INDIANAPOLIS —
Super Bowl XLVI is just the next chapter of a storybook season for New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz.
After making the Giants roster as an undrafted free agent in 2010, the former University of Massachusetts standout is living a dream for his hometown team. He impressed in training camp as a rookie but did not catch a pass in three regular-season games after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Cruz began the 2011 season as New York’s fourth wide receiver. Injuries again played a major role, although this time in his favor. Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon both went down, opening the door for more playing time.
He didn’t disappoint. The Patterson, N.J., native wound up the regular season with an eye-popping 82 receptions in 16 games for a franchise single-season record 1,582 yards, and scored nine touchdowns. His 99-yard catch and run against the crosstown rival Jets tied the mark for the longest scoring play in Giants’ history.
Not bad for a guy that some scouts figured was too slow to be a major contributor for an NFL team.
“I think I still have the sore mark right here on my arm [from pinching himself]. It’s been an amazing ride for me,” Cruz quickly admits. “It's one that I didn’t imagine having initially. I just wanted to come in [this season] and do some good things and see where I could fit into this team. It’s been amazing.”
That's putting it mildly. What he lacks in straight-out speed, Cruz has impressed with his ability to make tough catches in a crowd and then to make something happen after hauling in a pass. It’s his burst after the catch that has caught the most attention.
Cruz has made a big impression on two very important people, coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning.
“When the opportunity was presented, he was at a point in time when he actually understood how important and serious it was [due to injuries at wide receiver]. The fact that these opportunities don’t come along every day, he seized it. He took full advantage of it,” Coughlin acknowledged.
“Once he was able to accomplish what he did, the result was kind of eye-popping. Of course, once that happened, the ball was going to go [his] way.”
Manning likes what he sees of Cruz.
“He has done a great job of learning this offense and making decisions. He’s gotten better because of meetings and game-time experience. That is the best thing for a receiver to do. The chemistry between a quarterback and a receiver, you just have to play games,” the Giants signal caller said.
“You can work on a lot of things in practice and get on the same page and work on some of the timing. But once the game happens, a lot of that timing is thrown out the window. There’s the [pass] rush, [the] defense is doing different things and a lot of it is quarterbacks relying on body language, reading the body language of that receiver. Victor has done a great job.”
What Cruz has accomplished this season should serve as a wake-up call for any college player who feels slighted that he didn’t get an invitation to the National Football Scouting Combine, which is conducted in Indianapolis every February.
“No, I wasn’t disappointed. I just knew whatever opportunities were in front of me, whether it be Pro Day, combine or whatever it was, I just had to make the best of it,” he said. “I had two pro days [prior to the NFL draft]. One was at Boston College and one up at UMass. I just did the best I could and was fortunate enough to open up some minds.”
When asked if there’s a sense of irony to the fact that Sunday night’s Super Bowl matchup with New England will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium, the site of the annual combine, Cruz just shook his head and smiled.
“I guess so. Being from a small school, I understand how [the combine] goes. I wasn’t 6-5, 220 pounds or I didn’t have off-the-wall statistics," he said. “I understood how the whole thing goes. I’d rather be here for the Super Bowl now than the combine.”
Pro Sports
Related Photos
-
New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz answers questions from the media after the team's arrival Monday in Indianapolis. (Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza)
Discussion
Second-year Giant won't surprise anyone at this point
- Pro Sports
-
-
Colts have stocked up on tight ends
Just because Dallas Clark is now in Tampa Bay and Jacob Tamme has moved on to Denver doesn’t mean that the tight end position has become any less important to the Indianapolis Colts offense.
-
Colts have no plan to move from Anderson
Apparently the Indianapolis Colts and Anderson University officials found a way to work out a few last-minute snags concerning the team’s summer training camp site.
-
Colts’ new QB has a lot to keep him busy
With three days of rookie mini-camp now behind him and a few more weeks of college class work still ahead, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has come to a crossroads.
-
Mr. Irrelevant may find home with Colts
Chandler Harnish might be Mr. Irrelevant to most of the National Football League, but the former Norwell High School standout — who grew up in Bluffton — has a real chance to stick around the Indianapolis Colts locker room for awhile.
-
Colts fill need at cornerback
While the Indianapolis Colts failed to add any cornerbacks among the 10 players selected during this past weekend’s National Football League draft, general manager Ryan Grigson and the team’s scouting department were able to snag three undrafted free agents to play the position.
-
New Colts GM, coach pleased with first draft
In a sense, first-year general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano were rookies during the 2012 NFL draft.
-
Colts’ new look comes into shape tonight at MSG
A changing of the guard. That’s what fans of the Indianapolis Colts can look forward to when the NFL draft commences tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
-
PHOTO TRIBUTE: 100 years of baseball at Fenway Park
This year Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, celebrates its 100th anniversary as America's oldest Major League stadium -- and the setting for some of baseball's greatest players, historic wins and crushing losses. That sacred magic is captured in two exhibits at the 20-year-old Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester, a Boston suburb.
