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Nicks more likely to be resigned than Cruz? (1 Viewer)

Rotoworld:

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports unsigned restricted free agent Victor Cruz will not be in attendance at minicamp this week.
Long-term contract talks are reportedly moving "incredibly slowly." A week from Monday, the Giants will have the option to slash Cruz's RFA tender from $2.879 million to the fourth-year veteran's minimum of $630,000. We wouldn't expect the team to do that, but deadlines tend to spur action. Eli Manning has said that he does expect receiver Hakeem Nicks to be at camp on Tuesday.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter
 
Giants coach Tom Coughlin expressed frustration Tuesday with unsigned RFA Victor Cruz's absence from the entire offseason program.
We understand Coughlin's point of view, but it wouldn't be in Cruz's best interest to risk injury when he doesn't even have a contract. "The clock is running," Coughlin said. "This is something that at least he could’ve benefited by, if nothing else, this minicamp. But you have to realize that there is no contract at this time. So without a contract he’s not going to be here."

this is like the 3rd time this same update has come out in 2 or 3 weeks, if TC wants his player there then get him paid
 
So, where does he go next year?

He has just removed all his bargaining power with the Giants for this year. Doubt then he'll take a hometown discount next year, if they won't pay market value this year (at least VCruz' perception of his market value) why would they next year when Victor has all the power on his side?

 
So, where does he go next year?

He has just removed all his bargaining power with the Giants for this year. Doubt then he'll take a hometown discount next year, if they won't pay market value this year (at least VCruz' perception of his market value) why would they next year when Victor has all the power on his side?
This was always going to happen. Cruz didn't have pull and can't walk away from 2 million dollars. I don't think this makes him any less likely to re-sign next year.

 
Giants coach Tom Coughlin expressed frustration Tuesday with unsigned RFA Victor Cruz's absence from the entire offseason program.
We understand Coughlin's point of view, but it wouldn't be in Cruz's best interest to risk injury when he doesn't even have a contract. "The clock is running," Coughlin said. "This is something that at least he could’ve benefited by, if nothing else, this minicamp. But you have to realize that there is no contract at this time. So without a contract he’s not going to be here."

this is like the 3rd time this same update has come out in 2 or 3 weeks, if TC wants his player there then get him paid
A better question for Jerry Reese than Coughlin.

 
So, where does he go next year?

He has just removed all his bargaining power with the Giants for this year. Doubt then he'll take a hometown discount next year, if they won't pay market value this year (at least VCruz' perception of his market value) why would they next year when Victor has all the power on his side?
This was always going to happen. Cruz didn't have pull and can't walk away from 2 million dollars. I don't think this makes him any less likely to re-sign next year.
"He intends to sign his 1st-round restricted free agent tender of $2.879M"

 
" A week from Monday, the Giants will have the option to slash Cruz's RFA tender from $2.879 million to the fourth-year veteran's minimum of $630,000."

 
So, where does he go next year?

He has just removed all his bargaining power with the Giants for this year. Doubt then he'll take a hometown discount next year, if they won't pay market value this year (at least VCruz' perception of his market value) why would they next year when Victor has all the power on his side?
This was always going to happen. Cruz didn't have pull and can't walk away from 2 million dollars. I don't think this makes him any less likely to re-sign next year.
"He intends to sign his 1st-round restricted free agent tender of $2.879M"
Right. That is what I said. He was always likely to sign it.

 
" A week from Monday, the Giants will have the option to slash Cruz's RFA tender from $2.879 million to the fourth-year veteran's minimum of $630,000."
It's a little upsetting that they haven't reached a deal yet. That said according to the Rotoworld article the talks will continue in hopes of getting something done before training camp starts. That said I still agree that signing Nicks right now would be more of interest to the Giants for this season. He is going to come at a massive discount because of his injury history. If he stays healthy this season and ends up posting like 1400yds and 12 TDs they won't be able to afford him next year. Cruz's price isn't going to raise or lower based on this years production. Even if they are okay with giving him the 8mil a year he wants, that will be the same price for next season and I really don't see many teams if any being willing to give him that type of contract. If any of them thought he was worth that they'd think he was worth the 1st round pick this year.

 
So, where does he go next year?

