wiscstlatlmia
Footballguy
having a huge night with some very impressive catches ...thoughts on dynasty value or if hes even making that squad?
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victor cruz? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter wiscstlatlmia
- Start date
Tickle Monster
Footballguy
I know that he's not even on MFL.
footballsavvy
Footballguy
Nothing not to like. Can't do much more with the opportunities given to him. Grab him and see where it goes form here. Maybe nowhere, but at least you don't have pay anything for him.
ChitownPone
Footballguy
Kid has moves, and makes moves before the ball is even thrown to him. I like him.
wiscstlatlmia
Footballguy
hes deffinately got a long way to go on this team...but i think i like his chances more if he gets dropped ...maybe the rams could pick him up haha
Crash Davis
Footballguy
I was listening to WFAN (NY sports talk) on the way home from work today and Mike Francesa had the Giants GM Jerry Reese on. He asked him who was the one player who stood out in camp and has surprised them. He immediately mentioned Cruz. He likened him to Steve Smith in that he runs good routes and has great receiver instincts. He said he couldn't wait to see what he could do against other teams because he'd been wowing everyone in practices. With all of the young and talented WRs on the Giants I kind of blew it off, but then he goes out and tears it up against the Jets backups. Who knows, maybe this guy will catch on at some point.
That's a funny comparison, because watching him play that's all I could think of. His adjustments to the ball in the air are other-wordly... much like Steve Smith (CAR). Got me, but I've watched every single week1 game thus far (well, at least into the 3rd quarter) and there hasn't been anything like the joy and "wow" of watching this guy play. IMO, it'd be a monstrous mistake to not give this guy Barden, Moss, and/or Hagan's spot on the roster.
This was my thought as well, but I'm very after wrong.
This changed overnight, at least for my league.
Holy Schneikes
Footballguy
That first catch was RIDICULOUS. The others not quite as exciting. Still, as others have said, can ask for more than making the most of your opportunities, which he most certainly did.
netnalp
Footballguy
Transcript: Victor Cruz
AUGUST 16, 2010
Q: Did you hear LeBron James tweeted about you?
CRUZ: Did he really? Wow. That's crazy. I didn't hear that.
Q: Is this a little bit more than you could have expected for your first taste of NFL action?
CRUZ: I mean yeah. You never ome into a game thinking you're going to have three touchdowns and all that, but I just wanted to come in, work hard. I've been working hard all camp and just wanted to come in and kind of show what I can do on the main stage.
Q: Do you think you're a lock to make the roster ?
CRUZ: I don't know. I'll leave that up to the coaches and the guys up top. I just come out and just take care of what I've got to do on the field and let all those guys make the decisions.
Q: What's been the biggest adjustment from the beginning of training camp to now?
CRUZ: I would probably say just the speed of the game-just trying to run my routes fast and crisp because it's definitely a lot
quicker pace. DB's on you are a lot faster so I just wanted to up my game speed a little bit so I could adjust to the speed of the
game.
Q: Could you take us through the first touchdown catch?
CRUZ: My first touchdown catch I made a move to go outside and he threw it up and I'm running for it. I didn't think I was going to get it because the DB was right on me, but the ball came down and I kind of stuck my hand out late and it stuck and I just tucked it in and ran.
Q: Did you notice you cupped his head as well?
CRUZ: Did I really? I didn't even notice that at all. I was focused on the ball, caught it, tried to get out of the tackle and just ran into the end zone.
Q: Talk about your transition from college to here.
CRUZ: The transition from college is a lot different. There's a lot more attention to detail. The playbook is a lot thicker so you have to get in your playbook a lot more and be mentally sharp. If you're mentally sharp, then the physical should kind of take care of itself.
Q: Have most of the reps in practice been with Eli (Manning)?
CRUZ: I've had a few reps with Eli, but most of them have been with Jim (Sorgi) and Rhett (Bomar) most of the time. So me and Jim and Rhett kind of have a good rapport, and me and Eli talk all the time too. So I have a good rapport with all of the quarterbacks.
Q: After the touchdown did you tell Sorgi 'Keep feeding me the ball?'
CRUZ: No. I didn't say anything. He kind of came up to me and said 'Keep making plays and I'll keep throwing you the ball.'
Q: What does it mean to you to play for the Giants?
CRUZ: It means a lot. It's definitely a surreal feeling to even be up on this podium talking to you guys. It's just growing up watching the Giants, seeing that blue all my life and things like that. I feel like I'm dreaming right now.
Q: Were there any jitters?
CRUZ: Definitely. There's always jitters before every game. I had the butterflies. I come out, and I see all the lights and everybody. Everybody is cheering and definitely-you always get the butterflies. But once the ball is kicked off and I got a chance to touch that field, I felt good.
