By DAN EVANS
The Giants have decided to part ways with dynamic wide receiver, Victor Cruz, after being plagued with the injury bug over a few seasons.
The seven-year veteran has been a major part of the team ever since he burst onto the scene during a preseason game against the New York Jets in 2010. He made the team for the 2011 season and put up a tremendous stat line of 82 receptions, 1,536 yards, and nine touchdown receptions.
Cruz’s departure from the team left fans with mixed reactions, the majority of them have nothing but great things to say about the former Giant.
“Nobody could believe it,” said college freshman Caleb Herbst. “He always seemed like the fastest player on the field no matter who they were facing.”
Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images
Hometown Hero
The Paterson native was signed as an un drafted free agent out of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, received a five year $45 million dollar contract for the 2013 season, according to the website of the NFL.
Cruz has spent the last few seasons suffering from injuries sustained in his patellar tendon and his calf, injuries that can be detrimental to players like Cruz who rely on their speed to make plays. However, the 30 year old was able to make a comeback for the 2016 season where he registered just 39 receptions for 586 total yards and a single touchdown. The numbers are not what the Giants expected out of Cruz, and certainly not what he expected out of himself; however, after missing over 20 games in the past two years, the numbers could be a lot worse when taking all of this into consideration.
“At his current level of production and high salary, the team really can’t afford to keep him around,” said college junior Joseph Ugri. “It makes no sense to keep him around if we can get somebody younger, and more productive for cheap.”
With the release of Cruz, the Giants will save a bit of money, as Cruz would have made $7.4 million in the 2017 season, according to the New York Times.
In an article published by the New York Times, Cruz said, “I pretty much grew up in front of the eyes of this entire organization. The Giants fan base, the community, my hometown, my family. I grew up there. It’s very much a family atmosphere, and it’s very much like leaving your family. That’s what it feels like.”
[AUDIO: Listen to college sophomore, Alex Evans discuss his favorite memory of Victor Cruz]
Giant Impact
Victor Cruz has left quite a mark on the history of the New York Giants organization, and has certainly made his presence known in the record books, as he is number 10th all-time on the Giants receptions list with 303, 10th all-time on the receiving yards list with 4,549, and 17th all-time in touchdown receptions with 25.
“I have many fond memories of watching Victor Cruz make incredible plays on the football field,” said lifelong season ticket holder, Frank Connor. “I was at the preseason game back in 2010 where he made a name for himself against the Jets, from that moment I knew he’d be a special player for sure.”
The Giants organization had nothing but kind words to say about the former team captain, as general manager Jerry Reese said,“He came in here and earned everything that he’s gotten.”
Cruz believes that he has a lot left in the tank, and will look for opportunities with other teams for the 2017 season.
Overall a great story, I enjoyed the subheading where each part of the story had great facts. I thought it has a great explanation for someone who may not know him and got to see how he came up to where he is today. The audio was a great add to hear someone’s opinion and that actual play made you have a picture in your head.