The New York Giants have been locked in contract talks with wide receiver Victor Cruz throughout the season and although the team has not gotten close to making a deal yet, head coach Tom Coughlin is hoping that the two sides can work it out.
According to ESPNNewYork.com, Coughlin spoke on Tuesday about the receiver while promoting his new book, "Earn The Right To Win: How Success in Any Field Starts with Superior Preparation," on "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News. The coach said that he hoped the receiver would remain with the Giants and that the team could come to an extension agreement.
Cruz is set to be a restricted free agent and is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. During the season in 2012 the two sides appeared to get close to an agreement after Cruz said that an outline was in place, but it appears his agent and the team are far apart.
"We want Victor Cruz to be a Giant," Coughlin said. "That is the bottom line. However, it takes two to tango. We would certainly want to do everything in our power to keep him here. Ownership has indicated that. Front office has indicated that."
Free agency begins March 12 and the team would like to come to an agreement before the deadline hits and Cruz becomes a free agent. The team will likely use a tender on Cruz of the highest value, meaning that another team would have to give up a first round pick to the Giants if they sign him.
The Giants have appeared to be setting up for the long haul by cutting a number of veteran players, including Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Canty. The team needed to free up cap space to lockup wide receiver Hakeem Nicks to a long-term deal as his rookie contract is set to expire after next season and the team will also have to sign their draft picks.
"It's obvious that we have had to part ways with some very, very special players and special people that have helped us win one or two championships," Coughlin said. "I would prefer not to lose anybody, but that is just the nature of the business."
The Giants took care of one major priority by signing offensive lineman Will Beatty to a five-year, $38.75 million contract and they still have free agents left guard Kevin Boothe and tight end Martellus Bennett.
"We have to wait and see," Coughlin later added when asked if the Giants will do more in free agency besides trying to keep some of their own free agents. "It is all cap-driven."
The team could look to draft a wide receiver in April in case they lose Cruz and also to make up for the likely loss of Ramses Barden, who is also set to be a free agent. The young wideout had only 29 catches since being drafted with the Giants and never could work his way onto the field.
The team will look to sign Cruz at a fair, but reasonable price and may have to part ways with him if they cannot agree. Nicks was injured last season, but with his size, speed and playmaking ability, he is a long-term investment the Giants refuse to lose.