Some things just don’t make sense in football.
And how tired are you of hearing some columnist reach into the bag of old, used clichés to tell you…”football is a business”. I’m sick of it.
While most people understand that being fiscally responsible is important, all parties including Giants owner John Mara know that Victor Cruz played two Pro Bowl years for pocket change.
Fans don’t buy over priced Personal Seat Licenses, annual Direct TV Sports programming packages and blue and white New York Giant jerseys and hats at an alarming rate to hear…football is business and “We’ve made him a very substantial offer.”
With some players…it’s personal. Cruz is neither washed up nor broken down. As fans, you should be pissed off. How many players are over paid that don’t contribute? How much money was wasted in recent years on Travis Beckum, David Baas, Keith Bullock and Ramses Barden. Do I even have to bring up Gerris Wilkerson, Clint Sintim & Sinorice Moss.
Jerry Reese recently re-signed Will Beatty, the average left tackle for $38 million dollars to avoid drafting or signing one. That contract comes with $19 million guaranteed… but the Giants have no money for one of the best slot receivers in football.
“We are very pleased to get a new deal done with Will,” general manager Jerry Reese said. “We believe he is one of the ascending left tackles in the NFL.” Ascending? Who is he kidding? In four years he has missed 16 games and has never been considered an elite tackle. Steady…yes. $38 million…no way.
Then Reese thinks that Cullen Jenkins deserved 8 million over 3 years with $3.15 million guaranteed, with a $2 million signing bonus. Jenkins is a 32-year-old player and while he is durable…impact he is not. So what caused this? Jerry Reese made a mistake drafting Marvin Austin, over paid Chris Canty and let Barry Cofield go. UGH!
Not everything Jerry Reese does is magic.
The 26-year-old receiver could get upward of $6 to $8 million a season, so why not get smart and offer the guy 4 million counting in the “home town” discount and get something done. His back to back stats of a 1000 yards plus put him with Amani Toomer and Hakeem Nicks. If all else fails…ask Eli. I like the fact that Tom Brady wants to win and he restructures all the time to help the team.
The team will invested in Hakeem Nicks, another high-profile receiver, yet the Giants need to understand that if he gets hurt you can’t win games with Domenik Hixon, Ruben Randle and Jerrel Jernigan. Tight End? The Giants already lost Martellus Bennett.
Sometimes decisions are made because of ego, shorted sighted ness or stubbornness and in the Coughlin/Jerry Reese era the player personal moves have worked out well, but this situation feels different. Cruz is one of those players fans come to the stadium to see.
Sign Victor Cruz.
Craig J. Santucci | Senior Editor Giants Rush