Is Victor Cruz Still A Viable Option at WR?
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz continues to pursue his comeback with the team. After nearly two seasons away from the game, he’s finally participating in full practices. But the addition of several intriguing receivers, has made his potential return anything but guaranteed. Coming back from two serious leg injuries is certainly no easy feat. Cruz’s age, playing style, and receding natural ability only add to the myriad of questions.
Images of an aerial assault featuring Eli Manning whistling passes to Odell Beckham and a healthy Victor Cruz have been dormant in the heads of New York Giants’ fans for more than a year now. Before Odell Beckham became Odell Beckham, Victor Cruz’s knee had already been reduced to jelly, on the Lincoln Financial Field turf against the rival Eagles.
2014 became the year of Odell, and after an otherwise uninspiring 2014, fans had an enticing pairing of Beckham and Cruz to look forward to in 2015. This tandem of course never materialized, as Cruz experienced issues with his calf in returning from his torn patellar tendon. He missed the entire 2015 season, making August 12th the first time Cruz may see any game action in roughly 22 months.
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As a result, it is impossible to gauge the type of player Cruz will be whenever he does find the field. Twenty two months is a long absence from any endeavor, and a hiatus from professional football is unlike any other professional sport.
Has Cruz’s Recovered Completely?
Cruz has shown “promise” when compared to the disappointment of last season, as he has actually been able to compete in drills and run routes with little to no hindrance, at least on the surface. NJ.com has reported Cruz has been active at camp, but at barely six feet tall, and turning 30 this coming season, has Cruz’s time come and gone with the Giants?
The Giants currently have eight receivers competing for the last two or possibly three roster spots at the position. Going into the preseason, it is fairly certain that Dwayne Harris and Victor Cruz, along with the obvious pairing of Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard, are guaranteed a roster spot. After these four, it is a talented log jam of young, inexperienced players who have the next month or so to impress before the regular season begins.
Cruz & The Kids
So far, it appears that these receivers are making the most of their opportunities, while Victor Cruz has been gingerly running on the sidelines and has yet to make a splash on the practice field. And during Tuesday’s practice, he was forced to sit out due to a tight groin, according to Newsday in a report dated Aug. 9, 2016. As opposed to designating a spot to an aging wide receiver who has not played a game since 2014, the other receivers must be given the chance to earn a spot ahead of him.
The Giants’ wide receiving core is one of the deepest groups on the team; from draft picks to undrafted free agents, international players to career journeymen; the Giants have engaged all types of players in an attempt to take pressure off of the one-man Beckham show.
Sterling Shepard has already emerged as a legitimate number two threat alongside Beckham, impressing even before camp started, and now validating the hype that has surrounded the former Oklahoma Sooner since his draft day. With Victor Cruz, this trio certainly impresses, but with no one over six feet and the third piece largely unknown, perhaps the Giants would be better in allowing a younger, healthier and more physical receiver to step up into that third slot.
The fact remains that Cruz has yet to prove he can play on a consistent basis, or remain healthy for a whole season. Of course, he made big plays during his most productive seasons, but the Giants are not lacking in the big pay department. Beckham and Shepard are more than capable of creating huge plays close to the line of scrimmage, but a more physical presence nearer to the goal line has been sorely missed the past few seasons.
Training Camp Fodder
This training camp, Darius Powe, Roger Lewis, Geremy Davis, and Taverres King, all over six feet tall, have all been making plays, during their limited opportunities, and fulfilling their most vital role: staying healthy. All are younger than Cruz, and represent a much lower risk when comparing production to salary.
There is next to no chance that Victor Cruz is cut this off season, and maybe he does come back and put up decent numbers.
This production could even border on hopeful optimism, however there is no way to predict the type of success Cruz will ultimately experience. But, worst case scenario in fielding another receiver is adequate production surrounded by proven play makers; while also molding a younger, more promising receiver in a season where the Giants are not necessarily the first name that comes to mind for Super Bowl LI predictions.