Giants’ Richie James re-emerging at perfect time

After sprinting six yards towards the tip zone, Richie James pivoted and waited. It was the second quarter of the playoff-clinching Week 17 win over the Colts, and with the Giants within the pink zone, Daniel Jones scrambled from the pocket and purchased James time to seek out extra space. 

James floated again just a few steps. Jones zipped the ball towards his 27-year-old wideout. And when the pair related for James’ fourth landing catch in a seven-game stretch, the Giants took their first lead in what grew to become a 38-10 rout. 

In his first season with the Giants, James’ manufacturing has ebbed and flowed. He emerged as a prime possibility behind Sterling Shepard early within the season, then went three video games with only one mixed catch from Weeks 7 by way of 10. He additionally had a pair of punt-return fumbles in Week 8 in opposition to Seattle. However within the six video games since Wan’Dale Robinson’s season-ending ACL tear, James has compiled at the very least 5 targets in all however one sport and gathered 58 p.c of his receiving yards for the season. 

Jones informed The Put up on Thursday that he thinks James has performed nicely, particularly in “big-time moments” similar to third downs and red-zone performs. 

“Is aware of the place to be, is aware of learn how to get open,” Jones mentioned. “Received nice really feel for area in zone. Is basically good after the catch, too. He’s been large for us.” 

James informed Giants.com this week that he has realized about ready for his flip within the NFL. He informed the web site he “undoubtedly grew to become impatient” over time, however “I knew so long as you stick with it and stick with the sport plan, I’d be completely wonderful.” 

James has additionally added stability to the huge receivers’ room amid season-long shuffling on the place. He has handed alongside perception and nuggets acquired throughout his years with the 49ers (he performed on the 2019 staff that made the Tremendous Bowl) relating to advance route method and defensive recognition, huge receiver Isaiah Hodgins informed The Put up. 

“He’s finished an excellent job of simply being exhausting on himself and getting that timing down with the quarterback, of simply ensuring that he’s the place he’s presupposed to be,” Hodgins mentioned. 

James’ current manufacturing has his consolation stage at an “all-time excessive,” Hodgins mentioned, and that advantages Jones and the complete offense — significantly the huge receivers, a unit affected by accidents and inconsistencies. 

“They’ve finished an amazing job, being in the suitable spot, executing, taking part in actually exhausting in each within the run and the go sport,” offensive coordinator Mike Kafka mentioned of James, Hodgins and Darius Slayton. “They’re element guys, they’re sensible guys that you just actually belief, which might be reliable and hard.”