Tag: Victor Cruz

Eli Manning: Giants need to stick with, build around Daniel Jones

Eli Manning says the New York Giants need to stick with Daniel Jones as their long-term starter and continue building around him.

Late last week, Victor Cruz expressed his belief that the New York Giants need to move on from quarterback Daniel Jones and tear things down offensively.

Cruz’s commentary was met with applause from a large portion of the Giants fanbase but that same enthusiasm was not expressed when Eli Manning offered up his two cents on Wednesday.

Contrary to Cruz, Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, says the Giants need to stick with Jones as their long-term quarterback to continue building around him.

“They saw Daniel Jones, they were around him. They had him for a year and they trusted that, ‘Hey, this is a kid that has a bunch of upside,'” Manning said on the Marchand & Ourand Sports Media Podcast. “He’s still in the first year of the offense, played extremely well. He can run, he’s tough. He can make the throws. Just unfortunately, this was a tough year with injuries. . . And so, I think you still got to trust your quarterback.

“He’s going to come back, he’s going to be healthy. He works hard. He’s a great teammate. He does all the intangible things really, really well, and I think they got to trust him, can put some guys, get help around them and continue to grow with these teams. I think when you sign your key guys to contracts, Saquon (Barkley), Dexter Lawrence, Daniel . . . you put these guys, you keep adding guys around them and you don’t just say, hey, switch it up right away because you have one bad year.”

Jones had a breakout campaign under first-year head coach Brian Daboll in 2022, leading the Giants to their first playoff win since Super Bowl XLVI.

But that success was left behind when the NFL calendar flipped. Jones struggled here in 2023 before landing on season-ending injured reserve (IR) due to a torn ACL.

Of course, DJ was far from alone as the entire offense (and team) took a major step back. They are currently in the midst of one of their worst seasons in franchise history and are on pace to set several all-time marks for futility.

Headed for a top pick in the 2024 NFL draft, the Giants have been heavily scouting the nation’s top quarterbacks. However, multiple recent reports suggest that Jones will be back next season and will likely reassume his role under center.

H/T: New York Post.

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Victor Cruz says it’s time for Giants to rebuild again, send Daniel Jones packing

Two months after saying the Giants had Super Bowl potential with Daniel Jones, Victor Cruz now says it’s time to move on and rebuild again.

Retired New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, like many, is tired of watching his former team flounder. And after yet another lost season, he believes it’s time to tear things down and start again — especially offensively.

“In my opinion, I think we’ve got to go get a new quarterback,” Cruz said during an appearance on The Carton Show. “I think we’ve got to go and do the entire rebuild, re-franchise. It’s something just isn’t sitting right with this team.”

That’s a far cry from what Cruz was saying just a few short months ago. He had been praising Jones and saying the team needed to lock him up long-term because they had Super Bowl-winning potential with DJ under center.

Pressed on an entire rebuild, Cruz immediately walked back his comments and said that head coach Brian Daboll should remain.

“I think Daboll stays. I don’t think Daboll is the problem,” Cruz said. “I think those guys rally around him; I think they love him.”

Cruz continued and suggested the offense needs a complete and total overhaul from top to bottom. He feels it’s time for general manager Joe Schoen and Daboll to bring in and sign their own guys.

The problem with that notion is that Schoen and Daboll have signed and brought in their own guys. They decided to sign Jones to a four-year, $160 million contract — DJ didn’t force their hand.

While Cruz is correct in that the Giants need a complete offensive rebuild, blaming the quarterback for personnel decisions is a weak stance. It’s fair to be critical of Jones and his play, but his place under center was solidified by no one other than Schoen and Daboll.

If you’re in the DJ stinks camp and believe his contract was a waste, that blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the GM-coach duo.

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Photos: 2023 Ryder Cup All-Star Match featuring Novak Djokovic, Gareth Bale and more celebrities

Check out some of the best photos from the matches here.

The 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome gets underway Friday morning with four foursomes matches, the first going off at 1:35 a.m. ET — good luck to everyone setting that alarm.

On Wednesday, however, it was time for the celebrities to battle it out.

Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin are the two captains, and including them, there are six players on each team. On Team Montgomerie are Gareth Bale (football —or soccer to the Americans  — legend), Garrett Hilbert (Dude Perfect member), Leonardo Fioravanti (Italian surfer), Novak Djokovic (tennis legend) and Kipp Popert.

Team Pavin consists of Andriy Shevchenko (former football professional), Kathryn Newton (American actress, best known for her role as Cassie Lang in Marvel’s Antman series), Victor Cruz (American football legend), Carlos Sainz (F1 driver) and Tomasso Perrino.

Check out some of the best photos from the 2023 Ryder Cup All-Star Match below.

Victor Cruz believes Giants could win Super Bowl

Victor Cruz believes the New York Giants could recreate some 2011 magic and potentially even win the Super Bowl.

Retired New York Giants All-Pro wide receiver Victor Cruz believes his ex-team is ready to challenge for the Super Bowl.

