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Over the last two games, Rueben Randle has arguably been the No. 1 receiver for the New York Giants. Randle has caught nine passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns. He is the only wide receiver who has caught a touchdown in the last two games.
However, Eli Manning and Randle are still constantly not on the same page. And when they miss, they miss big. Six of Manning’s NFL-leading 15 interceptions have been on passes intended for Randle. Manning threw an interception on each of New York’s first two possessions on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears, and Randle was targeted on both of them.
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The damage from the first interception was expunged by the Giants defense, who forced a turnover on downs. The second interception was returned 48 yards for a touchdown by Tim Jennings. The pick-six proved to be the difference, as the Giants fell to Bears 27-21.
It was hard to tell whose fault it was on each of the turnovers. The first one could’ve been an early throw from Manning or a late turn from Randle. On the second pick, it looked like Manning read the coverage wrong. Jennings was sitting on the short curl route and Randle took off to get behind the defense. Manning threw the curl and then found himself chasing Jennings down the sideline.
It looks like Randle has the potential to be a legitimate No. 1 receiver once he and Manning work out the kinks. The problem is that there is no sign of that happening just yet.
Hakeem Nicks will be a free agent at the end of this year. Randle’s production and chemistry with Manning by the season’s end will play a major factor in the decision-making of New York’s front office. The Giants have so many problems to address, they may not be in a position to sink major coin into another wide receiver.
Daniel Brennan covers the New York Giants for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @DBrennan30 and add him to your network on Google.
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