Victor Cruz aiming for ‘200 percent,’ Week 1 return; sick of OBJ questions
The Salsa Dance is expected to return Sept. 13 in Dallas.
That’s Week 1, and that’s when Victor Cruz says he’ll be ready to return to action when his New York Giants go on the road to face the Dallas Cowboys in Jerry World. Cruz is coming off a torn Achilles tendon in 2014 that put his healthy return to the field for the start of the 2015 season in doubt.
Cruz, however, has assured his fans that he’ll be back in fine fashion. And on time for the opener.
“Absolutely, there’s not a doubt in my mind I’ll be out there playing,’’ Cruz said, via the New York Post. “Obviously it’s just a matter of getting myself back to 200 percent. As of right now there’s zero doubts in my mind I will be playing in that first game and be playing at a level I’d like to be playing at.’’
And interesting thing happened after Cruz went down in Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles. That’s right when Odell Beckham Jr. took the mantle — not only as the Giants’ best receiver but also one of the best wideouts in the game as a rookie.
Beckham caught two touchdown passes in Week 7 and never looked back, turning in one of the finest shortened seasons ever at the position. So the news that Cruz could be back — or in his words, “will” be back — gives the Giants, in theory, maybe the best 1-2 WR punch in the NFL if Cruz returns close to full strength.
But some advice if you see Cruz out and about: Please don’t ask him about that combo. He’s a bit tired of the question.
“If I get another question somewhere out in the streets about how excited everyone is about myself and Odell I might just jump off a building,” Cruz said with a smile on Thursday.
But yes, he’s excited.
“I’m definitely excited, not just last year watching him do all those great things, but this year to start from the beginning,’’ Cruz said. “He and I have gotten closer over time, us as a receiving corps have gotten closer. I’m excited to get back out there, not just with him but with everyone, feel the pads again, put a helmet back on, but definitely with Odell, to get out there and be on the field where he’s doing good things and Rueben [Randle] is doing good things and myself, it’s just going to be a fun thing to watch.’’
Is Cruz worried that Beckham has taken over the role as Eli Manning’s favorite target?
“I want to be same go-to guy,” Cruz said. “I just want to be a guy who catches everything Eli Manning throws my way and score as many touchdowns as possible. That’s all.”
And the good news is that he has felt as good now as he has since his surgery, and Cruz is doing what he can to participate in the Giants’ offseason program to get ready for Week 1. Which, in case you forgot, is a 200 percent surety. Can we get odds on that?
– – – – – – –
Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Eric_Edholm
