WR Victor Cruz
September 5, 2016
Q: What are you expecting when you get out there on Sunday? What kind of feelings are you going to have? Will this game trump the preseason debut?
A: It definitely trumps it. Obviously the preseason game, to even suit up and be back out there and to be playing football again, was a great feeling but this one, week one when it matters, against the Dallas Cowboys is definitely going to be one for the books. I think that being gone for roughly two years is just an emotional time for me when I go out there, an exhilarating time, an exciting time, but a time where I just have to look back and put this all into perspective from where I came from and to be here again is just a blessing.
Q: Did you do anything on Saturday to celebrate?
A: No, I actually threw a swim party for my daughter. She just learned how to swim and go in the water and all of this craziness, so I had a swim party for her. That was my celebration for making the team again.
Q: If you had to put a count on it, how much do you think you can handle? Are you ready to go for a full game?
A: I believe I am ready to play a full game. I have done great in my conditioning. I am in great shape, so I am ready for that regard. I think we are going to see. We will see how it goes, we will see how my body feels going into that third and fourth quarters and we will take it from there. But I feel like mentally I am definitely ready and physically I am ready for a full game, conditioning wise, but obviously, playing in a game we will see how it goes.
Q: Do you have to learn about the players on Dallas again, since you haven’t played in so long?
A: A little bit. Obviously I know most of the guys. I still watch football, believe it or not. I still kind of turn the TV on and watch the games, but obviously you want to familiarize yourself with these guys, their tendencies and how they are from a defensive perspective and then you have to do your homework.
Q: The first team offense didn’t get a lot of time together in the preseason. Is there any concern that things are not where they need to be entering Week 1?
A: I don’t think so. We do a good job preparing for games no matter who is out there, and I think that from an offensive perspective we do an amazing job of understanding what plays are in, understanding how we want them executed, and I think this week is of the most importance, so it is going to be no less. I think we are going to do a good job preparing and the offense will be ready and we will come to play.
Q: Opening week is always a special week for everybody, but especially for you coming back. Do you have a feeling of what the jitters are going to be like this week?
A: Absolutely. There are definitely some jitters. I get butterflies before every game until that ball is kicked off, but this one might have some extra butterflies. Just being able to run out there with my team again, being able to line up across from an opposing team in a Week 1 scenario playing football again. I think I am excited, I am anxious, emotions will be everywhere, so I am just excited for the opportunity to run out there and see what happens.
Q: The rivalry against Dallas kind of helps, too, right?
A: Absolutely. Absolutely. Just when that focal point is there, it definitely becomes a bigger one when you play against your archrival.
