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5 best NY Giants players since the 2010 campaign

By Desmond Novack

HONOLULU, HI - JANUARY 27: Chris Snee #76, Jason Pierre-Paul #90, Eli Manning #10, and Victor Cruz #80 of the New York Giants and the NFC are introduced before the 2013 Pro Bowl against the American Football Conference team at Aloha Stadium on January 27, 2013 in Honolulu, Hawaii (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
HONOLULU, HI - JANUARY 27: Chris Snee #76, Jason Pierre-Paul #90, Eli Manning #10, and Victor Cruz #80 of the New York Giants and the NFC are introduced before the 2013 Pro Bowl against the American Football Conference team at Aloha Stadium on January 27, 2013 in Honolulu, Hawaii (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Victor Cruz #80 of the New York Giants does his touchdown dance against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 8, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 36-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Victor Cruz #80 of the New York Giants does his touchdown dance against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on September 8, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants 36-31. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. WR Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz, when healthy, was one of the most exciting players the league had. However, due to back to back horrific injuries, Cruz was forced to retire at the age of 30. After joining the NY Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2010, Cruz would only play in three games during his rookie season. However, in 2011, the 25 year old would burst onto the scene, catching 82 passes for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns.

Cruz was instrumental to the NY Giants 2011 Super Bowl run. He caught 10 passes for 142 yards in the NFC Championship game and made several ridiculous plays in the regular season to help the Giants make the playoffs in the first place. Such as his infamous 99-yard TD against the Jets in Week 15.

While Cruz was one of the best receivers in the NFL at the time, his prime was short-lived. As in 2014, only three years after his initial breakout season, Cruz would go down with a torn patellar tendon in a Week 6 matchup against the Eagles.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, Cruz would miss the entirety of the 2015 season with a torn muscle in his leg that required surgery. Cruz would play one last season with the NY Giants in 2016 before the team decided to release the then 30 year old.

Cruz would attempt to stay in the league with the Chicago Bears, even catching Mitch Trubisky’s first NFL TD in the preseason. However, he would be released before the 2017 season even started. During his tenure with NY, Cruz would make an All-Pro second team in 2011, and a Pro-Bowl in 2012. Despite this, his legendary “salsa dance” celebration and outstanding personality is enough for him to be a NY Giants legend. His elite level of play is really just icing on the cake.

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