He has just removed all his bargaining power with the Giants for this year. Doubt then he'll take a hometown discount next year, if they won't pay market value this year (at least VCruz' perception of his market value) why would they next year when Victor has all the power on his side?
the player has very little bargaining power here anyways. This is the best thing to do, sign the tender and continue talking up a contract

 
" A week from Monday, the Giants will have the option to slash Cruz's RFA tender from $2.879 million to the fourth-year veteran's minimum of $630,000."
It's a little upsetting that they haven't reached a deal yet. That said according to the Rotoworld article the talks will continue in hopes of getting something done before training camp starts. That said I still agree that signing Nicks right now would be more of interest to the Giants for this season. He is going to come at a massive discount because of his injury history. If he stays healthy this season and ends up posting like 1400yds and 12 TDs they won't be able to afford him next year. Cruz's price isn't going to raise or lower based on this years production. Even if they are okay with giving him the 8mil a year he wants, that will be the same price for next season and I really don't see many teams if any being willing to give him that type of contract. If any of them thought he was worth that they'd think he was worth the 1st round pick this year.
I think Cruz' asking price will increase with another good season under his belt, but he won't get it from the Giants. We'll have to see next off season whether he'll get it from someone else. As from the moment he signs his tender he has got to be resigned to working elsewhere next year. Maybe he'll go to the Jets, they seem to need a quality WR (in addition to a QB and a new HC etc.)

 
" A week from Monday, the Giants will have the option to slash Cruz's RFA tender from $2.879 million to the fourth-year veteran's minimum of $630,000."
It's a little upsetting that they haven't reached a deal yet. That said according to the Rotoworld article the talks will continue in hopes of getting something done before training camp starts. That said I still agree that signing Nicks right now would be more of interest to the Giants for this season. He is going to come at a massive discount because of his injury history. If he stays healthy this season and ends up posting like 1400yds and 12 TDs they won't be able to afford him next year. Cruz's price isn't going to raise or lower based on this years production. Even if they are okay with giving him the 8mil a year he wants, that will be the same price for next season and I really don't see many teams if any being willing to give him that type of contract. If any of them thought he was worth that they'd think he was worth the 1st round pick this year.
I think Cruz' asking price will increase with another good season under his belt, but he won't get it from the Giants. We'll have to see next off season whether he'll get it from someone else. As from the moment he signs his tender he has got to be resigned to working elsewhere next year. Maybe he'll go to the Jets, they seem to need a quality WR (in addition to a QB and a new HC etc.)
Nicks is working on his last season on his rookie deal, so Reese has his work cut out for him.

 
Consensus here is that they can get both signed but only if they get Cruz for their price. THey realize that both Wr's aer going to be among the top paid at their position (Cruz being a slot receiver).If they can only get one signed it seems like it will be Nicks. THough, I must add that Randle si the big wildcard here. If he has a big year it might make Reese's job a lot easier.I will update everyone as the season goes on.

 
Per reports I have seen Cruz and the Giants will continue to work on a long term deal

It will be interesting to see how Ruben Randle progresses this year. I hope he turns into a productive WR that can take over for Nicks because I have a feeling that Nicks wants to play in Charlotte (his hometown)

 
Consensus here is that they can get both signed but only if they get Cruz for their price. THey realize that both Wr's aer going to be among the top paid at their position (Cruz being a slot receiver).If they can only get one signed it seems like it will be Nicks. THough, I must add that Randle si the big wildcard here. If he has a big year it might make Reese's job a lot easier.I will update everyone as the season goes on.
The biggest obstacle facing the Giants re-signing Cruz to a huge contract is that they've had great luck (skill) in finding slot receivers (Smith and Cruz). Why put that money into Cruz if they think they can find his replacement cheaply in the draft?

 
Rotoworld:

Because Victor Cruz is now under contract with the Giants, he would lose an accrued NFL year toward unrestricted free agency if he failed to report to training camp by August 6.
With his RFA tender signed, failing to show at least 30 days before the September 5 NFL opener would cost Cruz a year of credit. And he'd be a restricted free agent again next offseason. ESPN's Ed Werder reported on NFL Live Friday that long-term extension talks between the Giants and Cruz will resume next week. We fully anticipate Cruz will report by August 6, if not before.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports
 
Rotoworld:

A source with knowledge of the situation tells Profootballtalk that Victor Cruz could still hold out of training camp despite signing his one-year, $2.879 million restricted free agent tender Friday.
Cruz is under contract, so he'll be subject to $30,000 per day in fines if he doesn’t report to camp. He made the decision to sign his RFA tender now, rather than risk the Giants rescinding his one-year offer to the veteran minimum of $630,000. Per USA Today's Mike Garafolo, the sides "aren't any closer" on a long-term deal.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports
 
