Tom Coughlin has publicly expressed his doubts about retaining the services of his star wideout for the 2013 season and beyond. However, co-owner John Mara isn’t sweating it.
“I’m pretty confident that we’ll end up reaching a deal [with Cruz],” Mara said Tuesday on NFL Network. “This is not an atypical situation. Contracts like Victors can tend to drag on from time to time. I think we’ll get it done.”
Cruz has quickly become a fan favorite for Big Blue. The Giants faithful can ill-afford to see Victor Cruz’s production leave town.
“[New York] is the right place for [Cruz] to play,” said Mara. “He’s a star in the area, and an important part of our team and I think we’ll eventually get a deal done, but it’s just a process that you have to go through. And we’re going through it right now. There’s communication, and it’s slow but steady, and I think at some point we’ll reach a deal.”
Since entering the league in 2010 as an undrafted free agent from UMass, Cruz has surpassed the expectations of the Giants. The salsa-dancing receiver has torched NFL defenses for 2,628 yards and 19 TDs in his first three seasons.
Despite the optimism of one John Mara, Cruz has yet to sign his tender of $2.879 million offered this off-season. It is being reported that the elite receiver is seeking nearly $10 million per season. Currently the Giants are offering Cruz a figure in the neighborhood of $7 million.
The team is only $3 million off of the target price to maintain their top wideout. However, the Giants also need to think about their other star pass-catcher in Hakeem Nicks. The veteran Nicks could be a free agent in 2014 and is seeking a figure similar to that of his teammate Cruz.
GM Jerry Reese has been known to tread carefully in these matters and has masterfully restructured or re-signed past players. Reese is assuring reporters that the dispute with Cruz is “just business” and that “things will work out.”
