Dynasty: Victor Cruz (1 Viewer)

[Concept Coop]

Can anyone compare Cruz's NFL game to another player? Is he as smooth and good route runner as Greg Jennings (similar size at least)? Not seeing a lot of NYG games, it would help to have a comparison on his strengths and weaknesses as player and how he went from undrafted to fighting his way into this discussion.

I don't feel really good saying this. But, the first name that comes to mind is Chad Johnson/Ochocinco.

 

[Concept Coop]

I think Cruz is solid, but I can see the hesitation. If you watched the postseason, Nicks was a monster. Cruz played very well in the 4 games, but Nicks averaged 7-111-1TD. Even though it is the postseason, 4 games is a 1/4 season and a decent sample size.The only thing that worries me about Cruz is the long TDs. Not in terms of saying he wasn't good, but he had 9TDs and 5 of them were 68-99 yards. In terms of the top WRs, it is rare to find someone who isn't a red zone threat. Yes, there is AJ, but is Cruz that talented? The rest of the top WRs are red-zone threats. Its kind of like Jamal Charles if Hillis steals all the goal line TD attempts. It means Charles has to score from outside and while he can, a few lucky tackles and he is out of the top 5.Again, those 5 catches accounted for 33% of his total fantasy points in non-PPR. In PPR, it is not so bad, but still 25%. That scares me a bit, especially for a guy who could easily end up with just a handful of TDs. With Nicks and what we have seen so far, you can at least not worry as much about the TD production even if both are healthy.I don't think I would touch Cruz unless he falls to an area where I am picking among more PPR scoring type guys, where I think Cruz will still do well. A lot of very good points in this thread, but I think those long TDs really represent a risk unless Cruz turns into even more of a PPR monster getting closer to 100 catches.

These long TDs equally apply to Mike Wallace, Julio Jones, AJ Green and many more. Why are we removing them from Cruz, but not the others? Especially when Cruz was just as consistent in hitting the homerun? Cruz is dangerous in space. He is quick enough to make one guy miss and fast enough to trot into the end zone after doing so. His homeruns weren't flukes. I do agree that there is some concern in Cruz not being an ideal red zone threat. That does cap his ceiling somewhat, but I think we should keep that in perspective. He has plenty of upside, as he has showed.

First of all, I never said remove them. I just said it scares me that 5 of his 9 TDs were from 68+ yards. Those aren't long TDs, those are extremely long TDs. You mentioned Wallace and Green. Wallace has 24 TDs in his career and only 2 are from 68+ yards. He has 11 TDs from 40-60 yards, which to me are normal long TDs for a big armed QB like Roethlisberger. Green had 7 TDs last year with the longest of 43. 4 of his 7 were from 36-43 yards, again right around where I would expect them to be for a QB of Dalton who doesn't quite have Roethlisberger's arm. Heck, he just caught a 50 yard TD in last week's preseason game.So, Wallace and Green's long TDs are usually in the 36-60 yard range. That tells me that Cruz's 5 of 9 from 68, 72, 74, 74 and 99 are a bit beyond the normal long TD. Also, for Wallace and Green, they aren't what I would consider TD machines, yet, but out of their combined 31 TDs, 8 of them were inside the red zone and only 1 of Cruz's 9 TDs last year was.That is what worries me a bit, that so much of his damage was from those extremely long TDs. Sure he has potential, but I can see where it is a risk. What if defenses key on him more, enough to make sure they move coverage around to avoid the homeruns? Out of 185 career TDs for Manning over 8 years, Cruz had 5 of the top 10 distance TDs (all in 2011) and one of the 10 was a Jacobs screen pass. I'm sorry, but even if he has potential, you cannot say that Eli to Cruz for 5 68+ yard TDs is likely every year.

It doesn't matter if Cruz made the catch at his own 20, or the opponents 40, once he is in open field, and makes you miss, he can take it to the house. I don't anticipate 5 more 60+ hard TDs next season, but that doesn't mean I excpet fewer TDs in general, either.

 

[OnTheReg]

Can I say this is just an AWESOME thread so far. Great analysis all around guys!