Consensus here is that they can get both signed but only if they get Cruz for their price. THey realize that both Wr's aer going to be among the top paid at their position (Cruz being a slot receiver).If they can only get one signed it seems like it will be Nicks. THough, I must add that Randle si the big wildcard here. If he has a big year it might make Reese's job a lot easier.I will update everyone as the season goes on.
The biggest obstacle facing the Giants re-signing Cruz to a huge contract is that they've had great luck (skill) in finding slot receivers (Smith and Cruz). Why put that money into Cruz if they think they can find his replacement cheaply in the draft?
Couold be they feel Jernigan could take over the role if Cruz leaves. With Nicks and Randle would the Giants be able to spread the ball around enough to make 3 really good WRs happy anyway?

 
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Rotoworld:

The New York Daily News passes along "word" that Victor Cruz will settle for no less than $9 million annually on a long-term contract offer.
Cruz was initially seeking $11 million annually. He's dropped his price tag some, but the Giants have yet to meet the $9 million-per-season price. Per the NY Daily News, the club's latest offer is worth an average of more than $8 million a year. Beat writer Ralph Vacchiano does acknowledge Cruz "seems unlikely" to hold out of training camp after signing his one-year, $2.879 million tender.

Source: New York Daily News
 
If cruz thinks he's worth 9 million a year and he signed a tender for three million this year, then a deal of 6 years 48 million would be the 8 million a year that the giants want to pay, and it would be the 5 year 45 million dollar deal that cruz thinks he can get next year on the open market plus the three he would play for this season.

Seeing as how welker just got 8 million a year, its not a bad deal. Front load some of the money and guarantee a bunch, maybe go a milllion or two over and call it 6 years 50, and everyboy should be happy.

 
bostonfred said:
If cruz thinks he's worth 9 million a year and he signed a tender for three million this year, then a deal of 6 years 48 million would be the 8 million a year that the giants want to pay, and it would be the 5 year 45 million dollar deal that cruz thinks he can get next year on the open market plus the three he would play for this season.Seeing as how welker just got 8 million a year, its not a bad deal. Front load some of the money and guarantee a bunch, maybe go a milllion or two over and call it 6 years 50, and everyboy should be happy.
Problem is they have to also sign Nicks, JPP and Linval Joseph next off-season (or maybe it's over the next two years).

But some cap room could open up since, Tuck, Rolle and Webster probably will be released after the season.

 
Consensus here is that they can get both signed but only if they get Cruz for their price. THey realize that both Wr's aer going to be among the top paid at their position (Cruz being a slot receiver). If they can only get one signed it seems like it will be Nicks. THough, I must add that Randle si the big wildcard here. If he has a big year it might make Reese's job a lot easier. I will update everyone as the season goes on.
The biggest obstacle facing the Giants re-signing Cruz to a huge contract is that they've had great luck (skill) in finding slot receivers (Smith and Cruz). Why put that money into Cruz if they think they can find his replacement cheaply in the draft?
Very good point, I agree. Probably easier to replace Cruz than Nicks.

 
Consensus here is that they can get both signed but only if they get Cruz for their price. THey realize that both Wr's aer going to be among the top paid at their position (Cruz being a slot receiver). If they can only get one signed it seems like it will be Nicks. THough, I must add that Randle si the big wildcard here. If he has a big year it might make Reese's job a lot easier. I will update everyone as the season goes on.
The biggest obstacle facing the Giants re-signing Cruz to a huge contract is that they've had great luck (skill) in finding slot receivers (Smith and Cruz). Why put that money into Cruz if they think they can find his replacement cheaply in the draft?
Couold be they feel Jernigan could take over the role if Cruz leaves. With Nicks and Randle would the Giants be able to spread the ball around enough to make 3 really good WRs happy anyway?
I agree with your point about the emergence of Randle and it being difficult to make all three happy. I'm not so sure Jernigan is the replacement. Folks are pretty down on him here. But, taking into consideration your point about Randle, maybe they feel like jernigan would be sufficient if Randle really turns it on.

