Tuck won’t miss Cruz till Week 1
JUSTIN TUCK had said it would’ve been a “good faith” move for Victor Cruz to put aside his contract differences with the Giants and show up for the start of the offseason workout program.
But he was neither surprised nor concerned when the unsigned star receiver didn’t take his advice.
“At the end of the day, I don’t care if he misses all the workout program,” Tuck said Tuesday night. “As long as he’s there on . . . what day do we open up? . . . That Sunday. Whatever day that is, if I see No. 80 with the New York Giants, then I’m cool with that. Because I know him and Eli (Manning) have great rapport, and it won’t take those guys long to figure things out.”
It’s still a good bet Cruz will return long before the season opener in September, but Cruz is a restricted free agent and has until Friday to solicit offers from other teams.
Some NFL sources believe Cruz will arrive next week, after that deadline passes. But Cruz still hasn’t signed his “first-round” tender — worth $2.879 million — nor has he commented on his absence or his intentions. According to several sources, he had been seeking a long-term deal worth an average of $10 million per season, while the Giants’ last offer averaged $7 million per year.
Tuck, speaking at a dinner at Umberto’s in New Hyde Park that benefitted his R.U.S.H. for Literacy Charity, said he had hoped Cruz would be there for Day 1 of the “voluntary” workout program.
“But obviously you want a guy there. He’s a big reason for any success we’re going to have this year, so you want him to be there. But if not, it gives the younger guys opportunities to get more reps. It could help us either way.”
GET IT RIGHT
Jason Pierre-Paul expressed his frustration over the Giants’ roller-coaster 2012 season and suggested a little more focus might help Big Blue avoid a similar fate in 2013. “We can’t BS around this year,” JPP said. “The falling down and going up, that sucks, you know what I mean? Because it’s like every year it happens. Every year.”
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The Giants will likely need a DE or a LB in next week’s draft, and that may depend on which position Mathias Kiwanuka plays next season. Tuck hopes his old linemate will be moving back to defensive end. He also knows that’s what Kiwanuka is hoping, too.
“I think that’s what he wants to play,” Tuck said. “Obviously if you ask Mathias to play fullback he’ll run to do it. He’s that type of guy. He just wants to do what’s best for the team. But I know his heart is set on playing D-end and I think that’s what he’d be successful the most in.”