The more he is doing individuals and isn't a full go during practices the more obvious it is he really might never play again. I feel like he's one wrong cut or low hit away from retirement. He is one of the most dynamic Giants WRs I've ever had the pleasure to watch so Im hoping I'm wrong but the spin he and the team is putting on his return doesn't add up.
Cruz as an UDFA, over achieved....had a skill set he exploited that gave us a couple of magical years.
Much like an Achilles injury, the injury he had really limits ones explosion.
He does not have the tools like a Calvin Johnson. Cruz must be at his best which I feel has passed him by......he was the best slot receiver in the game for a fee years.
Don't get me wrong, I would love seeing Cruz with OBJ, Sterling and whoever elss, Davis?...but father time is not a friend to peak performance.
Long term, obviously. Short term? No way. If they don't expect anything from Cruz and Beckham misses time with a hamstring again then we are putting all this on a rookie and guys who haven't done anything in the NFL? You have to be at least 3 deep at WR in today's NFL. If they aren't counting on Cruz then who are they? Dable? We lost Randle and added Shepard. For this year that is a wash in players and we will probably get slightly more production for Shepard. Who is the third guy? Look at our secondary. We have 2 high priced FA in DRC and Jenkins and then we spent our first round pick on our 3rd corner. If that doesn't show you the importance of that third WR then I don't know what will. Shepard wasn't about replacing Cruz this year. Even if you think that then who is replacing Randle?
Here is our wide receiver production after Odell:
Randle 800 Yards-8TDs
Harris 400-4
White 88-1
Nicks 54-0
Parker 40-0
Davis 21-0
Edwards 9-0
So Randle had twice the production of Harris who was the next highest producing wide receiver, and a huge drop off after him. Randle had more production than all of the other receivers combined behind him.
This is a unit where how they perform will have a big impact on how the team does this season. I think if you asked most fans if they would sign up now to have Cruz or Shepard match the production Randle had last year (800 yards 8 TDs) they would probably jump on it. And that's just the start -they need to improve beyond that.
But since then, he has only been doing individual drills. And just the other day Eli mentioned "we just have to get him healthy".
We'll see...
Yeah, rankings tell the whole story. Have you analyzed our lack of a running game forcing us to pass more? Have you analyzed our defense giving up a ton of points forcing our offense to throw more? Yep, overall rankings tell the whole story. You are right. Teams were envious of all of our receivers outside of Beckham.
His replacement is here are they lacking some things at WR still for sure but I can't believe Cruz is the answer to everything either. We will most likely keep 5 or 6 WR's three or four could be locks but the other positions are wide open with several options on the team and possibly other teams later on.
I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see much reason for optimism with him.
Not really. WR was a pretty major need with or without Cruz. Even if Cruz was fully expected to play, we'd still be one injury away from being dangerously thin.
I love how you pretend that you are sooooo much smarter than everyone else when you lack so much football knowledge.
Our number 2, yes our NUMBER 2, WR coming off his rookie contract in the prime of his career - got a bare minimum 1 year deal to fight to be a teams 4th WR. That was our number 2 WR. Guys like Nicks and White were plucked in the middle of the year because no one else wanted them - and no one wants Nicks still. Our number 3 WR is a glorified kick returner thrust into action because Preston Parker - our #3 to start the year dropped more passes than Rueben Randle ran wrong routes.
So while the stats say our WRs corps may have had a pretty stat line - it had to do more with OBJ being awesome and the rest of them being awful.
Here is our wide receiver production after Odell:
Randle 800 Yards-8TDs
Harris 400-4
White 88-1
Nicks 54-0
Parker 40-0
Davis 21-0
Edwards 9-0
So Randle had twice the production of Harris who was the next highest producing wide receiver, and a huge drop off after him. Randle had more production than all of the other receivers combined behind him.
This is a unit where how they perform will have a big impact on how the team does this season. I think if you asked most fans if they would sign up now to have Cruz or Shepard match the production Randle had last year (800 yards 8 TDs) they would probably jump on it. And that's just the start -they need to improve beyond that.