Q: Did you have family and friends here tonight?
CRUZ: Yeah. My mother was here, my little sister and my high school coach was here and a bunch of guys.
Q: In terms of making this roster, what do you think this game means?
CRUZ: Obviously I hope it means a lot. I got a chance to just show what I can do and just show that I'm a pretty good player. I just want to come out and just hopefully make the team. All I can do is just leave it up to the coaches and the guys up top and they make the decision.
Q: How many times have you made that one-handed catch?
CRUZ: In games? Probably only once other than today. I had a few in practice and some in college, but nothing like that today.
Q: Coach has been raving about you up until this point. What does it do for your confidence?
CRUZ: It kind of boosts my confidence a little bit, but I've got to just stay humble, stay grounded and just stay on the right path because nothing is guaranteed in this league. So I've just got to keep grinding, keep putting the work in throughout my entire career. Hopefully I can have a long career and just keep putting in the groundwork and everything will kind of take care of itself.
Q: After you make a catch like that, obviously you know you have the talent, but does that put you on the map a little bit in your mind as well?
CRUZ: A little bit. When you make catches like that, and it was kind of shocking when I caught it, but you just kind of think about it 'wow, if I can make plays against this talent then who knows what the future holds?' Again, you've just got to keep grinding, keep putting the groundwork in and everything else will just take care itself.
Q: What's the name of your high school coach?
CRUZ: Coach Benjie Windels (?)
Q: What kind of game had you hoped?
CRUZ: I was just hoping to go out and make my blocks. During practice I was just trying to hopefully stay on my blocks and make sure I gave the running back two ways to go because during practice I was kind of doing it to one side, and coach was telling me 'Stay square, stay square.' So that was my main thing and I just wanted to hopefully catch everything that was thrown my way.
Q: Did you talk to your old college teammate (Jets OL Vladimir) Ducasse (from UMass)?
CRUZ: Yeah. I spoke to him right after the game. I asked him how he was doing. He said it's been a little bit of an adjustment, but we're in the same boat. Obviously he was drafted, but it's always an adjustment going from college to the NFL. But he's doing good. He looks healthy so that's good.
Q: A week ago you said 'the Jets play in our stadium.' Did you hear a lot of smack talk today?
CRUZ: Yeah. I got a little bit of riff about that. I knew I said it, but I didn't mean it in terms of downplaying them or anything like that. They're a good team. They're a solid team and everything like that. I've been definitely getting a lot of grief about that, but we do share the stadium and I have a lot of respect for coach Ryan and the whole Jets program.
Q: Who's been an inspiration to you in your life?
CRUZ: Growing up, my dad definitely. He was a fireman. He worked for the Fire Department for over 30 years. He taught me how to play football so he was definitely a good inspiration in my life until he passed about three years ago.
Q: Did he play football?
CRUZ: No. He played football but not at the major level at the pro level or anything like that. He played just growing up as a child. He didn't go to college and play anywhere like that.
Q: Where did he grow up?
CRUZ: He grew up in Patterson, New Jersey.
Q: Was there a certain firehouse he was at?
CRUZ: He was at Riverside Firehouse.
Q: It's one thing to do it in the NFL but also in your backyard.
CRUZ: Like I said, it was a surreal feeling and I'm sure my phone is going crazy right now. So I mean it's just a great feeling just to do it at home in front of friends and family.
AUGUST 16, 2010
Q: Did you hear LeBron James tweeted about you?
CRUZ: Did he really? Wow. That's crazy. I didn't hear that.
Q: Is this a little bit more than you could have expected for your first taste of NFL action?
CRUZ: I mean yeah. You never ome into a game thinking you're going to have three touchdowns and all that, but I just wanted to come in, work hard. I've been working hard all camp and just wanted to come in and kind of show what I can do on the main stage.
Q: Do you think you're a lock to make the roster ?
CRUZ: I don't know. I'll leave that up to the coaches and the guys up top. I just come out and just take care of what I've got to do on the field and let all those guys make the decisions.
Q: What's been the biggest adjustment from the beginning of training camp to now?
CRUZ: I would probably say just the speed of the game-just trying to run my routes fast and crisp because it's definitely a lot
quicker pace. DB's on you are a lot faster so I just wanted to up my game speed a little bit so I could adjust to the speed of the
game.
Q: Could you take us through the first touchdown catch?
CRUZ: My first touchdown catch I made a move to go outside and he threw it up and I'm running for it. I didn't think I was going to get it because the DB was right on me, but the ball came down and I kind of stuck my hand out late and it stuck and I just tucked it in and ran.
