Eli Manning Expects Victor Cruz To Be Back With New York Giants
By Mike Dyce
Oct 21, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) reacts as New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) is in the background in the 4th quarter against the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning has been watching free agency closely. One of his favorite targets, wide receiver Victor Cruz, is a restricted free agent. While it remains unlikely that a team would give Cruz an offer sheet it is still a possibility But Eli Manning has developed a reputation of being cool under pressure, and when it comes to the situation with Victor Cruz, he isn’t worried.
He’s been keeping in close contact with Cruz during this stressful time and even planning offseason workouts.
“I’ve been talking to Victor a little bit,” Manning told Boomer and Carton on WFAN in New York, via Sports Radio Interviews. “We’re kind of talking about our planning and when we’re gonna start working out, where we’re going to start throwing and getting ready for this upcoming season. And obviously I hope that he’s with the Giants.”
Planning offseason workouts together seems like a strong indication that both sides believe he’ll be teammates. And Eli wants to make it clear that he thinks Cruz is coming back.
“I do. That’s just what I have to believe and what I want to believe, just because he’s such an important part of our offense. … I think he wants to be in New York, in his hometown, so I hope it all works out.”
Eli Manning also has the highest salary cap hit of any player in the NFL this season, and we’ve seen players from all over the league restructure their deals. But the Giants have not asked Manning to do so.
“No, there’s been no conversations on that matter yet. Who knows if it’ll come up or not, but obviously I’m just kind of waiting on their call if they want to do that or not.”