NFL

Rueben Randle set for leading role in Giants’ offense

Rueben Randle entered training camp as a starter for the first time in his career. It meant more responsibility, which also meant higher expectations.

Basically, it’s everything Randle has wanted since the receiver broke into the NFL with the Giants two years ago.

“This role has been something I’ve been waiting for,” Randle said on Friday before the team’s final practice in advance of Sunday night’s preseason opener against the Bills in Canton, Ohio. “I have to go out there and prove myself. Go out there and make those plays.

“Of course. I think that’s what you come to the NFL to do. You don’t want to limit your reps when there are more reps you can get.”

The 23-year-old Louisiana product is getting all the reps he wants now.

Speedy, strong and shifty, the 6-foot-2 Randle is enjoying a solid camp.

After a tweaked hamstring kept him out of practice on Tuesday, he was back on the field Thursday and Friday making plays, darting past defensive backs and around linebackers, using his quickness and size to his advantage.

The Giants’ second-round pick in 2012, Randle put up solid numbers last year, with 41 receptions for 611 yards and six touchdowns.

But quarterback Eli Manning had an NFL-leading 27 interceptions, an abnormally high number for the two-time Super Bowl winner. Randle faulted himself for many of those picks.

“The biggest thing was not being on the same page,” he said. “That’s what led to turnovers. This year we have to communicate with each other to make sure we’re on the same page.”

Randle was a pseudo-starter last season, outplaying the since-departed Hakeem Nicks, but his hopes are far higher this season. The Giants, after all, need him to produce.

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Randle, a third-year pro from LSU, is now a starter, with expectations heaped upon him.

Nicks is gone, rookie Odell Beckham Jr. has missed all but one practice because of a balky hamstring, and the Giants’ tight end position is a mystery, with five unknowns fighting for the top spot.

Randle — who will likely see a lot of single coverage as defenses load up on star receiver Victor Cruz — is thrilled at the prospect of being counted on to deliver big catches.

“I’ll have more opportunities and there’s more plays to be made,” Randle said. “I’m confident in my ability. It’s just up to me to go out there and get the job done. It’s as simple as that. I don’t want to add any more pressure to myself. Just go out there and play football.”

Cruz has seen a different Randle this summer, a more active participant in wide receiver meetings, a more determined teammate.

It wouldn’t be accurate to say Randle is more focused than he was in past training camps, Cruz said, but he has definitely become more attentive and detail-oriented.

“He’s really locked in mentally and he understands exactly what’s being asked of him,” Cruz said. “You can see a different in his focus.”

Randle, in fact, prepared for camp differently this summer, with extra studying of the new West Coast scheme offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo brought with him from Green Bay.

Randle wanted to be ready to have a big year, and he knew it would have to begin well earlier than Sept. 8 — when the Giants open the regular season in Detroit against the Lions.

“He’s really grabbing a hold of the reins and he’s really taking that next step,” Cruz said. “I think this is his time now to step up and fulfill that role, that void left by Hakeem.”

Additional reporting by Mark Cannizzaro.