The door is open for Rueben Randle to become a star. The New York Giants will really find out what they have for the future in these next two games when it comes to the young wide receiver. After Victor Cruz was ruled out with a knee injury and Hakeem Nicks continues to not show up, Randle is the man now and the Giants are ready to see how he handles it.
In two years, Randle has started a total of three games. He has always been the reliable No. 3 when the Giants opt to run that offense. However, this season he has emerge as a leading candidate to develop into a top threat for the Giants moving forward and it is all thanks to his teammates.
Nicks has certainly helped Randle. The wide receiver has had a worse year than the entire Giants offense. Nicks will likely miss out on a 1,000-yard season with just 794 yards on the year and zero touchdowns. Playing in the final year of his contract, Nicks is unlikely to return, leaving a starting spot open in New York. When replacing Nicks over the past two years, Randle has seven catches for 122 yards and two scores.
Cruz's injury also helps. Currently the leading receiver on the team, Cruz has been ruled out the final two weeks and will undergo a minor surgery to repair a reoccurring knee injury. Cruz will certainly be healthy come next season and will looking for another wide receiver to pair up with. These final two games could really gauge whether or not Randle is that guy or not.
"I don't know if I've [proven that to the team]," Randle said, via the New York Post. "I think I'm doing a pretty decent job. There are some things I can get better at. But, overall, it's not overall bad things that I've put out on film. It's my job to go out there and get open. That's what I go out there and do."
Randle has shown potential. As the third receiver, he put up 571 yards on 37 catches for six touchdowns. His rookie season, he had just 298 yards and three scores. When given more of a significant role, Randle has responded and responded well.
Eli Manning is certainly a fan of Randle. The two have shown great chemistry this season when Manning actually throws a decent and catchable ball. He praised the receiver's growth and maturity in the league after just two seasons and he believes Randle will only get better. The quarterback notes he is ready to see who steps up and responds after the loss of Cruz.
"Whoever is in there [on Sunday in Detroit], these guys are going to have great opportunities whether it is Rueben, Hakeem and some of these young receivers get an opportunity to step up and do some things," Manning said. "We'll see what they can do. It should be good."
