A Christmas wish list for New York Giants fans

4. Health

Oct 12, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants wide receiver

(80) is helped off the field after an injury against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants led the league in players placed on injured reserve this year, and it’s directly contributed to the team’s lackluster performance. No, no one on the Giants shot their eye out with a Red Rider BB Gun, but the injuries have piled up nonetheless.

The two biggest injuries were to offensive captain Victor Cruz and emerging defensive back Prince Amukamara. Jon Beason, Trumaine McBride, Walter Thurmond III, Peyton Hillis, Michael Cox, Robert Ayers and Mathias Kiwanuka are some other names that had their season ended.

The Giants have to get healthy in order to compete in the NFC East next year. The injuries proved to be too much for the Giants to overcome this year. During the preseason, the Giants secondary was viewed as one of their strengths, but by week 12 the unit was a huge liability. Jon Beason‘s injury also hurt the team tremendously. Last year Beason helped transform the defense from subpar to the eighth ranked. The unit definitely misses his presence.

I view Cruz’s return as the most important, as his presence is invaluable to the offense, as well as the team as a whole. When Cruz went down with his torn patellar tendon, I didn’t think the offense would be able to bounce back. If Odell Beckham Jr. wasn’t in the middle of a record-breaking rookie year, I think the offense would’ve faltered entirely.

The good news is that Amukamara should recover 100% from his injury (torn bicep) and be ready for minicamp. Amukara was having the best year of his young career, and he’s quietly developing into one of the better corners in the NFL.

Seeing Victor Cruz healthy and on the field with Odell Beckham Jr. would make me fall in love, actually.

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