Cruz, a member of the Giants’ Super XLVI championship club, stated that he believes the mixture of veterans and young players is what makes teams championship caliber and the Giants have that mix.

This bold revelation came earlier this week when Cruz appeared on Up & Adams with Kay Adams.

“Whenever the Giants fly under the radar (and) when you build and construct a team that is balanced between veteran leadership and youth that can get it done, (that will) elevate this team,” Cruz said. “I think the Giants, in their own way, can recreate some of that (2011) magic.”

Cruz was an explosive player when he played and had some positive things to say about the team’s latest version at wideout, rookie Jalin Hyatt. He believes Hyatt can be the weapon that unlocks a potentially dynamic offense.

If that were to happen and the Giants were able to take some pressure off of quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley, the sky is the limit.

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Victor Cruz: New York still belongs to Giants, not Jets

Retired New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz says The Big Apple still belongs to Big Blue, not Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.

Throughout the summer, the New York Giants have been overshadowed by the hype surrounding the New York Jets.

Following Gang Green’s acquisition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Jets have seemingly taken over New York. Or at least they have dominated the back pages and have drawn the most national attention.

But does that mean New York is now a Jets town? Retired Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz certainly doesn’t think so.

Cruz appeared at the Giants’ facility this week to support his former teammate Prince Amukamara, who signed a one-day contract to retire a Giant. While there, Cruz was asked about the Jets overtaking the Giants in New York by adding Rodgers.

“He just brings the Jets to a little bit more relevancy than they’ve had in the past; we’ll leave it at that,” Cruz told the New York Post.

“I think the Giants are rooted too deeply around these parts. I think these couple of Super Bowl trophies, you see ’em here in the past 15, 20 years kind of say something, so … we’ll see how it unfolds with Aaron Rodgers at the helm these next couple of years.

“But this’ll be a Giants town forever.”

With Super Bowl hype surrounding the Jets, there has been a lot less talk about the Giants, whose roster is heavily improved roster thanks to general manager Joe Schoen.

Cruz, of course, made a name for himself in the 2010 preseason against the Jets. He was a key component in the Giants’ most recent Super Bowl run as the team’s leading receiver. His infamous 99-yard touchdown against the Jets on Christmas Eve in 2011 is etched in the memories of both Giants and Jets fans forever.

His comments come ahead of the 2023 preseason finale, where the two teams will square off at MetLife Stadium and Aaron Rodgers’ debut is expected.

The two teams will meet again in Week 8 of the regular season.

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Roger Lewis Jr. warns Giants against pre-playoff yacht party

Ex-New York Giants WR Roger Lewis Jr., who was in the famous 2016 boat photo, urges current players not to make the same mistakes they did.

The New York Giants punched their NFC Playoff ticket on Sunday, defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 38-10, at MetLife Stadium.

For the Giants, it will be their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Fans may vividly remember that 2016 playoff run because of the controversy leading up to it and the controversy in its aftermath.

The week prior to taking on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, several Giants players, including wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Roger Lewis Jr., joined rapper Trey Songz and several others for a yacht cruise in Miami.

A picture from the cruise leaked online, went viral and gained infamy. Many believe it also placed a curse on the franchise as they endured a half-decade of misery after the leak.

That “curse” began with a 38-13 drubbing at the hands of Green Bay followed by Odell punching a hole in the Lambeau Field wall.

Following Sunday’s win over the Colts, Lewis Jr. tweeted out the picture with a warning to current Giants players: Don’t repeat history.

Although Lewis’ tweet was tongue-in-cheek, it does exemplify the dark shadow that moment cast over those players and the team. Cruz once admitted that it will haunt him for the rest of his life.

You can bet that Brian Daboll’s crew won’t make the same mistake Ben McAdoo’s crew did. Whether or not that will lead to a wildcard victory remains to be seen.

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Victor Cruz: Giants need to ‘lock Daniel Jones in long-term’

Victor Cruz believes the New York Giants need to sign QB Daniel Jones long-term before his price increases.

Former New York Giants All-Pro wide receiver Victor Cruz believes he has seen enough from quarterback Daniel Jones this season to warrant a long-term contract from Big Blue.

In an interview with FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams, Cruz said he believes if they act now, they can get Jones at a reasonable price rather than wait until after the season.

Jones has shown marked improvement across the board as a passer, rusher and a leader this season even with many of his main playmakers taking turns on the injury list and report.

Jones was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7.

Much of Jones’ success is due to his reduction in turnovers. This season, Jones has thrown just two interceptions and lost two fumbles (one on a hail mary attempt) in eight games.

“That’s what we’re trying to do: trying to eliminate turnovers,” said head coach Brin Daboll. “He touches the ball on every play. There’s a wide variety of reasons to turn the ball over, and I think that his decision-making process has been very good. We need to continue to improve on that. He’s kept two hands on the ball in the pocket.

“Again, sometimes, they’re just going to make a really good play on defense. I think he’s practiced with good habits. It’s something you’ve got to work on each week because each week is a different challenge.”