 
Consensus here is that they can get both signed but only if they get Cruz for their price. THey realize that both Wr's aer going to be among the top paid at their position (Cruz being a slot receiver). If they can only get one signed it seems like it will be Nicks. THough, I must add that Randle si the big wildcard here. If he has a big year it might make Reese's job a lot easier. I will update everyone as the season goes on.
The biggest obstacle facing the Giants re-signing Cruz to a huge contract is that they've had great luck (skill) in finding slot receivers (Smith and Cruz). Why put that money into Cruz if they think they can find his replacement cheaply in the draft?
Couold be they feel Jernigan could take over the role if Cruz leaves. With Nicks and Randle would the Giants be able to spread the ball around enough to make 3 really good WRs happy anyway?
I agree with your point about the emergence of Randle and it being difficult to make all three happy. I'm not so sure Jernigan is the replacement. Folks are pretty down on him here. But, taking into consideration your point about Randle, maybe they feel like jernigan would be sufficient if Randle really turns it on.
Yeah, I really don't foresee them signing Cruz at this stage of the game. They'll let him shop next season, if he gets the 9 million a year he wants from another team they'll let him walk. Say what you will about Eli but he seems to make a lot out of nothing with these guys. Smith, Manningham, Ballard, Boss. All of these guys were stars on the Giants that left for money and did nothing after they left. I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happens with Bennett this year. I'm not going to compare him to Peyton as Peyton he is not. But his brother had a similar way about him, where he just made the players around him into all stars when a lot of them were average-above average talents at best. I think a lot of the GMs and coaches around the NFL are starting to catch onto this fact. I just don't see Cruz getting the contract he wants from any team in the NFL. And if he does, the Giants will find someone to plug in who is perfectly effective. I think Randle will get a lot of field time this year because the Giants need to see what they have in him. It will be incredibly relevant to next year when Nicks is a RFA and Cruz is a UFA. If Randle has a breakout season they can reliably let one of them go and sign the cheaper one and right now I think that's their plans.

 
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" A week from Monday, the Giants will have the option to slash Cruz's RFA tender from $2.879 million to the fourth-year veteran's minimum of $630,000."
It's a little upsetting that they haven't reached a deal yet. That said according to the Rotoworld article the talks will continue in hopes of getting something done before training camp starts. That said I still agree that signing Nicks right now would be more of interest to the Giants for this season. He is going to come at a massive discount because of his injury history. If he stays healthy this season and ends up posting like 1400yds and 12 TDs they won't be able to afford him next year. Cruz's price isn't going to raise or lower based on this years production. Even if they are okay with giving him the 8mil a year he wants, that will be the same price for next season and I really don't see many teams if any being willing to give him that type of contract. If any of them thought he was worth that they'd think he was worth the 1st round pick this year.
I think Cruz' asking price will increase with another good season under his belt, but he won't get it from the Giants. We'll have to see next off season whether he'll get it from someone else. As from the moment he signs his tender he has got to be resigned to working elsewhere next year. Maybe he'll go to the Jets, they seem to need a quality WR (in addition to a QB and a new HC etc.)
Wow, blow my mind. A Proper use of resigned. Didn't think this board could do it. :thumbup:

 
Rotoworld:

ESPN's Chris Mortensen would be "shocked" if the Giants and Victor Cruz fail to reach a long-term agreement before the start of training camp, and believes a deal could be hammered out within the "next 10 days."
Mort made the disclosure on NFL32. He expects Cruz to accept somewhere in the neighborhood of $8-$9 million annually, though he didn't make a prediction on the amount of guaranteed money. Cruz is reportedly seeking between $15-18 million guaranteed. It's not an unrealistic request.
 
Rotoworld:

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reiterated on NFL Live that the Giants are very confident Victor Cruz will sign a long-term contract before training camp.
Mortensen stated on NFL 32 last week that he'd be "shocked" if no deal was in place before camp, and an agreement could go down within the "next ten days." Mort took it a step further Monday. "Everybody I’ve spoken to expects that deal to absolutely get done," he said. "To a 100 percent degree of certainty, that Victor Cruz will have a new contract by the time the Giants open training camp." It sounds like negotiations are hot and heavy. Cruz is believed to be seeking $15-18 million guaranteed and around $9 million per year.
 
The Giants have been around forever and been horrible at WR. Imagine owning a franchise in the NFL for 60 years and Amani Toomer holds your receiving records. They appreciate Cruz and Nicks. If they can figure out a way to afford both, they surely will.

