The New York Giants have one of the league's top receiving tandems in Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz. Competition for the team's third wideout spot is unresolved, and it appears the choice won't come down to just one guy.
Quarterback Eli Manning hinted Friday that a receiver-by-committee approach might be in the works.
"Well, I think some guys do some things better than others," Eli Manningtold Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. "So, I think, depending on the route, on the concepts, on where you want to put that player. Whether that receiver is going to be playing inside or outside, you can decide who's going to be in that situation.
"... I think that's why you usually carry six receivers, so you can put guys in certain spots, have them do what they do best."
The Giants would like to see rookie Rueben Randle grow into the role across from Nicks, with Cruz lining up (dangerous as ever) in the slot. Until Randle is prepared to start, he will vie for targets with veterans Jerrel Jernigan, Domenik Hixon and Ramses Barden.
We explored the question of New York's third receiver during the offseason, pointing out that the concept of a No. 1, 2 and 3 pass-catcher is antiquated. We saw the Giants roll out a scheme last season that borrowed concepts from the run-and-shoot, often employing three-plus wideouts on the field. Everyone will play.
Nobody has stepped forward to assume duties behind Nicks and Cruz, but at this point last year, Cruz himself was an unknown. We expect somebody to emerge -- a scary thought for the rest of the NFC East.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
