The NY Giants have granted wideout Victor Cruz his release. The slot receiver crashed on to the scene his rookie season in New York. Most know him for his Salsa Dancing in the end zone. Will he bring his dancing shoes to Buffalo?
Cruz is entering his age-30 season, after missing major chunks of the last two years. A once scary opponent out of the slot, Cruz has slowly disappeared in the Giants system. In his last 30 starts (out of 35 games), he has only six touchdowns.
If he were willing to accept $1.5 million per year on a two year contract, it would be worth bringing him in. The Buffalo receiver group could certainly use the help and having a slot receiver with Cruz's success would be well worth the money. Unfortunately, he will likely wait things out. Given his situation, if he is on a NFL team week one, his contract becomes fully guaranteed for the year, which with his injury history is a bit of a concern. The Buffalo Bills worked around that issue with Jerome Felton, who was released prior to week one and brought back afterward, this avoiding any guarantees.
Truth be told, Cruz would be an effective role playing receiver wherever he goes, but don't break the bank. This is a player who didn't get seperation by being a great route-running wideout. He was afforded his receptions through mismatches against linebackers and being able to get to top speed very quickly, meaning his was a terror up the seam, quickly getting above the linebackers and below the safeties before they could come downhill on him. Those days are over. Cruz will need to learn to evolve and not solely depend on his quick step as it slowly diminishes.
Cruz is entering his age-30 season, after missing major chunks of the last two years. A once scary opponent out of the slot, Cruz has slowly disappeared in the Giants system. In his last 30 starts (out of 35 games), he has only six touchdowns.
If he were willing to accept $1.5 million per year on a two year contract, it would be worth bringing him in. The Buffalo receiver group could certainly use the help and having a slot receiver with Cruz's success would be well worth the money. Unfortunately, he will likely wait things out. Given his situation, if he is on a NFL team week one, his contract becomes fully guaranteed for the year, which with his injury history is a bit of a concern. The Buffalo Bills worked around that issue with Jerome Felton, who was released prior to week one and brought back afterward, this avoiding any guarantees.
Truth be told, Cruz would be an effective role playing receiver wherever he goes, but don't break the bank. This is a player who didn't get seperation by being a great route-running wideout. He was afforded his receptions through mismatches against linebackers and being able to get to top speed very quickly, meaning his was a terror up the seam, quickly getting above the linebackers and below the safeties before they could come downhill on him. Those days are over. Cruz will need to learn to evolve and not solely depend on his quick step as it slowly diminishes.