A lot of young WRs get hurt as they transition to the NFL, then somehow they figure out how to stay healthy and proceed favorably the rest of their career. Nicks is an awesome talent and 25 years old. He has the potential to be the top wideout in the league one year and if he never achieves that, he seems very likely to often be a very good WR. I fully expect Nicks to retire owning all Giants receiving records.

Cruz has a very different style of playing WR than Nicks and they compliment each other oh so well. I don't think Cruz' ceiling is as high as Nicks' but he is a sweet WR that I'm sure they'd love to hang onto.

 
According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen, the parameters of Victor Cruz's new long-term contract with the Giants are in place.
There are a few "remaining details" to be hammered out, including "contract language." But sources tell Mortensen that "no obstacles are expected." We could have an official announcement by the end of the week, making Cruz a very rich man as he enters his third season on the active roster. The former undrafted free agent played out last season for just $540,000.


Source: ESPN.com
 
Food for thought: Is Victor Cruz worth it?

By Dan Graziano | ESPN.com

So by now you've no doubt heard, seen or read Chris Mortensen's report that Victor Cruz and the New York Giants will have their long-term contract done before training camp, which starts in 24 days. This is a load off the minds of the Giants, who want Cruz locked up and in camp, and of Giants fans, who abhor discord when it comes to their favorite team. Everybody signed, happy and in camp is what the Giants and their fans want. They'd ask for healthy, too, if they could, but Jason Pierre-Paul and Henry Hynoski have already thrown a pair of wrenches into those particular works.

Anyway, since it appears as though Cruz is a long-term Giant now, ESPN's Stats & Info blog has a post that looks a bit deeper into his game and his numbers. And while Cruz has obviously been an incredibly productive receiver for the Giants over the past two years, the post points out a few things he could stand to improve. Among them are holding on to the ball (he had nine drops last season), becoming a more reliable deep threat and, perhaps most startlingly, producing more after contact:

Along with being targeted closer to the line of scrimmage, Cruz struggled to create yards after contact, a helpful skill in the slot.

Of the nine Giants with at least 10 targets, Cruz finished last on the team in yards gained after contact per reception. He averaged 0.7 yards after contact per reception, which tied for 37th in the NFL last season among 44 receivers with 100 targets.

That's not good. And it doesn't seem right, does it? Yards after catch was Cruz's big thing in his breakout 2011 season, right? Just ask the Jets, who are 6-12 since they were up four points with 2:12 to go in the first half on Christmas Eve 2011 when Cruz caught the ball deep in his own territory and raced for a season-swinging 99-yard touchdown. Cruz's 595 yards after the catch in 2011 ranked sixth in the league, and his average yards after the catch per reception was 7.26. Yards after catch isn't the exact same thing as yards after contact, but the numbers do show that Cruz did much less after he caught the ball in 2012 than he did in 2011. He was 36th in the league with 332 yards after the catch in 2012 and averaged 3.86 yards after the catch per reception.

The point is not that Cruz is a bad player or unworthy of the contract he's apparently getting. The point is that he's 26 years old, with only two full NFL seasons in the books, and just like anyone else about whom those things are true, he has things on which he can improve. Cruz's exposure so far to fellow star wideout Hakeem Nicks and quarterback Eli Manning, both of whom are film-room rats and obsessive technicians, has been beneficial. And continued exposure to them will offer him the opportunity to hone his craft and flourish in his slot receiver role to the point that his next contract could make this one look puny. The question, as it is with any player on any team in any sport who gets his first big payday, is whether Cruz will understand and appreciate that he's not a finished product just because he's being paid like a star. Everything I know about the guy says he will. But it appears we'll all find out together.
 
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Faust I know you're pasting...Of the nine Giants with at least 10 targets, Cruz finished last on the team in yards gained after contact per reception. He averaged 0.7 yards after contact per reception, which tied for 37th in the NFL last season among 44 receivers with 100 targets.

I don't think those stats are accurate. Maybe someone else feels the same

 
The biggest (purposeful?) mistake in that article is that yards gained after contact per reception is not the same as yards gained after catch. So they're knocking him for low scores in one statistic while saying during his breakout campaign he was known for another statistic. Makes no sense unless you aren't reading closely.

 
Faust I know you're pasting...Of the nine Giants with at least 10 targets, Cruz finished last on the team in yards gained after contact per reception. He averaged 0.7 yards after contact per reception, which tied for 37th in the NFL last season among 44 receivers with 100 targets.