-
Colts know, but won't say who No. 1 pick will be
With the first round of the NFL draft just a week away, Indianapolis Colts first-year general manager Ryan Grigson admitted Wednesday that team officials know who they are going to select with the No. 1 overall pick.
-
Manning returning to Indianapolis for fundraiser
Peyton Manning is coming back to Indianapolis next month for a fundraising dinner benefiting the children’s hospital that was named for him while he was the Colts quarterback.
-
Colts look nothing like team of old with workouts under way
For the first time since last month’s massive roster purge, Indianapolis Colts players — both those that are returning as well as some of the newer additions — were available to talk about the franchise’s immediate future during an open lockerroom session Wednesday.
-
Saints' Payton suspended for 2012 season by NFL
The NFL has suspended New Orleans head coach Sean Payton for the 2012 season, and former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is banned from the league indefinitely because of the team's bounty program that targeted opposing players.
-
Going to Denver: Manning’s move bound to shake up AFC
The Denver Broncos got their Man. Make that Peyton Manning.
Pending final contract negotiations, Manning will join John Elway’s Broncos with hopes of winning another Super Bowl.
-
AP Source: Peyton Manning chooses Broncos
Peyton Manning wants to play for the Denver Broncos in Act II of his outstanding career. A person briefed on negotiations said the NFL’s only four-time MVP called Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams and told him that he had picked the Broncos.
-
Steve Weatherford signs 5-year deal with NY Giants
In professional sports, when one door closes, another door sometimes opens to a better situation on the other side.
-
Weatherford signs 5-year deal with Giants
Terre Haute native Steve Weatherford will get the chance to defend a Super Bowl title with his New York Giants teammates.
-
Blazers waive former No. 1 pick, Terre Haute resident Greg Oden
The Trail Blazers have waived center Greg Oden, ending the former No. 1 overall pick's disappointing career in Portland.
-
Indianapolis puts team roster under knife
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay sounded the warning bell during Wednesday’s press conference announcing the release of 14-year quarterback Peyton Manning.
-
Peyton-palooza: Manning will have significant number of suitors
Rex Ryan’s Jets need leadership in a lost locker room.
-
Colts, Peyton Manning prepared to part ways?
It looks very much as if an era will be coming to a close today.
-
Colts agree to deal with Mathis
After signing a multi-year deal on Monday, it looks as if Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis will play his entire National Football League career with the Indianapolis Colts.
-
Giants use franchise tag on Weatherford
Steve Weatherford’s first season with the New York Giants was so impressive they placed the franchise tag on him Monday.
-
Colts defense about to receive overhaul
Changes are coming quickly for the Indianapolis Colts defense.
-
Choices at QB are plentiful for Indianapolis
Whatever decision the Indianapolis Colts ultimately make on who will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2012, the job will ultimately be in good hands.
-
A day later, Giants basking in win
A little more than nine hours after the New York Giants registered their second Super Bowl triumph in four years, coach Tom Coughlin and quarterback Eli Manning met with the media covering Super Bowl XLVI one last time Monday morning.
-
PATRIOT KILLER: Eli’s heroics starting to look vintage
It was a vintage Manning come-from-behind performance in the House That Peyton built.
-
What a kick for Weatherford
While Steve Weatherford celebrated with his teammates in the New York Giants’ locker room after the 21-17 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, thoughts inevitably turned to Terre Haute … his hometown.
-
FROM THE PRESS BOX: Peyton’s place belongs to Eli
The good people of Indianapolis justifiably puffed out their chests throughout Super Bowl week as the city received deserved rave reviews for the job it did as hosts of Super Bowl XLVI.
-
Mistakes cost Patriots fourth title
It would have been the most remarkable final play in Super Bowl history.
-
Indianapolis officer injured in Super Bowl Village fight
Indianapolis police say an officer was injured trying to break up a bar fight at the city’s fan-packed Super Bowl Village.
- More Pro Sports Headlines
-
Colts have stocked up on tight ends
Raw Video: Toddler Trapped in Washing Machine
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Castro's Daughter Takes on U.S.-Cuban Relations
1 Dead After Crop-Dusters Collide in Midair
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Romney: "I'd Like Every Parent to Have a Choice"
Raw Video: School Bus Hits House
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Clinton Touts Rights Advances, Assails Assad
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
Fight erupts in Ukrainian parliament over language bill.
Racy ad encourages safe sex for senior citizens
New Video of The Dark Knight Rises Released by Warner Brothers
Coach dismissed after going to prom with student
Jennifer Lopez's Rock Hard Abs
Plane Passenger Records Engine Hatch Blowing Off
What Katy Perry Thinks Makes Her Hot
Toddlers Mistake Laundry Detergent TidePods for Candy, Get Poisoned
Anderson Kicks Guest Off Show
Lolo Jones Admits Trouble Keeping Boyfriends
Behind 'Breaking Bad's' Big Bang
Big Bang Theory Star Comes Out
Laundromat video: It was the babysitter and her friend
"The Choking Game" - Deadly Trend for Youth
Sanchez Eager to Start Her Career after 'Idol'
K.Stew's Topless Confession at Cannes
American Idol Crowns a Champ
