Despite being the primary architect of two Super Bowl victories over the past five seasons in his role as the Giants’ senior vice president and general manager, Jerry Reese’s national stature and profile among football fans remains relatively moderate. However, the game’s cognoscenti rightfully acknowledge that Reese is one of the most skillful practitioners of his profession.
His two titles notwithstanding, the depth the Giants have displayed this season illustrates the significance of Reese and his staff to the franchise’s success. Those men include Assistant General Manager Kevin Abrams and Director of College Scouting Marc Ross. Under Reese’s direction, the Giants have scouted, drafted and signed free agents as proficiently as any organization in the NFL.
The Giants’ 41-27 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday was accomplished without several key players. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks was sidelined with knee and foot injuries, safety Kenny Phillips was out with a banged up knee and offensive tackle David Diehl continues to recover from an MCL injury in his right knee that he sustained in Week 2 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Nevertheless, backups like rookie second-round pick wide receiver Rueben Randall and safety Stevie Brown filled in admirably. Randall caught six passes for 82 yards and Brown’s interception and subsequent 46-yard return late in the second quarter led to a Giants’ touchdown.
“I guess it just proves what I can do, without a doubt,” said Randall. “I just wanted to come out and prove my ability to my coaching staff and my teammates.”
A star in college at LSU, Randall has shown he can be an integral part of the Giants’ offense with a tantalizing combination of size–6-foot-2 and 210 pounds–and speed.
“It is always great to have a great quart erback,” said Randall, complimenting Giants QB Eli Manning. “It does make the job much easier when you have someone throwing as accurately as Eli.”