Giants Victor Cruz Wins Top Performer Award
By Joe Tufaro
FANS VOTE VICTOR CRUZ AS “VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER”
-Record-Breaking Number of Fans Vote New York WR Victor Cruz as Best Value in 2011
IRVINE, CA, January 26, 2012 – After a break-out season, fans across the country came out in record numbers to vote New York Wide Receiver Victor Cruz as the 2011 VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER. By measuring regular season statistics against his 2011 earnings, fans agreed that Cruz provided his team with the greatest value.
A 2010 undrafted free agent from the University of Massachusetts, Cruz began this season as New York’s fourth wide receiver. After two key injuries to starters led to his larger role, Cruz eclipsed a franchise single-season receiving record of 1,343 receiving yards. While earning a base pay of $405,000, Cruz ended the 2011 regular season with 82 receptions for 1,536 receiving yards, the third-most in the league, and 9 touchdowns.
“It’s been an amazing year, and I’m thankful for all the fans who voted me as the Top Value Performer,” said Cruz. “The other players up for the award were equally deserving, as they all had great seasons, but I’m proud to represent New York and the G-Men.”
The 2011 finalists, which included Dallas WR Laurent Robinson, New England TE Rob Gronkowski, Chicago RB Matt Forte and San Francisco LB NaVorro Bowman, were voted on by fans at VIZIO.com/tvp from January 9 to January 23. The two-week voting period tallied a record-breaking total number of votes of more than 300,000.
For the past four seasons, VIZIO, America’s #1 LCD HDTV Company*, has recognized the professional football player whose on-field performance most significantly exceeded expectations and the value of their salary with the VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER award.
At the conclusion of the 2007 season, the inaugural VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER hardware went to Jacksonville Quarterback David Garrard, who went from back-up QB to All-PRO that season and parlayed his success and the award into a new contract. In 2008, then-New England and now Kansas City Quarterback Matt Cassel stepped in for a future Hall of Famer, despite not having started a game since high school. Cassel led New England to eleven victories, taking home VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER honors. In 2009, then-New York and now Philadelphia Wide Receiver Steve Smith was thrust into the starting line-up after the team suffered key losses at wide receiver. Smith answered the challenge by hauling in 107 passes, setting a new team record. His breakout performance on-the-field, in conjunction with his social media work off the field, helped him earn the 2009 VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER award. Last year’s honors were awarded to Buffalo Wide Receiver Stevie Johnson. After only catching 12 balls for 112 yards in his first two seasons, Johnson enjoyed a break-out season when he became his quarterback’s favorite target. Johnson’s career season of 82 receptions, more than 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, combined with the fans votes, earned him the 2010 VIZIO TOP VALUE PERFORMER award.