I don't think those stats are accurate. Maybe someone else feels the same
The article was compiled from data collected by the ESPN's Stats & Info blog, and their other article that is linked as follows:

Cruz has room for improvement

By Dan Riccio | ESPN.com

Wide receiver Victor Cruz calmed the nerves of New York Giants fans when he signed a restricted free agent tender this summer and now reports are that he and the Giants will have a deal done before training camp begins.

Though Cruz has performed well the last few seasons, The Giants may be looking for something more from him.

It would be silly to deny Cruz is one of the most productive wideouts in the NFL. He is top ten in receptions, touchdowns and yards since 2011, not to mention he has a championship ring to his name already.

Cruz has a few faults, but the difference between production and efficiency shows that he has left opportunities on the field.

Here are some areas in which there is room for Cruz to get better.

Drops

Cruz had some trouble hanging on to the football last season.

In 2012, Cruz had the most dropped passes and the second-highest drop percentage among Giants with at least 10 targets. Only now-departed tight end Martellus Bennett dropped the ball at a higher rate than Cruz.

In the NFL, Cruz ranked 37th in drop percentage among 44 receivers with 100 targets.

Stretching the Field

With Hakeem Nicks on the roster, Victor Cruz has not needed to be a consistent deep threat.

Nicks led the Giants with an average target depth of 12.4 yards downfield last year. In fact, of the five Giant wide receivers with at least 10 targets, Cruz stretched the field the least with a 10.4-yard average target depth.

Along with being targeted closer to the line of scrimmage, Cruz struggled to create yards after contact, a helpful skill in the slot.

Of the nine Giants with at least 10 targets, Cruz finished last on the team in yards gained after contact per reception. He averaged 0.7 yards after contact per reception which tied for 37th in the NFL last season among 44 receivers with 100 targets.

Looking ahead

Cruz struggled down the stretch last season, with 88 combined yards in the final three games, the worst stretch of his career

The Giants traveled a similar road in 2011 with Steve Smith. Like Cruz, Smith was a Pro Bowl receiver that won a ring in New York. He eventually signed a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Eagles where he caught just 11 passes in 2011, struggled with injuries, and retired from professional football after spending 2012 with the St. Louis Rams.

The Giants appear to have elected to stick it out with Cruz. We'll see if this proves to be a smart decision.
 
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Rotoworld:

Giants agreed to terms with WR Victor Cruz on a six-year, $45.879 million contract.

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports the deal contains $15.6 million guaranteed. Per our contract database, Cruz is now the NFL's 17th-highest-paid wide receiver in annual average ($7.65 million). The G-Men have Cruz under control through his age-31 season, and he'll be able to hit free agency in 2019. It's a great deal for the Giants, who balked at paying Cruz's initial demands of close to $10 million per year. Cruz emerged as the NFL's premier speed-slot receiver in 2011, finishing as the No. 4 fantasy wideout. He ranked 13th in 2012 and is locked in as a high-end WR2 entering the 2013 campaign.



Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter
 
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Victor Cruz, New York Giants agree to contract

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League Editor

Victor Cruz and the New York Giants have been "close" on a contract for a while. It looks like "close" will turn to "done" in short order.

NFL.com's Aditi Kinkhabwala reported Monday that Cruz and the New York Giants have agreed on a long-term contract. Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, who first had the news, reports that Cruz will earn $43 million on a five-year extension that will be added to his current one-year, $2.879 million restricted tender. That would make the entire deal a six-year, $45.879 million contract.

Kinkhabwala reports that the Giants have not changed their offer to Cruz since he signed his tender. Kinkhabwala reports it is the same offer that's been on table since Cruz signed the tender back on June 14.

The same person told Kinkhabwala the deal has been close for a while, they were just waiting for Cruz's signature. Kinkhabwala reported back in June that Cruz indicated he was nearly ready to sign. Cruz wanted to avoid a season in limbo after possibly playing cautious late last season.

The contract is a win-win for both sides. The extension can be advertised a worth $8.6 million annually by Cruz's agent, which puts him knocking on the door of a top 10 receiver. In reality, the entire six-year deal is a team friendly contract worth under $8 million-per-year.

Most importantly, Cruz gets long-term financial security that is hard to find for an undrafted player that mainly lines up in the slot. He eliminates much of the risk of a value-changing injury in 2013. And the Giants get a great starter at what could be seen as a No. 2 wide receiver price, while they eye an even bigger deal with Hakeem Nicks next year.

