The Giants’ passing attack appears ready to receive a boost from wide receiver Victor Cruz, who thinks he’s ready to roll in Week 4 vs. the Bills.
"I'm convinced I'm playing Sunday," Cruz told The New York Daily News. Cruz, who caught 73 passes for 998 yards and four touchdowns in his last (mostly) healthy season, would be a welcome addition to a Big Blue receiving corps that has Odell Beckham Jr. and not much else.
Odell Beckham: D's Can't Double Me When Cruz Comes Back
Head coach Tom Coughlin seemed optimistic as well, telling reporters, "It feels like he's coming and is excited and is anxious to get back in there." Why, then, are the Giants working out receivers?
ESPN’s Josina Anderson is reporting that the G-Men plan to work out Hakeem Nicks, who is well-acquainted with the Meadowlands, and Wes Welker. Nicks was last seen playing ineffectively for the Colts. He hasn’t recorded more than 56 catches since 2011, when a Jones fracture changed his career. Welker, who is 34 with a history of concussions, played for the Broncos last year, notching 49 receptions for 464 yards and two scores.
Cruz, Beckham Planning TD Celebrations
I'm told the #Giants are working out WRs Wes Welker and Hakeem Nicks, among other players today, per their regular kick the tires Tuesday.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 29, 2015
Some may read these workouts as a lack of faith in Cruz, but it is more likely a move to add depth behind Beckham, Cruz, and the largely disappointing Rueben Randle. The Giants mistakenly cut James Jones this offseason to retain Preston Parker, whose drops and mental errors have led the G-Men to cut him already.
The Giants have targeted Beckham 29 times this year, and the next two players in targets are TE Larry Donnell, and RB Shane Vereen, before Randle checks in at 14, and half of them came his way in last week’s game. The Giants want to pass the ball, but have not had the right personnel to be effective. Cruz, provided he has regained his explosiveness, is the perfect antidote to the extensive coverage Beckham has to battle on a weekly basis.
Cruz says he’s ready physically and mentally for the challenge of NFL football again. “I don’t want to go out there and be 60 percent,” Cruz said.
Fantasy owners should probably wait this week out and see how he plays, even though Cruz has a tendency to shred Rex Ryan defenses. He’s not an option for daily fantasy owners on Sunday, because there’s too much uncertainty. If he’s available in season-long leagues, however, now’s the time to pounce. Chances are he will be putting up very big numbers with Beckham getting all the attention.
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