The next big thing to hit the NFL? The New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz. Cruz, who is only in his second season in the NFL is already putting up records and insane numbers. In my personal opinion this kid is going to be one of the best receivers in the NFL within just a few years.
Cruz was an undrafted free agent that the Giants signed after he came out of college where he played for the University of Massachusetts. While in college, Cruz posted some decent numbers. He was fourth all time for receptions at UMass with 131 receptions. Over his entire college career he scored 11 touchdowns and had just less than 2,000 yards. This all came even though he sat out his entire junior season due to an injury. Then, in 2010 Cruz entered into the NFL draft, only to be completely overlooked and undrafted.
The Giants signed Victor Cruz in 2010. Unfortunately for Giants fans they would not get to realize the potential in Victor Cruz until this year. Mainly because he was placed on the injured reserve list last season for what the Giants deemed a major hamstring injury. Although, in the preseason of 2010 Cruz flashed his incredible abilities when the Giants played the Jets. In that game Cruz had 6 receptions for 145 yards, 3 touchdown receptions and one of his receptions was a 64 yard one handed catch.
In the 2011 season Cruz would grab the headlines for all of his incredible games. Cruz had seven games this season with over 100 yards and four of those games Cruz went for over 150 yards. Not only did Cruz have big games number wise but he also is making some spectacular plays. Two plays from this season come to mind immediately, Cruz's 99 yard reception against the New York Jets on Christmas Eve and his 68 yard reception against the Seattle Seahawks (Both plays can be seen in the videos below). With these great numbers and plays Cruz's jerseys are flying off the shelves at stores and his jerseys are currently retailing the most against any current Giant, as well as Jason Pierre Paul (More on him in a later blog post).
With Cruz's numbers in the preseason and his numbers from this season go to show that this season has not been a fluke for Cruz. He is genuine talent in the game. With his talent and amazing big play ability, Cruz is not only going to be around the NFL for awhile, but he is going to be one of the best receivers in the game.
Victor Cruz is a talanted reciever, but, there are alot of talanted recievers in this league. There have been alot of talanted recievers in the history of the league. And NONE of them played for the Giants. NYG don't know how to utalize a WR. He could be consistantly good if he played for a team who can utalize a WR. Giants best receiever in their history is Amani Toomer, and he is Average at best. Averaged 4 TD's a season with 700 yards and 50 catches in his 13 years. Cruz was 3rd in recieving yards, 6th in TD's, 9th in receptions this season. He's just another fast player with bad hands.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be interesting to see what he does next year compared to this year, he is a great player, hopefully for you Giant fans not a one hit wonder
ReplyDeleteTrue, but Cruz did break Toomer's single season receiving record this year. And he has a tie for the longest passing play in NFL history at 99 yards. I think with Eli (can't believe I am saying this) will allow him to become a great.
ReplyDeleteI think Cruz is going to be a solid performer day in and day out. He plays very well in the slot and makes up for their loss in Steve Smith. He also has the homerun factor like Nicks which makes them dangerous. Hopefully it continues well after this season.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are speaking as Giants fans. Take a step back and speak as a NFL Football fan. Just look at the history. There are plenty of recievers who have had 1 or 2 Great seasons. There is a player most of you have never heard of. His name is David Boston, He had more hype around him than Victor Cruz because of his 2001 season, almost identical numbers to Cruz. Wait 2 or 3 years before you call Cruz the next big thing. He was only top 5 in the league in some of his stats and not top 5 in others.
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