Eagles' signing of Rueben Randle is a low-risk, high-reward gamble at wide receiver

The Philadelphia Eagles added to their young wide receiver corps on Wednesday by signing another youthful talent: 24-year-old Rueben Randle. The former New York Giants pass catcher has been productive over the first four seasons of his career but he hasn't quite live up to the expectations of being a second round pick. Still, Randle was arguably one of the better receiving options and the Eagles got him for cheap with only $500K guaranteed. In order to get to know Randle better, here's more insight from Giants writer Ed Valentine (@Valentine_Ed) of Big Blue View.

1) Are Giants fans disappointed that the team didn’t keep him and he ended up with the Eagles instead?

"I think Giants fans are a mixed bag. I will be really interested to see the tone of the comments in our own Randle post. The guy never really played up to his talent. I know there are fans wishing he had stayed, and others who couldn't wait to be rid of him. I also know there are some saying "man, why did he have to go to Philly?"

2) What are his strengths?

"The guy has talent, there's no doubt about that. He has size and strength, he has good hands, he can make difficult catches and he has enough speed to stretch the field. He isn't DeSean Jackson, but he can make big plays."

3) What are his weaknesses?

"I'm going to put it this way. I think Randle's biggest weakness is a lack of maturity. The biggest problem with Randle is that he gives off the impression that he really just isn't all that interested, that he's fine with whatever. If he succeeds, fine. If he doesn't whatever. I think if he truly wanted to be a great player, truly wanted to be a 75-plus catch guy every year he has that ability. I just really don't think it matters to him that much."

4) Randle obviously didn’t become the player the Giants hoped he’d be when they spent their second-round pick on him in 2012. Why is that the case?

"I gave you part of that reason above. There is more, though. Randle is terrific if all you ask him to do is run from Point A to Point B and catch the ball. In the option-oriented offense the Giants ran with Kevin Gilbride his first couple of years, where receivers had as many as four options in each pass route, Randle just couldn't figure it out. He would go one way, Eli would throw the ball another way and bad things would happen. I still believe, though, that if being great was important to Randle that, guess what, he'd be great."

5) The Eagles only gave Randle $500K guaranteed. Is it fair to say this is a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Birds? Or do you expect him to be the headache that he was for some Giants fans?

"To be honest, I think this is the perfect contract for Randle. The Giants didn't move a muscle to get him back as far as I know. I had one person close to the organization tell me he thought the Giants were basically begging someone to take him off their hands. The only other visit he had was with the Rams, and they didn't offer him a deal. So, he really didn't have much of a market. Maybe, just maybe that kick in the teeth plus an incentive-laden contract where he will actually have to go out and earn his money will be exactly what he needs.

Randle could be great in Philly. Then again, by midseason you guys could be wondering what the heck you signed him for. I won't be surprised either way."