And what did Randle's stats get him in his contract this offseason?
Quote:
7th in the NFL in yards; first in touchdowns; second in plays over 40 yards. Get a clue.
I love how you pretend that you are sooooo much smarter than everyone else when you lack so much football knowledge.
Our number 2, yes our NUMBER 2, WR coming off his rookie contract in the prime of his career - got a bare minimum 1 year deal to fight to be a teams 4th WR. That was our number 2 WR. Guys like Nicks and White were plucked in the middle of the year because no one else wanted them - and no one wants Nicks still. Our number 3 WR is a glorified kick returner thrust into action because Preston Parker - our #3 to start the year dropped more passes than Rueben Randle ran wrong routes.
So while the stats say our WRs corps may have had a pretty stat line - it had to do more with OBJ being awesome and the rest of them being awful.
Good Post. My only contention is that Harris is better than you make him out to be. He was competent at worst in his 1st real year playing as an actual WR. But you are correct behind OBJ wasn't much.
A little credit goes to KG, Jr as the TE's actually did well receiving wise. Will Tye was pretty productive as UDFA rookie.
If they paid him that much money to be a 4th WR, that is pretty foolish then. He's coming into this year as the 4th WR a well.
Quote:
There is a big gap in production with his departure.
Here is our wide receiver production after Odell:
Randle 800 Yards-8TDs
Harris 400-4
White 88-1
Nicks 54-0
Parker 40-0
Davis 21-0
Edwards 9-0
So Randle had twice the production of Harris who was the next highest producing wide receiver, and a huge drop off after him. Randle had more production than all of the other receivers combined behind him.
This is a unit where how they perform will have a big impact on how the team does this season. I think if you asked most fans if they would sign up now to have Cruz or Shepard match the production Randle had last year (800 yards 8 TDs) they would probably jump on it. And that's just the start -they need to improve beyond that.
And what did Randle's stats get him in his contract this offseason?
Expensive gravy, I just hope they don't need Chef Ramsey to step in! His cost to the team is $6.2M even if he can't contribute.
Giants still need a vet WR. It will happen before opening day.
Here is our wide receiver production after Odell:
Randle 800 Yards-8TDs
Harris 400-4
White 88-1
Nicks 54-0
Parker 40-0
Davis 21-0
Edwards 9-0
So Randle had twice the production of Harris who was the next highest producing wide receiver, and a huge drop off after him. Randle had more production than all of the other receivers combined behind him.
This is a unit where how they perform will have a big impact on how the team does this season. I think if you asked most fans if they would sign up now to have Cruz or Shepard match the production Randle had last year (800 yards 8 TDs) they would probably jump on it. And that's just the start -they need to improve beyond that.
57 recpt (63.3%, 797yds/14YPC-8TD's 90tgts) vs Alshon Jeffery, 54 recpt (58.1%, 807yds/14.9YPC-4TD's 93tgts). I guess RR wasn't so bad after all!
Here is our wide receiver production after Odell:
Randle 800 Yards-8TDs
Harris 400-4
White 88-1
Nicks 54-0
Parker 40-0
Davis 21-0
Edwards 9-0
So Randle had twice the production of Harris who was the next highest producing wide receiver, and a huge drop off after him. Randle had more production than all of the other receivers combined behind him.
This is a unit where how they perform will have a big impact on how the team does this season. I think if you asked most fans if they would sign up now to have Cruz or Shepard match the production Randle had last year (800 yards 8 TDs) they would probably jump on it. And that's just the start -they need to improve beyond that.
I am not sure you can make that statement (regarding Randle) right now (to early?). 800 yards and 8 tds is not a huge hole to full. I am assuming someone else will get his looks and those yards and tds will go to someone else or will get distributed among the WRs (or TEs) that we have left. I think we have to wait till the end of the season to see how much of an impact Randle departure was.
You do it if he is fully recovered. You want to see if he has has an issue in May not August. You hold him out if he is not fully recovered. I expect he is not fully recovered - and he SHOULD be based on the elapsed time. Hoping for the best but sadly not expecting much.