Q: Did you notice you cupped his head as well?
CRUZ: Did I really? I didn't even notice that at all. I was focused on the ball, caught it, tried to get out of the tackle and just ran into the end zone.
Q: Talk about your transition from college to here.
CRUZ: The transition from college is a lot different. There's a lot more attention to detail. The playbook is a lot thicker so you have to get in your playbook a lot more and be mentally sharp. If you're mentally sharp, then the physical should kind of take care of itself.
Q: Have most of the reps in practice been with Eli (Manning)?
CRUZ: I've had a few reps with Eli, but most of them have been with Jim (Sorgi) and Rhett (Bomar) most of the time. So me and Jim and Rhett kind of have a good rapport, and me and Eli talk all the time too. So I have a good rapport with all of the quarterbacks.
Q: After the touchdown did you tell Sorgi 'Keep feeding me the ball?'
CRUZ: No. I didn't say anything. He kind of came up to me and said 'Keep making plays and I'll keep throwing you the ball.'
Q: What does it mean to you to play for the Giants?
CRUZ: It means a lot. It's definitely a surreal feeling to even be up on this podium talking to you guys. It's just growing up watching the Giants, seeing that blue all my life and things like that. I feel like I'm dreaming right now.
Q: Were there any jitters?
CRUZ: Definitely. There's always jitters before every game. I had the butterflies. I come out, and I see all the lights and everybody. Everybody is cheering and definitely-you always get the butterflies. But once the ball is kicked off and I got a chance to touch that field, I felt good.
Q: Did you have family and friends here tonight?
CRUZ: Yeah. My mother was here, my little sister and my high school coach was here and a bunch of guys.
Q: In terms of making this roster, what do you think this game means?
CRUZ: Obviously I hope it means a lot. I got a chance to just show what I can do and just show that I'm a pretty good player. I just want to come out and just hopefully make the team. All I can do is just leave it up to the coaches and the guys up top and they make the decision.
Q: How many times have you made that one-handed catch?
CRUZ: In games? Probably only once other than today. I had a few in practice and some in college, but nothing like that today.
Q: Coach has been raving about you up until this point. What does it do for your confidence?
CRUZ: It kind of boosts my confidence a little bit, but I've got to just stay humble, stay grounded and just stay on the right path because nothing is guaranteed in this league. So I've just got to keep grinding, keep putting the work in throughout my entire career. Hopefully I can have a long career and just keep putting in the groundwork and everything will kind of take care of itself.
Q: After you make a catch like that, obviously you know you have the talent, but does that put you on the map a little bit in your mind as well?
CRUZ: A little bit. When you make catches like that, and it was kind of shocking when I caught it, but you just kind of think about it 'wow, if I can make plays against this talent then who knows what the future holds?' Again, you've just got to keep grinding, keep putting the groundwork in and everything else will just take care itself.
Q: What's the name of your high school coach?
CRUZ: Coach Benjie Windels (?)
Q: What kind of game had you hoped?
CRUZ: I was just hoping to go out and make my blocks. During practice I was just trying to hopefully stay on my blocks and make sure I gave the running back two ways to go because during practice I was kind of doing it to one side, and coach was telling me 'Stay square, stay square.' So that was my main thing and I just wanted to hopefully catch everything that was thrown my way.
Q: Did you talk to your old college teammate (Jets OL Vladimir) Ducasse (from UMass)?
CRUZ: Yeah. I spoke to him right after the game. I asked him how he was doing. He said it's been a little bit of an adjustment, but we're in the same boat. Obviously he was drafted, but it's always an adjustment going from college to the NFL. But he's doing good. He looks healthy so that's good.
Q: A week ago you said 'the Jets play in our stadium.' Did you hear a lot of smack talk today?
CRUZ: Yeah. I got a little bit of riff about that. I knew I said it, but I didn't mean it in terms of downplaying them or anything like that. They're a good team. They're a solid team and everything like that. I've been definitely getting a lot of grief about that, but we do share the stadium and I have a lot of respect for coach Ryan and the whole Jets program.
Q: Who's been an inspiration to you in your life?
CRUZ: Growing up, my dad definitely. He was a fireman. He worked for the Fire Department for over 30 years. He taught me how to play football so he was definitely a good inspiration in my life until he passed about three years ago.
Q: Did he play football?
CRUZ: No. He played football but not at the major level at the pro level or anything like that. He played just growing up as a child. He didn't go to college and play anywhere like that.
Q: Where did he grow up?
CRUZ: He grew up in Patterson, New Jersey.
Q: Was there a certain firehouse he was at?
CRUZ: He was at Riverside Firehouse.
