CATCH UP! Giants rookie receiver Rueben Randle is being criticized for not giving that extra effort needed to succeed in the NFL. (
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Players usually take care of their own — especially when a teammate is criticized on a television broadcast by an announcer who is not around the team on a regular basis.
So, when Cris Collinsworth took a shot at rookie receiver Rueben Randle on the NBC broadcast of Sunday night’s Giants-Eagles game, it figured that those who work closely with Randle would rally around the kid.
Randle was on the field for just four offensive plays and had just one pass thrown his way, a deep ball along the left sideline that fell incomplete, although Randle did draw an illegal contact penalty on Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.
“Randle’s work ethic has been questioned a bit with the Giants,’’ Collinsworth said after the play. “They’re hoping that he grows up as he goes along and starts becoming a bit more of a pro.”
Such an assessment isn’t pulled out of the air from someone like Collinsworth. Questioning the work ethic of a player is serious and usually not taken lightly by those in the know.
Unless it’s true.
“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 has contributed next-to-nothing on offense, with just one catch for 4 yards in the first four games. He hasn’t had many opportunities but he was on the field for 27 plays against the Panthers as the Giants went without Hakeem Nicks and Domenik Hixon. Given the punt return job thanks to his reliable hands, Randle has shown some flair. Still, it’s a far cry from what the Giants themselves advertised about Randle, a second-round draft pick from LSU.
Rarely have the Giants, unprovoked, gushed as they did about an NFL novice, all-but stamping him as an immediate contributor.
“He’s NFL-ready,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said on draft day. “I think he’s going to be a quick fix.’’
Marc Ross, who runs the draft for the Giants, called Randle “position savvy’’ and added, “He knows how to get open.’’ Reese even offered an eye-opening comparison: “He’s game fast and he’s bigger than Hakeem.’’
The ability is there, that much is obvious, but “NFL ready’’ means a player understands he is no longer on campus.
Asked if Randle needs an
attitude adjustment, Cruz said. “I guess so. I guess it’s just a matter of him putting things together because he’s got all
the talent in the world.’’
It doesn’t always click right away. Amani Toomer, like Randle a second-round pick (back in 1996) from a football factory (Michigan), needed time to understand the urgency needed to succeed in the NFL. Toomer had only one catch as a rookie, and it took him three seasons to establish himself. Once he did he became the most prolific receiver in franchise history.
No one is giving up on Randle, far from it. But they would like to light a fire under him.
“I tell him little things here and there,” Cruz said, “like, ‘Hey man, you got to just show some energy out there. Act like you want to be here. Act like you want to go out there and continue to play and run routes, because sooner or later your number is going to be called and we’re gonna need you to play.”
Has Randle listened?
“I think it’s starting to click for him,’’ Cruz said, adding “slowly.’’
Chase on at middle linebacker
There was a feeling coming out of Giants training camp that it was a matter of when, not if, Mark Herzlich would be summoned to the starting middle linebacker spot at the expense of Chase Blackburn.
The major aspect to the job description is getting the defense organized and spearheading the attack against the run.
One month into the season, the results are uneven. DeMarco Murray of the Cowboys ran for 131 yards in the opener, and LeSean McCoy erupted in the second half en route to 123 yards in Philadelphia.
In between, the run defense was solid against the Buccaneers and Panthers.
Seeing McCoy kill with cutbacks was not a good sign, considering this is a veteran unit that should have enough sense to maintain its gap integrity.
“Yeah, that’s what’s heartbreaking about it is we had it the whole first half,’’ Blackburn said. “Can’t have the tale of two halves like that. We just got to stay more consistent, that’s kind of been the M.O. of our team lately, since I’ve been here, the inconsistency part of it.
“We can’t keep doing this over and over again.’’
The search for that consistency could lead to a lineup change, justified or not.
After all, Blackburn had a team-high 10 tackles in Sunday’s 19-17 loss to the Eagles, including two for losses, and also the only legit sack the Giants got on Michael Vick.
“I’m not worried about how I played,” Blackburn said. “I’m worried about how
our defense played overall and getting better as a group.”
There certainly is no clamor to make a move, as Blackburn is well-respected in the locker room.
Mathias Kiwanuka called Blackburn’s showing against the Eagles “phenomenal” and not accidental.
“When he’s done studying, he studies some more,’’ Kiwanuka said. “He understands football just as good as anybody in this league does, so to have that game where he’s getting the notoriety for it, that’s huge.”