APWhen Victor Cruz finished his college career at UMass two years ago, the NFL didn’t think he was good enough to get an invitation to Indianapolis for the Scouting Combine. That was a slight miscalculation.
Cruz may not have been good enough to do the three-cone drill at Lucas Oil Stadium, but he’ll be one of the best players on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium on Super Bowl Sunday. But Cruz, who signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent and made the team after a strong preseason, said today that he doesn’t hold any hard feelings to the folks who didn’t think he was good enough two years ago.
“Being from a small school, I understand how that whole thing goes,” Cruz said. “I wasn’t 6-foot-5, 220 pounds or I didn’t have off-the-wall statistics, so I understood how that whole thing goes. I’d rather be here for the Super Bowl now than the Combine.”
Cruz said he never viewed the lack of an invitation to the Combine as a sign that he couldn’t make it in the NFL.
“I just knew whatever opportunities were in front of me, whether it be Pro Day, Combine, or whatever it was, I just had to make the best of it,” he said. “I just did the best I could and was fortunate enough to open up some minds.”
The Giants are fortunate that someone in their scouting department thought Cruz had enough talent to merit an offer as an undrafted free agent. And the Giants were smart to keep him after his great preseason as a rookie. Just two years after Cruz was one of the best receivers in the Colonial Athletic Association, Cruz is now one of the best receivers in the NFL.
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Not a Giants fan but you can mark me down as a fan of Victor Cruz.
It’s nice to see a guy believe in himself and become one of the most exciting players in the game. He plays the game with a refreshing exuberance.
Cruz is a baller
The draft is a crap shoot. Fast food Russell goes 1st overall. Brady goes in the 6th rounds and Cruz goes undrafted.
Giants fans are happy nobody else had the chance to see what Cruz could do.
I see a disney movie in the making
Makes you wonder how many other potential stars are going unnoticed…does there need to be a better way of determining combine-worthy athletes?
GO BIG BLUE!!!
I am a Pats’ fan, and I love it when some guy like this proves everyone (or most everyone) wrong.
As a non-partial observer, Hakeem Nicks is even better. Best twosome in the NFL.
Stories like his are very inspiring for those that aren’t superstars. It makes it so easy to cheer for him. Glad he’s a Giant.
the giants are the world chumps
I just think what if no one would have claimed him. Would he have ever gotten his chance?
Then you have to wonder if that has actually happened to someone else.
Way to be victor !!
I see a movie in the making like the 1976 eagles !!
Nicks is more talented, but Cruz’s pedigree (or lack thereof) gets him the love. But they are both special players in this offense. And they’re so young and can be productive Giants for the next 10 years. Dangerous!
I’m glad to see Cruz doing so well for himself. He definitely came from a tough area. He didn’t give up and kept on working hard. He made plays in Training Camp of 2010 and had his breakout during the Jets game. Now he has himself a break-out year. Great job Cruz, keep it up and continue to be yourself. It’s great to see late round picks and undrafted players doing big things. Quite a few in this Super Bowl.
The draft is a crap shoot. Fast food Russell goes 1st overall. Brady goes in the 6th rounds and Cruz goes undrafted.
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A crap shoot? Hardly. Russell and Brady are what you call exceptions. Those are the only examples you got.
Welker, Woodhead, BenJarvis Green-Ellis were all undrafted guys too and I don’t think any of them got a combine invite, unless it was BJGE.
Nice to hear abo.ut guys than can do that
Here’s hoping the Giants will CRUZ to victory!
Cruz is a stud. The Giants have one of the best receiving corps in the league. Imagine if Hixon can stay healthy.
Gotta love those kind of pick ups
Steelers live on that
just goes to show nfl scouts r wrong half the time on a player. 40 yard dash is overated. just ask antonio cromartie as he chased cruz 99 yards
Just tone down the end zone dancing a little. I see a diva in the making.
Can’t wait to see Ocho do the salsa dance after his 1st touchdown…
He went undrafted in my fantasy league and I should be credited by diving in head first and adding him to my roster.
I’m a beast! woot woot
donny1rodriguez says:
Jan 30, 2012 8:17 PM
The draft is a crap shoot. Fast food Russell goes 1st overall. Brady goes in the 6th rounds and Cruz goes undrafted.
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A crap shoot? Hardly. Russell and Brady are what you call exceptions. Those are the only examples you got.
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I wouldn’t call the draft a crap shoot, but it’s definitely an inexact science. Since 2000, Charles Rogers, Troy Williamson, Joey Harrington, David Carr, Jonathan Sullivan, Pacman Jones are just a few of the highly drafted busts.
Wes Welker, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Victor Cruz, James Harrison, Antonio Gates, Arian Foster were all undrafted in the same timeframe.
As a Cowboy fan, I must admit, I like Cruz and his story. I remember he started showing up on the “scene” during a preseason game last year (approx 160 yds), but went on the practice squad. It’s cool he is playing in the NFL in his backyard. I hope he slows it down next year, at least twice a year.
I’m rooting for Cruuuuuzzzzzz…
makes you wonder about how many other talented guys are out there that never got a legit shot.
For just once, I would love to see spike lee wear a white man’s jersey.
He’s become a great player but please stop the feminine dancing.
abninf says:
Jan 30, 2012 9:28 PM
Just tone down the end zone dancing a little. I see a diva in the making
Not a diva in the making just one very happy young man who is living his dream.
You must not follow the team the divas play in philly and dallas
VC is just a young man who wakes up every morning and gets to play in the NFL.
And the dancing is to honor his grandmother
Let me guess this straight Pats fans.
You’re telling me Chad Johnson is going to walk into Indy, with ZERO confidence, and light the Giants up because WE ARE UNPREPARED for him?!?!
Yes, that sounds just like Tom Coughlin to not consider all of Tom and Bill’s weapons, and discredit their offense in anyway.
Are you people morons up there?!
buzzbissinger says:
Jan 30, 2012 9:43 PM
Can’t wait to see Ocho do the salsa dance after his 1st touchdown…
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The only dancing Chad Johnson will be doing is if he has Cruz in a fantasy league or something. Or picking up on Vic’s moves, because Chad won’t be catching any passes, much LESS a touchdown.
donny1rodriguez says:
Jan 30, 2012 8:17 PM
The draft is a crap shoot. Fast food Russell goes 1st overall. Brady goes in the 6th rounds and Cruz goes undrafted.
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A crap shoot? Hardly. Russell and Brady are what you call exceptions. Those are the only examples you got.
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All you got? Hardly. Whether the draft is a crap shoot depends on your scouting staff. Cases:
1994: Round 1 Redskins = Heath Shuler
Undrafted = Kurt Warner, Jeff Garcia
1995: Round 1 RBs: KiJana Carter, Tyrone Wheatley, Napolean Kaufman, James Stewart
Undrafted = Terrell Davis
1998: Round 1 = Ryan Leaf
Undrafted & in THIS YEAR’s Pro Bowl: London Fletcher, David Akers, Jeff Saturday.
The examples go on forever…
Went to school with this guy at UMASS. We weren’t friends but hung with some of the same people.. A real humble guy back then.. Very happy for his success.