FanPost

The case for Rueben Randle

A good portion of BBVers Don't want Rueben Randle back no matter what. I however am not one of them. Sure he has some warts but the guy has far more things in the positive column. Before I started to write this post I watched these videos in order:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WhjFdoLj6E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zr4Q_MNFso
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHZPU744pgU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8KxaODMspc

This is what I came away with. Let's start with the obvious, Rueben has the talent. He's also 24, with 4 years of experience with Eli, never missed a game and in my opinion is a player who is ascending. Like the rest of the Giants free agents so far. He can do everything you want from a receiver, go up and get it, make contested catches, go over the middle , work the sidelines, and go deep. And he can definitely get YAC but he not a sudden guy. He's always been described as a smooth mover both before and after the catch. Plus he can be effective outside and in the slot. He also has some really good chemistry with Eli at times on the back shoulder throws which haven't been as effective since Nicks deteriorated. Actually a lot of his plays on those highlights are reminiscent of Hakeem which speaks well of Randle. It's all right there on the tape.

I think most of the people who are down on Randle are expecting more of him than they should. He's not a top #2 but a pretty good one but could be one of the top #3's in the league. He was drafted last in the 2nd round so for comparisons sake lest compare him to our last guys drafted to be #3's. Steve smith who was drafted 19th in the 2nd round and Mario Manningham who was drafted 32nd in the 3rd round but would have likely gone where Rueben did if not for off the field stuff.

Lets just go in order so here are some numbers on Smith, Rio, Rueben:

Games: 64, 67, 64

Catches:245, 211, 188,

Yards: 2641, 2849, 2644

YPC: 10.8, 13.5, 14.1,

TD: 12,19,20

Fum/Lost: 2/0, 4/3, 4/1

Looking at the numbers Randle is the best of the 3.He's been more durable than smith and more consistent than Rio. He also averages almost 8 yard per punt return, so he can contribute else where in a pinch. If we can get a receiver in the draft (not at 10, maybe rd 1 if we trade back) like Doctson, Rueben can be a deadly number 3. Add in ODB and whatever Cruz, Harris, Davis and the others(TEs/RBs) give us and we can have a great passing offense. I think as Giants fans who quite possibly have seen every snap Randle has played his flaws may be magnified to those who don't like him as a player. Compared to the rest of the league he's not as bad as many make it seem.

I'd be fine giving him 5 or 6 mil a year with what the other receivers are getting in the market, Also HE'S THE BEST GUY LEFT ON THE MARKET. That means we can only get worse with who ever we sign. I say we give the 24 year old who's been available and shown flashes an opportunity to grow with the team that drafted him, the only NFL qb he's caught passes from, in a familiar offense, with even better weapons around him. Years 25- 30 could be great for him here.

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