If they can't come to terms with Nicks, the franchise tag should be an option. The Giants have done a nice job surrounding Eli Manning with top-shelf talent, and that doesn't figure to change anytime soon.
 
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Steal for the Giants. Reminds me of the Wallace situation, up to the signing. One held out and got 40% more than the original team offered. The other accepted a - in my opinion - low market, team friendly deal.

 
Rotoworld:

Contract-year WR Hakeem Nicks has sounded "very lukewarm" about re-signing with the Giants since preliminary extension talks broke off.
Per the NY Daily News, initial talks between the Giants and Nicks' agent "went nowhere." The G-Men have now committed $7.65 million annually to Victor Cruz, making 2013 a make-or-break season for injury-prone Nicks in New York. Franchise tagging Nicks in 2014 would cost roughly $11 million. And the Giants have promising 22-year-old Rueben Randle waiting in the wings.


Source: New York Daily News
 
Rotoworld:

Contract-year WR Hakeem Nicks has sounded "very lukewarm" about re-signing with the Giants since preliminary extension talks broke off.
Per the NY Daily News, initial talks between the Giants and Nicks' agent "went nowhere." The G-Men have now committed $7.65 million annually to Victor Cruz, making 2013 a make-or-break season for injury-prone Nicks in New York. Franchise tagging Nicks in 2014 would cost roughly $11 million. And the Giants have promising 22-year-old Rueben Randle waiting in the wings.


Source: New York Daily News
I think that the Giants are going to have to either break the bank or use the franchise tag to keep Nicks.

I really think he wants to return home to Charlotte and play for the Panthers

 
Rotoworld:

Contract-year WR Hakeem Nicks has sounded "very lukewarm" about re-signing with the Giants since preliminary extension talks broke off.
Per the NY Daily News, initial talks between the Giants and Nicks' agent "went nowhere." The G-Men have now committed $7.65 million annually to Victor Cruz, making 2013 a make-or-break season for injury-prone Nicks in New York. Franchise tagging Nicks in 2014 would cost roughly $11 million. And the Giants have promising 22-year-old Rueben Randle waiting in the wings.


Source: New York Daily News
I think that the Giants are going to have to either break the bank or use the franchise tag to keep Nicks.

I really think he wants to return home to Charlotte and play for the Panthers
Baring a truely top WR performance from Nicks this yr, I'm sure the 1st round tender tag will keep him there.

 
Baring a truely top WR performance from Nicks this yr, I'm sure the 1st round tender tag will keep him there.
Isn't he an unrestricted free agent next year? He's been in the league for 5 years now.
The Giants, though, will also have to address the contract extension of Hakeem Nicks, the former first-round pick at wide receiver, whose five-year deal expires at the end of this season.

 
First of all, great deal by the Giants - very little risk with $7.8M/year for the next two years.

It makes things interesting with Nicks since there's more pressure on him to sign a lower offer. The Giants can franchise him, something a guy with Nicks' injury history would like to avoid. If Nicks gets franchised that's about an average of $7M/year he'll be getting the next two years.

 
Rotoworld:

Contract-year WR Hakeem Nicks has sounded "very lukewarm" about re-signing with the Giants since preliminary extension talks broke off.
Per the NY Daily News, initial talks between the Giants and Nicks' agent "went nowhere." The G-Men have now committed $7.65 million annually to Victor Cruz, making 2013 a make-or-break season for injury-prone Nicks in New York. Franchise tagging Nicks in 2014 would cost roughly $11 million. And the Giants have promising 22-year-old Rueben Randle waiting in the wings.


Source: New York Daily News
I think that the Giants are going to have to either break the bank or use the franchise tag to keep Nicks.

I really think he wants to return home to Charlotte and play for the Panthers
It's in Nicks' best interest to sign a deal now with the Giants rather than play for $3M this year. The Giants have him relatively cheap the next two years and while he'll only be 27 in 2015 as a FA who knows what injuries he'll have between now and then.

 
Rotoworld:

A source with knowledge of the situation tells Profootballtalk the Giants "aren't talking" about a contract extension with Hakeem Nicks.
The Giants could slap Nicks with the franchise tag if he has a great 2013 season, but otherwise he looks headed to the free agent market in 2014. The Giants could promote Rueben Randle into the starting lineup at X receiver for a fraction of the price. Victor Cruz is already locked up long term. For his part, Nicks has looked quite a bit smoother and more explosive in Sunday night's opener than he did at any point during the preseason.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports
 

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