Q: It's one thing to do it in the NFL but also in your backyard.
CRUZ: Like I said, it was a surreal feeling and I'm sure my phone is going crazy right now. So I mean it's just a great feeling just to do it at home in front of friends and family.
Another incredible WR scouting/drafting by Reese...Although, I will tell you, I'll really be impressed when he actually moves a couple of these guys. They have needs in other places (LB, CB, OL (injecting youth at least)), so why a guy like Manningham, Barden or even Steve Smith have not been moved yet is almost odd to me. Has to be wasteful when 4 of your top 15 best players are all at one position.
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Casting Couch
Footballguy
I don't see either Manningham or Barden as anything other than WR 3 and 4 material. To move Steve Smith so Barden or Monningham could start,would be a huge mistake imo. Steve Smith led the league in pass receptions last season and is still getting better.Having said that, Reese has done a great job, but he still has some deadweight at the position, ie Sin Moss and Hagan.Overall I think NYG has one of the deepest WR groups in the league, and Reese along with the scouting staff deserves all the credit.
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Mystery Achiever
Footballguy
Ah, so that's how he found out. What's this from? Heard a great interview with him on WFAN today and they asked him bout that, too. Most common response "It's crazy!". Very likable. Favorite all-time Giant is Toomer. Favorite receiver is Boldin; thinks they have similar styles.
netnalp
Footballguy
No way the Giants move Smith, he is a good match with Nicks. Why is CB a need? the Giants have 3 CBs that would start for most teams. LT Beatty has a good cahnce of getting into the starting lineup, rookie G Mitch Petrus is having a good camp, but may need a couple years to develop, about when Diehl or Snee will be getting old or maybe he gets time at center. With O'Hara and McKenzie getting old, the team needs to look for their eventual replacement, but they'll do that through the draft. The trade value of the WRs you mentioned wouldn't get them a player that would be any better than Beatty or Petrus for the Oline and the LB they could get would be more of what the team already has with Sintim, Goff, Dillard, Wilkinson, and Bullock was a FA and didn't cost a trade.
loose circuits
Footballguy
anyone seen any trades involving Cruz? I want to get him on my roster, but am probably already overpaying. Was interested in what market value is? I think the sky is the limit, but the floor is almost limitless as well so it's tough to gauge
Yitbos69
Footballguy
Cruz for J Starks/2011 2nd
I think your best bet would be to wait a little while let the preseason hype die down and get him for nothing in a month. He isn't going to play at all this year unless the Giants Wr get really banged up. Also you have two preseason game left I wouldn't overpay for a guy who hasn't showed anything against a CB who is even going to make the team yet. If he was doing this against even the 3rd CB on any team I might agree but so far he beat up your future mailman and did average against the gas attendant.
wiscstlatlmia
Footballguy
tom coughlin begs to differ...
loose circuits
Footballguy
that's a mighty steep price.I was thinking Mike Williams (TB) for 1st/Cruz or something like that...maybe better off waiting till the hype cools off
THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA
Footballguy
Cruz for Starks and a 2012 2nd. i also traded Cruz for a 2011 2nd. Offered a 2nd for him in leagues as i feel he is worth about that from what i saw, but was rejected in many leagues for the 2nd expect for the one league i sent Starks and a 2012 2nd for him.
THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA
Footballguy
Also for those who saw this past game how did he look?
wiscstlatlmia
Footballguy
Rec:2 Yards: 30 Targets 3....didnt see the game but thats a decent stat line
THE UNDERCOVER BROTHA
Footballguy
I think if they tried to cut and stash Cruz he would get scooped up by another team real quick, like the Chargers or someone for sure
Yitbos69
Footballguy
yeah it was a 2012 2nd not 2011
Avery
Footballguy
Barden's already not healthy with some "structural" issues with his back.Cruz has been a nice surprise but no way the Giants get rid of their WR3 because Hagen and Cruz have looked good in camp.
Maroney=Speed
Footballguy
So this guy is a rookie, correct?
He looked like a player in that 3 TD game.
He looked like a player in that 3 TD game.
MAC_32
Footballguy
Do you still think Manningham is a potential long term solution? I don't, which is why I think they'd deal him if they got a good offer. He might add a little short term stability, but I say that very loosely because his bouts with consistency are why I don't think he'll ever be anymore than depth. He has big play making potential, but his constant battles with drops, sideline awareness, route running, and overall mental abilties is a problem.
