New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was the breakout star of 2014, winning the Rookie of the Year award and now gracing the cover if the upcoming Madden video game. With that comes extra attention from defensive coordinators.
"I definitely expect to receive a lot more attention but it's not going to work," Beckham told The New York Post. The newspaper said Beckham cited the numerous weapons in the Giants' passing game, and none will be more important than Victor Cruz, last year's No. 1 target for Eli Manning.
Cruz suffered a serious knee injury last season that limited him to just six games, but he recently updated the media on his status.
"I'm about 80 percent there. I think it's just a matter of continuing to build the strength for the last leg of it," Cruz said. "I've been running some routes for about two weeks now, and there's been no pain, no swelling or anything like that, which are all good signs."
Before Beckham, Cruz was New York's wide receiver sensation. He burst onto the scene in 2011 with a 1,536-yard nine-touchdown season, and followed up that campaign with 86 grabs, 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns. 2013 was a down year, and 2014 was mostly lost to the torn patellar tendon.
"Yeah, I am itching," Cruz said. "I can't lie. I am itching. I am running routes and feeling good, but I know there is still a process, and I am still a little ways away in terms of strength-wise and things like that. It feels good and watching those guys run routes and catch balls. I am definitely itching to get back out there."
Last season was New York's first with new offensive coordinator Bob McAdoo on the sideline, and after a rocky start Eli Manning and Beckham had the passing game flying high. Manning finished the season with 4,410 yards and 30 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. He threw the ball 601 times, his most pass attempts ever. His 30 touchdowns were his most since 2010, and his interceptions were the lowest since he threw 14 in 2009.
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