New Orleans Saints interested in wide receiver Victor Cruz?
The New Orleans Saints are reportedly interested in New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz if he hits the free agent market.
According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, the New York Giants informed Victor Cruz that he would be released if he didn’t agree to take a pay cut. John Hendrix of Who Dat Dish was informed Monday that the New Orleans Saints may have an interest if the Pro Bowl wideout hits the free agent market.
#Giants have informed WR Victor Cruz they will release him unless he agrees to pay cut. Negotiations under way, per source
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) March 7, 2016
I'm told that if wide receiver Victor Cruz hits free agency that the #Saints could have interest, per source
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) March 7, 2016
Cruz had a stellar start to his career after the former undrafted rookie (2010) earned a spot on the Giants’ 53-man roster in 2011. In his first year on New York’s roster, Cruz emerged into a star following several injuries to the receiving corps. He finished his initial campaign with 82 receptions for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns.
He continued his success in 2012, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl after reeling in 86 catches, 1,092 yards, and ten scores. Of course, he’d go on to help the Giants win a Super Bowl. Cruz missed two games in 2013, but he still managed a 72-998-4 stat line.
In 2014, Cruz’s production saw a bit of a decline, largely in part because of Odell Beckham Jr., who strolled onto the scene in what was one of the most impressive campaigns by a rookie wide receiver ever.
Cruz missed the final ten games of 2014 after tearing his patellar tendon against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 12. He was cleared to play for Week 10 of 2015 but later decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his calf. He has not played a single snap since that day in Philly.
After parting ways with Marques Colston, the New Orleans Saints could be in the market for another veteran wide receiver. Victor Cruz is certainly an intriguing option for that high-powered offense in the Big Easy.
If healthy (keyword: if), he and Drew Brees could do some damage to opposing defenses. The New Orleans Saints have not had much luck signing injury-prone free agents in the past, so they’ll have to figure out if the risk is truly worth the reward. That’s if they are indeed interested in Cruz. However, negotiations with the Giants to stay in New York are likely.