Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Giants: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly for Victor Cruz

By John Franklin

Jun 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) and wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) and wide receiver Myles White (19) look on during mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) and wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) and wide receiver Myles White (19) look on during mini camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Oct 23, 2016; London, United Kingdom; New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz (80) carries the ball on a 25-yard reception against the Los Angeles Rams during game 16 of the NFL International Series at Twickenham Statdium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; London, United Kingdom; New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz (80) carries the ball on a 25-yard reception against the Los Angeles Rams during game 16 of the NFL International Series at Twickenham Statdium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Good:

Cruz is a football fan’s hero. Here is this guy out of the heart of New Jersey, went to the University of Massachusetts, and goes undrafted. The next day he signs with the Giants, and the rest is history.

In the 2010 preseason Cruz led the NFL with 297 receiving yards, which was highlighted by a 145-yard and three touchdown performance against the Jets. He made the 53-man regular season roster (people forget: he wore the number three during the preseason), but after just three games Cruz suffered a season-ending hamstring injury.

It was in 2011 where Cruz would break out. The Giants lost Steve Smith, the LSU Steve Smith, to free agency before the 2011 season, and then lost Domenik Hixon to injury during the early part of the season. Cruz filled in with an immediate impact catching three passes for 110 yards and the first two touchdowns of his career.

Cruz’s storybook season would end as a Second-Team All Pro, and to top it off he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after recording 10 receptions, for 142 yards, and a touchdown against the Patriots.

The Giants know with Cruz they are getting a winner. He has a great pedigree, and has stats to prove why he is worth taking a shot on. The problem is that Cruz’s numbers saw a drastic decrease soon after his fairytale season.

Home/Giants Rumors