The Facts: Cruz has expressed a desire to sign a long-term deal with his hometown team many times, and the Giants have said they intend to keep him. That’s why, as the Daily News reported two weeks ago, the Giants offered Cruz a long-term deal worth $7 million annually, which one NFL source added included more than $20 million guaranteed. But several sources said his asking price was closer to $10 million-$11 million per year, which is about the going rate for a No. 1 receiver in the NFL.

Diehards Line:With the two sides not close, the Giants gave Cruz a “first-round tender” before the free-agent market opened in early March, which would get him a salary of $2.879 million 2013 if he signs it. Meanwhile, Cruz is expected to soon become the next high-profile New York athlete to join forces with Jay Z’s new sports agency (which is associated with CAA), according to two NFL sources familiar with Cruz’s plans. Cruz, a restricted free agent, fired agent Malik Shareef last month and signed with CAA’s Tom Condon, one of the most powerful agents in the NFL. The move came after Cruz and the Giants spent more than a year haggling over a long-term contract and never came close to a deal. The Giants, one source told the Daily, believe that Condon will continue to represent Cruz in talks with the team regardless of any deal he signs with Jay-Z to handle his other business activities. ... Stay tuned.