The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... Cruz, who has scored 19 touchdowns the past two seasons, is a restricted free agent but hopes to sign a long-term deal with the team. After playing for the NFL minimums the past three years, Cruz won’t come cheap, not after two outstanding seasons by a 26-year-old on the upside of his career. His asking price is expected to be somewhere between $8 million and $10 million per year.
Diehards Line:Cruz made $540,000 this season and the last two years he has been the greatest bargain in the league. Cruz is set to become a restricted free agent and as New York Post staffer Paul Schwartz notes, he’s not going anywhere, as the Giants know they cannot operate their offense without his skills at receiver. Cruz is one of 22 free agents for the Giants to sort through but he figures to be a top priority. Fellow receiver Hakeem Nicks was slowed all season with foot and ankle issues, allowing opposing defenses to swing the attention to Cruz. Still, he caught 86 passes for 1,092 yards and 10 touchdowns, all team highs. He hasn’t missed a game in two years.