.
the comments they're making seem spot on. He's got immense talent and if he can polish his route running and hands, he'll be a great player. You have to adjust quick in the NFL so hopefully he can get it done.
You know what people say about the NFL draft: it doesn't really matter whether you get drafted or how high you get drafted, but where you end up and whom you end up with. I feel like Randle is quite fortunate to be drafted by a championship program, and get the chance to play WR alongside a franchise QB Eli Manning. After seeing what happened to Matt Flynn in the Packers, I have deep confidence that RR will succeed in the Giants.
True, so many times if you are drafted in the later rounds, its better to be a UFA. Look at Nate Livings, Danny McCray, Ryan Clark, Keiland Williams, etc. A little homework done can payout well for a player. What are a teams needs, can you fit into their system, etc... Remember when Flynn was drafted, he was the second QB taken and who did they keep. Its also about, what you do once you get to NFL camp. Best of luck to RR.
Except, UFA's better be able to live on the per diem they get paid cuz till they make the team that is it. The signing bonus' are usually less than 20K. At least draft picks usually get a little "spending" money when they finally sign.
Yep, but like I said, many times a UDFA has a better chance to make a team. Once the homework is done, a spot on the roster is open needing a player. When the Saints won the Super Bowl, they had over 20 UDFA on their roster. On this years roster, they have 22 players that were not drafted out of college, not counting the other FA trying to make the team while in camp.
