First of all, before getting into this, I want to put out a few disclaimers. Cruz has been an outstanding Giant and he will forever be linked to the 2011 championship. Fighting to come back from the knee and calf injuries to play in 15 games, when most thought he was done is a credit to his hard work to come back and play.
That said, going into the 2016 season, it was pretty clear that the Giants were hedging if Cruz would be able to play again or not. Even midway into the pre-season and camp, there seemed to be some lingering questions if he was going to be able to contribute and perhaps find himself cut. Reese himself had said that the Giants were hopeful he could play, but weren't counting on it.
To the end, drafting Sterling Shepard was a clear indicator that the Giants were preparing for life without Cruz, ready to begin as soon as 2016. Shepard was also the heir apparent in the slot, the position which Cruz had made his own after he took over once Steve Smith had moved on after his injuries (Smith had 100+ catches from the slot in 2009 and made the Pro Bowl).
But once the season had started, and we saw that Cruz was going to be able to get on the field, the Giants made the decision to play Cruz on the outside, keep Shepard in the slot, and let Odell do his thing. Cruz was clearly not at his best on the outside. Never really blessed with speed before his injuries, Cruz was ineffective at best on the outside. While he had a handful of decent plays on the outside (the deep pass vs. the Saints to set up the game winning FG), Cruz was invisible most of the season. He caught 3 or fewer passes in a game 10 times. He only scored 1 TD (in the opener).
Meanwhile, Shepard was left in the slot for the season, ended up having a very solid season, 65 catches, 683 yards, 8 TDs, and on several occasions was Eli's target on 4th down, catching passes out of the slot which used to be what Cruz would do.
By the Packers game, it would appear that Tavarres King took over for many of Cruz' snaps.
In all, Cruz had a mediocre 39 catch, 586 yard, 1 TD season.
The question is, would the Giants have gotten more production (and perhaps help the offense) if they had put Cruz back at his slot position and either play Shepard on the outside, or play other WRs (ie- Lewis or King). Once the Giants offense devolved into a one read, if not there, dump off to the running back or TE, passing attack, that put Cruz further at a disadvantage. The first read was almost always going to be Odell. If not, it was going to be a slant in the slot. Cruz was almost never going to be an option on the outside in this offense. So we are left with the question...is Cruz done or was he misused in this offense. AT $9.4 million next year, it's clear that something is going to give, he's not making that money here, and if he wants to stay, he's going to take a huge pay cut. And if his role isn't going to change much from what it was last year, with Shepard established in the slot, would the Giants want to bring him back, and would he even want to come back?
I'm still bullish but I did not see the superior downfield blocking either. At this point you'd have to laugh at the Steve Smith (Panthers) comparisons - that ain't no Steve Smith.
But as for Cruz - yes, I remember a bunch of us here wondering why he wasn't being given an opportunity in the slot. You've got to wonder if he had a falling out with the coaches, and if he was the (one of the) one(s) rumbling about the scheme being too simple.
See I don't believe this. Just like I don't believe Lewis was better than King.
King showed up huge in the preseason and didn't get the chance he earned by playing well. It's too bad - and the coaches aren't infallible or beyond criticism. It wasn't just the games either, if you went to camp you saw King making several big plays a day. He was their "deep guy". And they just didn't use him.
They gave him a chance when in reality they shouldnt have.
our lack of creativity was stunning
They gave him a chance when in reality they shouldnt have.
I tend to agree, seems a bit harsh, but it's a business. Giants seems determined to "do good" by their players. It becomes a problem though when it's to the detriment of the team...
A) Fast enough to get open deep
or
B) Big enough to outmuscle DB's
Cruz has neither of those attributes. He is quick, which makes him perfect for the slot, and nothing else really. I dont think disservice was the word, but they tried to fit a square peg into a round hole and it simply backfired. They then compounded the mistake by continuing to throw him out there when it was clear that he was not effective.
giants probably thought Cruz wasn't going to see the field again..
sheppard was drafted to replace Cruz
they were the same player .. giants need a true outside WR and a big TE
and then they will have effective offense
IMO they did do him a disservice, they stuck Cruz out of position all year , he had a respectable 500+ yards but he's is not and never was an outside receiver. They did the entire offense a disservice ! Lewis or King should have been on the outside the entire year.