Davis has potential but has a Lot to learn to be a #2 WR
I held believe many were certain JPP was done as well.
Just because the Giants may be counting on him doesn't mean much.
They've got a track record now of relying on players they shouldn't (Snee, Beason, etc). I hope otherwise, but it's quite possible, maybe even probable, that they'd do it again here.
When you lose guys like the WRs we have lost, it's easy to see why there are so many doom & gloom fans. They want to prepare for the worst, hope for the best.
Quote:
There is a big gap in production with his departure.
Here is our wide receiver production after Odell:
Randle 800 Yards-8TDs
Harris 400-4
White 88-1
Nicks 54-0
Parker 40-0
Davis 21-0
Edwards 9-0
So Randle had twice the production of Harris who was the next highest producing wide receiver, and a huge drop off after him. Randle had more production than all of the other receivers combined behind him.
This is a unit where how they perform will have a big impact on how the team does this season. I think if you asked most fans if they would sign up now to have Cruz or Shepard match the production Randle had last year (800 yards 8 TDs) they would probably jump on it. And that's just the start -they need to improve beyond that.
57 recpt (63.3%, 797yds/14YPC-8TD's 90tgts) vs Alshon Jeffery, 54 recpt (58.1%, 807yds/14.9YPC-4TD's 93tgts). I guess RR wasn't so bad after all!
Seriously? You're comparing Randle's stats to a guy who played in 9 games? Good God...
Do the Giants simply feel that Cruz only has so many miles in the tank and they'd rather save his wheels for training camp? That seems to be a stretch. Are they just being cautious even though Cruz won't be any more physical ready in August as he is right now? That seems likely. And I just don't agree with holding him out until then but wtf do I know...personally...i'd rather find out now and give Cruz all the burn he can handle this way he's even further along when camp hits.
Do the Giants simply feel that Cruz only has so many miles in the tank and they'd rather save his wheels for training camp? That seems to be a stretch. Are they just being cautious even though Cruz won't be any more physical ready in August as he is right now? That seems likely. And I just don't agree with holding him out until then but wtf do I know...personally...i'd rather find out now and give Cruz all the burn he can handle this way he's even further along when camp hits.
It just seems like an over correction from last year.
They allowed him to set the pace for his rehab and return to work, and it backfired. Now they're being overly cautious. Anyone who paid attention to how he posted videos of his rehab program could see he was going extremely aggressive.
If the Giants felt this way I don't think they would be paying him what he's currently scheduled to earn.
Do the Giants simply feel that Cruz only has so many miles in the tank and they'd rather save his wheels for training camp? That seems to be a stretch. Are they just being cautious even though Cruz won't be any more physical ready in August as he is right now? That seems likely. And I just don't agree with holding him out until then but wtf do I know...personally...i'd rather find out now and give Cruz all the burn he can handle this way he's even further along when camp hits.
He said he's 100%. We've all heard this kind of optimism from him for quite awhile now..He's a veteran, there's no reason to push him now when it's virtually meaningless save for the classroom stuff which he can attend..Waiting until camp makes him even healthier. There's no downside to waiting for camp, only upside, imo..Let him heal even further. Keep bringing him along as you have
If he is not running routes in training camp, then get concerned, not worth worrying about now.
If he's still sitting on the sidelines in August I'll be worried, but not now.
Said it best; when he came back, he looked good, then the calf injury.
Remember when Nicks went down fast. It was a FUNCTIONAL problem that was not recognized. I don't think this is the case with Cruz - the medical & training staff know everything about him.
They're doing "due diligence" that's all
Fact is, so long as OBJ remains healthy the team (read Eli) doesn't need another single star WR to suceed at a very high level. He needs 2-3 more merely competent WRs and a competent TE to complement OBJ and Vereen.
And in Mac's O, a step up from Tye from what he did last year, or from Donnell or any other TE for that matter, would take pressure off the 2nd, 3rd and 4th WRs as well.
Alshon across from OBJ, regardless of who else is on the team, automatically becomes the best wr Corp in the league.