While Victor Cruz may be unsure about where he going to be playing football in 2013, quarterback Eli Manning is hoping it is with the Giants. The New York wide receiver is looking to get paid big money from a team, whether that is from the Giants or someone else. Manning's favorite target is a restricted free agent and may be wearing a different uniform next season if a team makes an offer. However, Manning is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Cruz with the Giants.
Manning understands the value of his favorite wide receiver. They have become one of the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the league. In 2012, Cruz and Manning connected on 168 passes for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns. Cruz also played a key part in the Giants' Super Bowl win in 2011. He is set to earn $2.9 million in 2012 and become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next year. The Giants are hoping to sign him to a deal before that.
In an effort to keep Cruz in New York, the team has placed a first round tender on the receiver so a team would have to give up a first-round pick and pay him big money. The Giants are cash-strapped right now and have very little wiggled room financially to give Cruz the deal he is demanding. Manny is willing to do whatever is necessary to keep Cruz, even if that means restructuring his contract to make room.
"That's kind of up to the Giants and what they want to do. I'm always up for listening and doing what's best for the team," Manning said.
The quarterback notes that Cruz is anxious with the contract issues saying he just wants to have it settled. The two are already thinking of 2013 since as of right now Cruz is still with the Giants.
"We're kind of talking about our planning and when we're going to start working out, when we're going to start throwing and getting ready for this upcoming season. And honestly, I hope that he's with the Giants," Manning said.
The Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams were two teams considered to be interested in Cruz. However, Minnesota just signed Greg Jennings and may not be in the market for another big time wide receiver. The Rams just signed Jake Long and do not have the budget to also take on Cruz. The team is staying tight lipped on how negotiations with Cruz are going, but head coach Tom Coughlin believes he will be back.