No imagination, both Sheppard and Cruz could have played out of the slot in 4wr sets, or even trips formation.
Now when the cut him it's going to be tougher for him because the tape on him from 2016 is not going to be very Good. Playing him outside all year was just plain stupid . They should have just released him then.
Can't blame them for looking out for one of their own, but they paid for it dearly.
giants probably thought Cruz wasn't going to see the field again..
sheppard was drafted to replace Cruz
they were the same player .. giants need a true outside WR and a big TE
and then they will have effective offense
Thank you Victor for your time and working your ass off for making it back. Not sure if you will return.
that wheel route was killer
will be interesting where cruz ends up next year.
Just like I wouldn't agree that Apple is a better CB than DRC.
Both vets played out of their natural position in place of a rookie. The difference is that DRC did an admirable job and Cruz barely made a difference.
In his defense, I think Cruz would have been more productive out of the slot...but Shepard did a great job.
Ben: Not a lot of production on offense this past week boys. What's the plan to fix the problem?
Sully: Yeah boss, we're thinking next game we'll line up in the same formation and run the same plays. How's that sound?
Ben: Great idea Sully! You guys keep up the good work while I check out what Spags is up to with defense.
I bet Cruz winds up in NE next year and has a great season "doing his job".
But if the coaches and the game film say that Cruz has had it then just have to accept that and move on. The bigger question may be if Shepard has more to offer than he showed as a rookie. He wasn't very explosive or elusive. Very good at going past the first down markers and getting open for the first down.
So did they do him a disservice? No, they did him a favor.
Quote:
giants probably thought Cruz wasn't going to see the field again..
sheppard was drafted to replace Cruz
they were the same player .. giants need a true outside WR and a big TE
and then they will have effective offense
they are not the same player , Sheppard never displayed the big play ability like Cruz did his rookie year. Don't get me wrong I think Sheppard was a great pick, but he's not Cruz . He barely ave 10yds a catch .
Shepard rookie season 65 catches - Cruz rookie season 0 catches... Are you referencing Cruz preseason performance his rookie year for the "big play ability rookie comparison?"
our lack of creativity was stunning
This. Why couldn't Sheppard run some otherness routes. The Giants usually have their WRs learn all
The routes don't they?
BBI says this about King:
'King is a tall, thin receiver with very good speed. He is not a physical player and is best suited as an outside receiver.'
so why we didn't see more of him is a mystery
Lousy leader who went to Miami this year rather then lead his teammates.
2011 - 82, 1536 9 TDs
2012 - 86, 1092 10 Tds
2013 - 73, 998 4 TDS
2014 - 23, 337 1
2015 - Appeared on ballers
2016 - 39, 586 1 TD
He had two good seasons. THATS IT
To call his season "mediocre" is being kind.
Applaud the comeback, and will always love Cruz for what he brought that Super Bowl season, but its over...
Quote:
saved seasons and seasons for this team once nicks declined.
Seasons and Seasons?
2011 - 82, 1536 9 TDs
2012 - 86, 1092 10 Tds
2013 - 73, 998 4 TDS
2014 - 23, 337 1
2015 - Appeared on ballers
2016 - 39, 586 1 TD
He had two good seasons. THATS IT
Maybe a pluralizing typo?
Cruz lost me this year with two things:
1. His complaining about targets seemed very immature and unwarranted given his lack of flash.
2. His role in the Miami nonsense. He should have known better and been a true leader for his guys. He let Beckham take a ton of shit for that and then came out after the fact on some podcast to say they shouldn't have gone. That was weak.
Those two situations showed how little Cruz functioned/s as a vet leader on this team.
It's POSSIBLE (though not likely) that he might be a little better next year with the injury another year further behind him. It's also likely that if the OL and TE situation improves, and the offense can use more formations, he could be a more effective contributor than he was this year.
But at this point, he'd be relegated to being a role player.
They gave him a chance when in reality they shouldnt have.
Exactly. Cruz wouldn't have cracked the top 3 on a lot of teams. The fact he was still on the roster showed an unprecedented amount of faith in Cruz.
I'll be surprised if Cruz makes the final roster if he's picked up by another team.
+1000