 

[One More Rep]

I see him as at least top 10 in Dynasty, his route running is top notch. I am buying where ever I can

 

[identikit]

Can anyone compare Cruz's NFL game to another player? Is he as smooth and good route runner as Greg Jennings (similar size at least)? Not seeing a lot of NYG games, it would help to have a comparison on his strengths and weaknesses as player and how he went from undrafted to fighting his way into this discussion.

I don't feel really good saying this. But, the first name that comes to mind is Chad Johnson/Ochocinco.

85 doesn't run good routes at all, really.

 

[Concept Coop]

Can anyone compare Cruz's NFL game to another player? Is he as smooth and good route runner as Greg Jennings (similar size at least)? Not seeing a lot of NYG games, it would help to have a comparison on his strengths and weaknesses as player and how he went from undrafted to fighting his way into this discussion.

I don't feel really good saying this. But, the first name that comes to mind is Chad Johnson/Ochocinco.

85 doesn't run good routes at all, really.

Fair enough. Both are very quick in the open field and fast enough to be a big play threat, despite not being physically imposing. Who's your comparison?

 

[identikit]

Can anyone compare Cruz's NFL game to another player? Is he as smooth and good route runner as Greg Jennings (similar size at least)? Not seeing a lot of NYG games, it would help to have a comparison on his strengths and weaknesses as player and how he went from undrafted to fighting his way into this discussion.

I don't feel really good saying this. But, the first name that comes to mind is Chad Johnson/Ochocinco.

85 doesn't run good routes at all, really.

Fair enough. Both are very quick in the open field and fast enough to be a big play threat, despite not being physically imposing. Who's your comparison?

He's always reminded me of Miles Austin, without the injury risk (so far).

 

[Zeff]

Can anyone compare Cruz's NFL game to another player? Is he as smooth and good route runner as Greg Jennings (similar size at least)? Not seeing a lot of NYG games, it would help to have a comparison on his strengths and weaknesses as player and how he went from undrafted to fighting his way into this discussion.

I don't feel really good saying this. But, the first name that comes to mind is Chad Johnson/Ochocinco.

85 doesn't run good routes at all, really.

Fair enough. Both are very quick in the open field and fast enough to be a big play threat, despite not being physically imposing. Who's your comparison?

Isaac Bruce.

 

[identikit]

Can anyone compare Cruz's NFL game to another player? Is he as smooth and good route runner as Greg Jennings (similar size at least)? Not seeing a lot of NYG games, it would help to have a comparison on his strengths and weaknesses as player and how he went from undrafted to fighting his way into this discussion.

I don't feel really good saying this. But, the first name that comes to mind is Chad Johnson/Ochocinco.

85 doesn't run good routes at all, really.

Fair enough. Both are very quick in the open field and fast enough to be a big play threat, despite not being physically imposing. Who's your comparison?

Isaac Bruce.

That's a pretty good one, too.

 

[Concept Coop]

I wasn't this serious about football until Bruce was well past his prime.

I don't really see Austin when I watch Cruz, though. I think Miles relies on his size and strength more than Cruz - and Cruz his quickness more than Miles. Their situations are very similar, however.

 

[identikit]

I wasn't this serious about football until Bruce was well past his prime. I don't really see Austin when I watch Cruz, though. I think Miles relies on his size and strength more than Cruz - and Cruz his quickness more than Miles. Their situations are very similar, however.

I'd agree with this, pretty much. Miles using his strength; Cruz uses finesse..

 

[Concept Coop]

I wasn't this serious about football until Bruce was well past his prime. I don't really see Austin when I watch Cruz, though. I think Miles relies on his size and strength more than Cruz - and Cruz his quickness more than Miles. Their situations are very similar, however.

I'd agree with this, pretty much. Miles using his strength; Cruz uses finesse..

I think I have it: Steve Smith, Wes Welker, Ochocinco, rolled into one, minus some speed, plus some size. Hear me out:The way he adjusts to and fights for the ball in the air, and the fact that he plays bigger than he is - Steve Smith. His ability to get open in tight space, his route running ability - Wes Welker.What he does after catching the ball - Ochocinco. Maybe?

 

[Funkley]

His size, speed, deep threat ability remind me of Wesley Walker.