Summertime Blog Bits: Receiver Rueben Randle

Today we hear from second-round draft pick Rueben Randle, one of the rookie draft picks who is projected to be a contributor right out of the gate.  

Q. You’ve been described as “NFL-Ready.” Are you?
A. Right now? No, but I think I can get there. I have a lot of confidence in my ability and the coaching. A lot of my teammates have been coaching me up this spring, so I think I can be ready to play.

Q. Stepping back for a minute, what’s been the biggest adjustment for you so far?
A. I would say the whole adjustment of coming from college to the pros is different because of the speed of the game and the players at this level. The players in the NFL are a lot smarter and faster, so I think you have to learn different techniques in order to beat those guys.

Q. Do you try to mold your game after anyone in particular?  
A.  No, I just try to be a complete receiver. I’m not trying to be like anyone else. I take little pieces here and there from other guys and try to add it to my game so I can be the best receiver I can be.

Q. Do you think that the 40 time for a receiver is a bit overrated in terms of judging whether a guy will be successful?
A. Right, it’s not always about who has the fastest 40 time. It’s about who can separate and make the plays. As a receiver, that’s our job, to separate and make plays.

Q. How exciting is it to know you’ll be on the receiving end of passes thrown by a two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback?  
A. That’s very exciting. As a receiver, you want someone who can get you the ball. You work so hard to get open, so you want that ball. Coming in to play with Eli is very exciting.

Q. Does having fallen to the end of the second round in the draft motive you any more to come out of the gate proving to the league that they made a mistake in passing over you?  
A. No, not at all. My job was always to come in and play football, no matter where I got drafted. I’m not going to hold it against anybody about where I got drafted.

Q. What items are on your training camp agenda as far as taking those steps to being ‘NFL-ready’?  
A. I just want to continue to get better in everything. I try to catch everything that comes my way. I also want, in my route running, to get the most separation that I can.