National Football League

Giants' WR Rueben Randle: This is a statement year for me

Published Jun. 9, 2015 10:41 a.m. ET

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Entering his fourth season in the NFL, New York Giants wide receiver Rueben Randle is ready to build on his success down the stretch of the 2014 season and finally become the player he was billed to be by game tape gurus like Greg Cosell. Randle racked up 290 receiving yards and a touchdown on 12 catches over the final two games. He admitted that it took him until the final month to finally feel comfortable in offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's offense. 2015 is a contract season for Randle, and he feels like he's finally ready to put it all together for a full season.

“I just plan on having the best year I’ve had so far,” Randle said, per The New York Post.

Steve Serby asked Randle if he believes he can rack up 80 plus catches for the first time in his career.

“I think I can do that easy,” Randle said. “I was at 71 last year, and a lot more balls I could have easily got.

On reaching pay dirt more than the three times he did in 2014, Randle was even more confident.

"It’s going to be more than three, I can tell you that,” Randle said.

Randle will be the first to tell you that he hasn't lived up to his potential through his first three seasons in the NFL.

“I know I’m a better player than what I’ve showed so far, so this year’s kind of a statement year for me to just go out there and price myself, that I can be a dominant player in this league,” Randle said.

Glory and fame come quickly and often to wide receivers who are productive in New York. Past Giants like Plaxico Burress, Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz have all found their time in the New York spotlight enjoyable. And of course, no one has risen to fame faster than 2014 Rookie of the Year Odell Beckham Jr. For Randle, earning his spot in the limelight is of no interest to him.

“I’ll let those guys take all the spotlight and just let me do the dirty work behind the scene," Randle said.

Quarterback Eli Manning has seen a more focused Randle so far through OTA practices, and he agrees that Randle is in line for a breakout season that many people won't see coming at all.

“I think Rueben’ll have a big year,” Manning said, per The New York Post. “I think Rueben can be a great receiver, a dominant receiver. I think he has the ability, it’s just kind of getting it for 16 games and hopefully more than that with the playoffs.

“I think he has it in him. You’ve definitely seen him from Day 1 to Day Now, just the maturity level is definitely improved, he’s all in, he’s been here working, he’s been here off days, and so been impressed with his commitment, and I know he’s excited for a big year, wants to have a big year, and I think he can do that.”

Randle offers Manning and the passing game something that Cruz and Beckham Jr. cannot--sheer size. At 6-foot-2 and a rock solid 208 pounds, Randle displays an excellent ability to make contested catches.

“(Randle) Can go up and get the ball, good body control, catches the ball very naturally, very smart, gets everything, sees the field well, good understanding,” Manning said, “and so I think he’s got all the tools to be a big player for us.”

If Cruz struggles to regain form in 2015, the Giants will be counting on even bigger things out of Randle with Beckham sure to draw added defensive attention. The contract year wide receiver is saying all of the right things, and all signs are positive out of OTA practices. A true breakout season could finally be on the brink for Mr. Randle.

(h/t New York Post)

Photo Credit: Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports