Rookie WR Rueben Randle steps up with Nicks temporarily out of Giants lineup.

NEW YORK – The Giants have consistently groomed WRs to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight when the chips are down.

When their number one man Hakeem Nicks went down last week with a broken foot, suddenly heads turned towards LSU’s Reuben Randle.

Let us be clear, Nicks will make big contributions in the Giants offense in 2012. The evidence suggests that.

His surgery on May 25^th was successful and a screw was inserted in his right foot to “hasten the healing process,” according to the New York Post.

Here is the thing, even the casual fan knows that even with the 12-week prognosis being downgraded to 4-6 weeks (per Adam Schefter), that there is a difference between Nicks being cleared to step on a football field and Nicks being able to play up to his previous standard.

So as Nicks works back up to being at least 95%, Randle has to forget the rookie learning curve and prove to his doubters that his less-than-jaw-dropping numbers were a result of misuse at LSU and not a reflection of what he can do.

Nicks will be on the field, but if there is a potential setback or he has to ease back into the line-up into a rotational role, how will this play out for the Giants in the first three to four games of the year?

If Randle does not step up and draw attention away from Victor Cruz then who will? Ramses Barden is not going to be that guy. Previous standbys such as Mario Mannigham are gone.

The newly recruited TE Martellus Bennett is more than up for the job and should see a lot of targets.

It still comes down to this. Rueben Randle is a talented kid. If his heart and his desire can match his talent, he can walk directly into a golden opportunity.

At OTAs last week, ESPN’s 32 Chris Mortensen stated that “they thought he was the most NFL-ready receiver in the draft.” What they’ve seen so far has justified that.”

If that is the case, expect Randle to take first team reps when training camp starts to prepare to step onto the big stage to face his former college ally Mo Claiborne when the Giants face the Dallas Cowboys Week 1.

To watch videos featuring Rueben Randle head to the SEC area of our PVTV-NCAA Network.