It now appears preposterous to suppose that 9 weeks in the past there was a query of whether or not Richie James would make the Giants’ 53-man regular-season roster.
As soon as it turned clear that James had a spot, a brand new query surfaced: Is he actually going to be a starter? Once more, the reply was sure.
So, who needs to doubt that the previous seventh-round draft choose, who's enjoying on a minimal contract, goes to maintain up his tempo because the Giants’ main receiver? Anybody?
“After I first bought right here, I mentioned in my thoughts that I used to be going to do that,” James informed The Publish. “It wasn’t for everyone else to know, only for me to know. I didn’t need to go anyplace else. I selected this group. I needed to remain right here.”
James’ endurance is growing by the week on a Giants receiving corps that has scored two touchdowns within the final 13 video games — a stretch that started Nov. 1, 2021 and lengthy predates his arrival in free company. James leads the group this season with 14 catches (seven for first downs), wants 9 yards to surpass the injured Sterling Shepard (154) because the group chief and in addition returns punts (seven for 63 yards) as a sure-handed choice.
With Kadarius Toney, Wan’Dale Robinson and Shepard sidelined, the Giants solely have 4 wholesome receivers (earlier than making any practice-squad elevations) heading into their sport Sunday in opposition to the Bears at MetLife Stadium. The opposite three — Darius Slayton, Kenny Golladay and David Sills — have seven mixed catches on the season. So, James could possibly be the go-to goal greater than ever, which is a singular spot for a receiver who usually was handled as a spare half throughout three seasons with the 49ers.
“I’ve by no means been on this spot,” James mentioned. “I solely had one sport to indicate what I may do. If you’ve been ready for a sure variety of years, who wouldn’t need to play properly? Any receiver would need to come to a pass-happy offense.”
The sport James referred to was a nine-catch, 184-yard efficiency on 13 targets on Nov. 5, 2020 in opposition to the Packers. He by no means has been focused greater than seven occasions in any of his different 42 video games, however his first three video games with the Giants account for 3 of his eight profession video games with a minimum of 5.
“I knew I had it,” James mentioned. “It’s simply alternative and timing need to be good. It’s nothing particular or nothing loopy. Simply alternative.”
The irony is that James’ alternative was created by harm. Shepard, Toney and others missed time throughout coaching camp and James stepped in with the starters.
“He’s been very constant. He’s on the market each day,” head coach Brian Daboll mentioned. “He’s a really reliable receiver —S he’s the place he’s presupposed to be when he’s presupposed to be there. I believe he’s earned that confidence, not simply from the teaching workers however from the quarterback as properly.”
One 12 months in the past, James was the one who misplaced a chance when he suffered a knee harm within the preseason and underwent surgical procedure that originally carried a six-week timeline for restoration. He by no means performed one other down for the 49ers.
“If I needed to sum him up in a number of phrases I might say ‘starvation for the sport,’” Delfonte Diamond, James’ offseason coach mentioned. “He was by no means complacent. All that exterior noise — Richie James just isn't going to return again from harm — he used as gasoline. He referred to as me all excited when he first signed and mentioned, ‘I can’t wait to get on the sphere there as a result of I’ve bought a lot to show.’ There was a lot in him for individuals to see. The very best half is that he’s simply getting began.”
The Giants have the fewest completions of 20 or extra yards within the NFL this season (4) and receivers coach Mike Groh is searching for tackle-breaking gamers who “can take a brief go and go a great distance.” With Shepard out, it is likely to be James from the slot.
“Richie is an instinctive route runner and his physique language expresses itself to the quarterback,” Groh mentioned. “To have the ability to anticipate that a man goes to be open as he's approaching a window in order that he can let it go a click on early is necessary.”
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