Loading ...The New York Giants have yet to officially tender restricted free agent (RFA) wide receiver Victor Cruz, but when they do, it's expected to be of the first-round variety. And with the RFA market so weak in recent years, General Manager Jerry Reese & Co. have little fear that some other team will swoop in and make an offer so large they either can't or won't match it. But perhaps they should worry just a little…
While appearing on NFL Total Access Thursday night, Ian Rapoport reported that "several teams" are already beginning to line up in preparation of making Cruz a long-term contract offer.
Before anyone goes jumping off a bridge or begins to run and scream in panic, Rapoport's comments should be met with a bit of skepticism. First and foremost, any team openly acknowledging that they are going to make Cruz an offer would be subject to tampering charges. Secondly, remember what time of year it is and what the Cruz camp is aiming for in a new deal. Odds are this story was planted by Cruz's agent in an effort to make the Giants nervous.
A year ago, restricted free agent Mike Wallace received some interest from the San Francisco 49ers, but his demands were too much for them and they decided to pass. Eventually, Wallace re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was the closest thing to an RFA signing in many years, and if history dictates the future, then the Giants really don't have anything to worry about.
With a first-round tender likely to be placed on Cruz, a $2.9 million salary and the right to match any offers, Big Blue still has all the leverage and is in a comfortable position … this year.
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[Luke Skywalker mode] Nooooooooooo …. !!!! [/Luke Skywalker mode]
“Odds are this story was planted by Cruz’s agent in an effort to make the Giants nervous.”
BINGO!
Nobody is giving up a 1st round pick and signing Cruz to a monster contract and if they are it won’t be in the market Cruz is looking to play in. If he wants to play for Cleveland or Cincinnati by all means see ya later but I seriously doubt that’s going to happen especially because it would have to be a front loaded contract so we can’t match. The kid wants to get paid I get it but I don’t hear Nicks or JPP acting like this he needs to cool out. But the way these wideouts are getting paid Cruz is going to get big bucks I’m just nervous what we are going to have to give JPP when he’s up.
All is fair in love and “show me da money”.
That first round draft pick will “As Jack Lambert said will “calm your $$ down”.
Let them line up for that. Pretty sure Reese is not going for the BS. If he can pay the kid he will. If he can’t the he’ll get max value (early first round) and make the team that much stronger. There’s not crying in football, you have got to move on. When one door closes, another is opening.
There are 5 teams that have real cap room and a lot of that will be eaten up chasing these wideouts I really feel that its a buyers market you take a deal or get out the NFL. 100% a buyers market we should be able to fill a lot of holes for little to nothing. Just hope Reese doesn’t overpay for these free agents like he did with Baas. Making a mediocre player highest paid at their position.
Teams are lining up to throw money at all these free agents. Just ask them.
In case anyone missed it, I have a new found respect for Sherman. Skip Bayless has this coming to him for a long time
http://deadspin.com/5989287/im-better-at-life-than-you-richard-sherman-craps-all-over-skip-bayless-on-first-take
I like Sherman. A lot. My fav. non-Giant.
Agreed his confidence teeters on arrogance but somehow doesn’t cross the line for me
Anyone who slaps Skip Bayless around is a-ok in my book
People also seem to forget that if someone offers Cruz a contract and he signs, the Giants get a week to match the offer, or they can take a 1st round pick instead. And
People also seem to forget that if someone offers Cruz a contract and he signs, the Giants get a week to match the offer, or they can take a 1st round pick instead. And their biggest risk is a team with a lot of cap space offering a front-loaded deal the Giants can’t match.
If Cruz wants to remain as big a star as he has become, he’d be smart to stick with a big market team like the Giants.