The deadline for teams to make an offer on restricted free agent Victor Cruz has come and gone and not one team attempted to get the wide receiver. So now the battle begins for the New York Giants to try and sign him to a deal that makes both parties happy. While owner Jerry Reese is confident that a deal with Cruz will get done, head coach Tom Coughlin is not as hopeful. Coughlin is concerned over the absence of the team's star receiver and hopes things move faster.
Cruz continues to sit out of Giants' offseason workouts. He was seen attending a passing camp with quarterback Eli Manning, but that is the only time Cruz has been present for a workout regarding the Giants. He is still waiting to hear from the team in hopes of signing a long-term extension of high salary numbers. Currently he has been forced to settle with a $2.879 million restricted tender for the 2013 season, but wants the extension. Coughlin is growing concerned as Cruz remains unsigned.
"It has to be a concern because when the restricted free agency period is over, you would hope that things would move fast. What we want is exactly what I said the other day. We want a win-win. We want Victor to be proud to be a New York Giant, proud of his contract. The New York Giants want him back as badly as we've ever wanted anybody," Coughlin said.
General Manager Jerry Reese is not as concerned as Coughlin is over the Cruz situation. He understands this is all a business and both sides have to do what is best for them. He is hoping things work out and is stressing that the team is not mad at Cruz for holding out and waiting on a deal.
Cruz is currently weighing his options that the team has given him. He is certainly not the first player to hold and stay away from the team while negotiations continue on. In the last two seasons, he has been a dynamic receiving threat, catching 19 touchdowns and recording 2,628 yards. Cruz would like a deal close to what someone like Mike Wallace received, in the $12 million range.
The team is not loaded with salary cap space which is what could be hindering the signing of Cruz. He will continue to hold out until the team gives him the offer he wants. As the Giants wait, Coughlin will grow more red in the face with each passing day.