Avery
Footballguy
Everything you criticize about his game is true therefore his trade value is not much.Maybe he's not a long term starter for the Giants but that doesn't make him a valuable player for them right now. He has much more value to the Giants as a WR3 and a WR2 if needed then the mid to late round pick they might get in return.
loose circuits
Footballguy
Gave up Josh Morgan and a 5th, got Cruz and a 3rd. Not bad...Morgan wasn't gonna start for me anyways. Cruz' upside seems worth it based off what I saw from him
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Casting Couch
Footballguy
You stole Victor Cruz. Nice trade. This kid is a great stash if you have the room.
wiscstlatlmia
Footballguy
another solid performance from victor last night 4 rec 76 yards 1 tds
...
...
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Carolina Hustler
Footballguy
Dynasty league stash guy... Maybe next year, but some things would really have to change in order for Cruz to get enough catches to be worth playing... This team is absolutely stacked at the WR position. Someone would have to be injured or traded for Cruz to see time.. Maybe Cruz gets traded..? Who knows..
You'll have to be willing to invest a roster spot for a couple years but this kid certainly looks the part.
You'll have to be willing to invest a roster spot for a couple years but this kid certainly looks the part.
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I have just not understood how the Giants have not moved one of these guys yet. With Smith, Nicks, Manningham, Barden, Moss and Cruz (plus they had a guy I was watching on a replay on NFL network today...maybe Vaughn...he looked good too...guy with dreds), they are stacked beyond belief, but have some holes on their roster. Camarillo can be a nice target for Favre, but I am extremely curious as to why they either did not get involved in a trade or if so, why it did not happen (personally, I would take manningham or barden over camarillo). Thing is, no one will pay for Barden or Cruz...they are going to want one of the top three. Manningham, then, will be the most likely to be moved IMO.
netnalp
Footballguy
They'd at best get a 6th round pick for Manningham, and the Giants have plenty of those types as backups. There's no benefit to moving Manningham. Barden, Cruz and Hagan are not consistent enough to make Manningham expendable. It would make more sense to question why the Packers haven't tried to move Jordy Nelson.
loose circuits
Footballguy
With Sinorice's injury and Barden's back issues, Cruz will likely find himself on the roster and I don't think he's as far away as some are predicting. We'll see. Usually the cream rises to the top and this guy has similar skills to Hakeem Nicks from what I've seen, granted it was against lesser competition.
Should be an interesting thing to watch throughout the earlier part of the season. UMass should have had an a great passing offense with Jeremy Horne and Victor Cruz last season. Not sure if they did or not, but both of these guys have NFL talent
Should be an interesting thing to watch throughout the earlier part of the season. UMass should have had an a great passing offense with Jeremy Horne and Victor Cruz last season. Not sure if they did or not, but both of these guys have NFL talent
wiscstlatlmia
Footballguy
http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/s...setts-minutementhey were productive but none else was....loose circuits said:
wiscstlatlmia
Footballguy
Well folks he made the roster ...Where do you guys think he stands on the depth chart? I am thinking hes pushing manningham for the 3rd spot right now.
Avery
Footballguy
You're thinking wrong.Cruz and Calhoun made the final roster in a large part due to their special teams play. Cruz was a pleasant camp surprise but you're getting way ahead of yourself here. If Barden doesn't get healthy, Cruz might move up to #4 on the depth chart.
wiscstlatlmia
Footballguy
Cruz has already shown way more potential than Barden has ever shown.They gotta get that kid out there and at least see what he can do this year... I see a rotation of those three guys until one of them emerges which, I think cruz will do...
Avery
Footballguy
No. Not really.Barden looked very good in camp last year, just as Cruz did this year, plus he has tremendous size which brings another element to the game. Barden came out a small school and everybody knew he would be a project. Look, I like Cruz and he was a very pleasant surprise in camp but just because he looks good in practice and against 3rd and 4th string CBs doesn't mean that "they gotta get that kid out there."
Long term? I can see him having at shot at the WR3 gig for, assuming there is a cap again in the future, I don't think the Giants will be able to afford to keep Manningham around as a WR3. Having said that, you're getting way ahead of yourself. Smith, Nicks and Manningham are entrenched as WR1-3. Reynaud (who Coughlin just said will not split time at RB and will only work with the WRs) will be playing because of his PR/KR skills. Therefore the only thing Cruz is competing for right now is with Calhoun and perhaps Barden to be active on game day.
Stealthycat
Footballguy
Avery - what did you say about no-name longshots like QB's Warner and Romo, RB's like Willie Parker, no name WR's like Colston and Austin?
undrafted, small school guys making big plays all the time in practice and preseason games can absolutely flow over onto the big stage - you're downplaying what Cruz has done, arent you?
undrafted, small school guys making big plays all the time in practice and preseason games can absolutely flow over onto the big stage - you're downplaying what Cruz has done, arent you?