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Victor Cruz: Cowboys an ideal landing spot for Odell Beckham Jr.

Former New York Giants WR Victor Cruz believes the Dallas Cowboys are an ideal fit for Odell Beckham Jr. when he’s ready to return.

Former New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. remains a free agent as he recovers from a torn ACL, which was suffered during the Super Bowl in February.

Lately, rumors have been swirling about Beckham, his desired destination and a potential return to Big Blue.

Victor Cruz, a former teammate of Beckham, has made a career for himself in the media following his retirement from football, and he recently weighed in on OBJ and where he might end up.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjVrKdkjWlk/

“The best landing spot, I think, for Odell is two places. One, Green Bay,” Cruz said. “The second team, I think, is the Dallas Cowboys. It pains me to say that.”

Certainly, a landing spot like Green Bay would excite Beckham as Aaron Rodgers would be the best quarterback he’s played with. The Packers also undoubtedly need help at the wide receiver position.

If Beckham ended up with the Cowboys, Giants fans would struggle seeing OBJ with a star on his helmet.

Although Beckham to New York rumors continue to swirl, many believe OBJ would prefer a contender. Those teams would include the Packers, Buffalo Bills or even a return to the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

But another former Giant, Bennie Fowler, continues to believe New York has a chance.

Meanwhile, Von Miller continues to spend his time recruiting Beckham to Buffalo.

Buffalo might be the best fit for Beckham if he’s going after another Super Bowl — the Bills are arguably the best team in the league. Beckham would be a great complimentary receiver next to the other weapons on the Buffalo offense.

Although there are plenty of Giants fans who would love to see Beckham back in blue, there are likely just as many who want nothing to do with a reunion. But Cruz’s suggestion of the Cowboys being a fit for OBJ is a scary one to say the least.

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Victor Cruz: Giants’ Daniel Jones ‘has all the tools’ to be successful

Victor Cruz believes Daniel Jones has all the tools to be successful and will ultimately turn out to be “the guy” for the New York Giants.

Former New York Giants Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Victor Cruz, says he has confidence in Giants’ fourth-year quarterback Daniel Jones as he enters the “most important year of his life.”

“I think he will be (the guy),” Cruz told TMZ Sports. “I think he has all the tools to do so and I think the Giants put a good enough team around him to see what they got.”

More from TMZ:

Jones hasn’t had the best training camp so far — he’s missed throws in practice, and in the team’s first preseason game on Thursday night, he completed just six of 10 passes for 69 yards.

Cruz, though, says the G-men just have to ride it out with Jones this year — and see what the 25-year-old has ultimately got to give them.

As ardent followers and documentarians of Big Blue, we all are aware that Jones is ‘singing for his supper’ this season. He must play well in order for the Giants to consider anointing him their franchise quarterback after this season.

If Jones falters again, he will be allowed to seek the next chapter of his career as an unrestricted free agent. The Giants could very well bid for his services there which could end up being a bargain but in all likelihood he’s pretty much done here should he log in another unimpressive campaign.

Cruz added that should that happen, Jones may not get another shot at being a starter in the NFL.

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Giants great Eli Manning: Tiki Barber ‘saved me’ early in my career

New York Giants legend Eli Manning picked his personal all-time lineup and in the process, admitted that Tiki Barber saved him early on.

New York Giants greats Eli Manning and Tiki Barber have a complicated history. Their relationship has had many peaks and valleys, and fans are intimately familiar with how things played out in 2006.

Midway through the season, Barber announced his intent to retire. That didn’t sit well with many, including Manning himself. And following Barber’s retirement, things only got worse when he made critical comments about Manning and then-head coach Tom Coughlin.

Over the years, Barber has apologized and thrown his support behind Manning in the Hall of Fame debate. And now, Manning is acknowledging that Barber saved his career early on.

“Tiki, he saved me early on in my career,” Manning told Cam Newton during a recent episode of Funky Friday. “And probably made me look better than I was at certain times and in certain games. He was a heck of a running back.”

When asked to pick his all-time Giants lineup — an ideal offense to complete a game-winning 80-yard drive — Manning also named Barber. His 11-personnel team broke down as follows:

  • WR1: Plaxico Burress
  • WR2: Odell Beckham Jr.
  • Slot: Victor Cruz
  • TE: Kevin Boss
  • RB: Tiki Barber

“That’s heavy,” Newton said of Manning’s choices at receiver. “That’s venomous.”

Newton wasn’t nearly as impressed with Manning’s choice at tight end, letting about an immediate “what?!”

“(Jeremy) Shockey was there for a little bit, but he was kind of all over the place,” Manning said. “So, Kevin for the two-minute drive.”

Drilling things down even further, Newton asked Manning who his most cerebral teammate was — which guy he essentially shared a brain with. Manning answer wasn’t surprising.

“Victor Cruz. We put a lot on his plate,” Manning explained. “He’s the one who just kind of took… When we gave a guy maybe 2-3 options he took it and would say, ‘hey, I can handle all six of them.'”

Great stuff from Eli as usual.

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