A situation that continues to get more and more interesting with each passing day, Victor Cruz and the New York Giants remain far apart in reaching a new deal, according to NFL.com.
Cruz exploded onto the scene at the start of the 2011 season and was a key component to the Giants winning their 2nd Super Bowl championship in five seasons. Taking over the slot position vacated by the departed Steve Smith, Cruz became an instant favorite of two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback Eli Manning.
Connecting with Manning 103 times throughout the 2011 regular season and playoffs, the Patterson, New Jersey native amassed over 1,700 yards and reeled in 10 total touchdowns. Not bad for someone whose only serious action before the season came during the 2010 preseason and Giants practices.
Following a Pro Bowl season in 2012 where he earned a base salary of a little over $480,000, Cruz is seeking a deal that would earn him anywhere between $10 and $11 million per season, a big jump from his current six-figure number. As reported by the Daily News two weeks ago, the Giants organization has already offered Cruz a deal that would pay him $7 million annually, and one NFL source reports that contract would also include $20 million in guaranteed money.
The New York Giants are known for standing their ground when it comes to player contracts no matter the player. During this offseason for example, former Giants tight end Martellus Bennett, coming off a career-year in which he caught 55 passes for 626 yards and 5 scores, was seeking a contract that would pay him anywhere between $6 and $8 million per season. While the Giants did express interest in bringing the tight end back, they would only do so on their terms.
Giants General Manager Jerry Reese feels confident in the organizations ability to reload through proper drafting and free agent signing, essentially making each player on the roster expendable IF their asking price is over the top.
Bennett wound up signing a 4-year, $20.4 million deal with the Bears early in the free agent signing period.
While it does not appear the New York Giants and star wide out Victor Cruz are close to a new deal, that does not mean Cruz will depart the organization that gave him his first real opportunity in the NFL. The 26-year-old local product has said numerous times how much he loves playing for his hometown team. Now Giants fans everywhere will just have to sit and wait to see what becomes of this developing situation. In most cases, star players are reluctant to lower their initial asking prices.
Maybe Cruz will break that trend. I'd hate to see his salsa moves dance their way out of the Big Apple but, only time will tell.
Feel Victor Cruz's asking price is too steep? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.
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