Victor Cruz insists he'll make season debut Week 4 against Bills

It was nice enough that the New York Giants celebrated a joyous victory over the Washington Redskins Thursday night, but now the team has found another good reason to work on their dance steps.

While indicating over the past three weeks that his strained left calf was getting better, Victor Cruz has finally made the declaration that he's ready to bring back his salsa.

In a video Cruz posted an online video Sunday, the receiver announced that he definitely will play next Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, despite the fact that he hasn't practiced since Aug. 17.

“I'm extremely excited to start my next game, to play my first game in this young 2015 season," Cruz said in the video. "I'm excited to team up with Odell (Beckham,) man. It's gonna be fun."

Cruz was working his way back from a torn patella tendon suffered in a game at Philadelphia in 2014, which ended his season.

So far this season, Cruz has been sidelined for roughly six weeks because of a left calf strain. Last week he was running at the Giants' practice facility and ran inside MetLife Stadium Thursday before the team's win over Washington. But to declare he will play Sunday despite not yet testing out the calf in a full practice is pretty ballsy.

"I just wanted to make sure that I'm 100% before I go back out there," Cruz says in the video. "I want to be clicking on all cylinders. I want everything to be full force just to prevent another injury, you know what I mean? So I'm excited, man. I'm excited for our team. We've got a lot of talent, a lot of young kids that are ready to play and that are playing very well, as well as some veterans that are playing well and really doing their thing. And now we're coming around; everybody's getting healthy again.

“So we're excited to make this push. We know that it's a long season and we have to stay consistent throughout the season, but I'm excited to come back individually and join my team and join my teammates and be that explosive player that I once was and be that again, and be confident that I can be that again."

Cruz ended the video with an emphatic: "The return is here."

Victor Cruz creeps out Odell Beckham Jr. in new Foot Locker ad (VIDEO)

Giants fans can't be anything but excited to envision both Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr. being on the field together and catching touchdown passes from Eli Manning this season.

In 2014, Beckham took the football world by storm as he won the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, the PWFA’s Rookie of the Year and went to the Pro Bowl while making one of the most famous catches in the history of the NFL.

Meanwhile, one-time salsa-sensation Victor Cruz suffered a season ending knee injury midway though the 2014 season. He only played in six games and could only watch from the shadow of Beckham's new found fame.

Vastly different seasons, from two vastly talented receivers.

So what do these two rival teammates really think of each other?

A hilarious new Foot Locker commercial imagined the two players talking to each other, but centers on the conversations in their heads. And it's Cruz's creepy smile and inner thoughts about OBJ stealing the spotlight from him last season that will make you crack up.

Here's the dialogue — both inner and aloud:

Odell: Great having you back, Vic. You’re looking fresh. 

Victor: Looks like you were at Foot Locker, too. Anyway, can’t wait to take the field with you this year.

Inner Victor: And take back my life, which you stole. 

Odell: We’re going to have some good chemistry out there. 

Victor: Yup, it’s going to be awesome. 

Inner Victor: Speaking of chemistry, what do you put in that hair?

Odell: If you think about it, we’re lucky to be teammates. 

Inner Victor: Not as lucky as when you made that one-handed catch.

Inner Odell: I do not remember Victor being this weird.

Inner Victor (singing): I am the best, Victor is the best, no one is as good as Victor. 

Giants fans can only be thinking good things about both.

Eli Manning's arm has never been stronger says Giants QB coach

Eli Manning has pretty much played the same way over the years, but if you ask Mike Sullivan, one thing about the New York Giants quarterback has changed — and it's not those awkward facial expressions.

One thing that’s different, according to the Giants quarterbacks coach is Manning’s arm strength.

“I think his arm is very live,” Sullivan said at Giants practice on Wednesday. “I don’t think his arm has ever been stronger.”

It goes without saying that the 34-year-old Manning is a wiser, if not slower, signal caller than when Sullivan last worked with him in 2011. But physically stronger?

Now reunited with Manning again as his quarterbacks coach after more than three years, Sullivan believes he is.

"He looks like he's got a lot of zip on the football," Sullivan said. "He's worked hard to take care of his body, to work on some of his fundamentals and techniques and try to make sure he's able to do all the things necessary to get everything into his throws."

Manning said in the spring he worked with baseball coaches to develop that improvement.

And with Ben McAdoo's offense lining up with top-flight weapons like Victor Cruz and Odell Beckham Jr., it looks like this could be the year of Air Manning.

Odell Beckham Jr. bemoans being known only for 'The Catch'

Odell Beckham Jr. vaulted into the celebrity stratosphere after the remarkable one-handed catch he somehow hauled in against the Cowboys before a national television audience last season. And after an offseason of showing off his phenomenal athletic skills on social media and getting himself the cover of Madden NFL 16, the Giants' sensitive receiver still thinks his notable rookie season is being defined by one play.

Now, only a few weeks after the second-year Giant was complaining that ribbing from his New York Giants teammates during practice were starting to get under his skin, Beckham is bemoaning the fact that that one catch defined his whole season.

Beckham told ESPN:

"It's unfortunate, in a way, to be known only for 'the catch,'" he said. "There were so many other things I did during the season; it's hard for me to distinguish myself because of that catch. I know that I'm more than that. But at least people know you, you know what I mean?"

During Beckham's breakout 2014 rookie season, he caught 91 passes for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns — in only 12 games.

And the most memorable was that catch.

"When I watch it, I'm like, 'Wow, that really happened!' It's still a little crazy to me,” admitted the 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year. "I envisioned myself making some kind of catch in the end zone, but I didn't know exactly what it was going to be ... I knew that I was capable of it, but just seeing it and the reaction to it, it was by far the craziest thing that has ever happened to me."

While ODB obviously rejects the fact that the iconic catch defined his first NFL season, he better get used to it. 

Because NFL defenses — long on memory but, short on cordiality — are definitely not going to let Beckham forget about it. 

Giants content letting Eli Manning play out final year of contract: Report

The New York Giants do not seem any closer to working out a contract extension with Eli Manning than they were at the end of last season and appear quite content to let him play out the final year of his deal, according to an ESPN report.

ESPN New York's Dan Graziano reported from the league meetings in Phoenix on Sunday night that the Giants had another conversation with Manning's representatives but that, for now, there is no urgency to sign him to an extension.

Another 2004 NFL draftee, Ben Roethlisberger, recently signed a five year, $99 million extension with the Steelers but the Giants don't seem anxious to match that price.

Via ESPN New York:

According to the sources, the Giants had been keeping a close eye on the contract extension talks between the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who had only one year left on his contract before he agreed to a five-year, $99 million deal last week. The Giants believe Manning will ask for more than Roethlisberger got, and at this point they don't appear ready to make that kind of commitment.

Manning will earn $17 million in salary in 2015, and count $19.75 million against the cap, so signing him to an extension would have the immediate benefit of freeing up additional cap space. But as free agency winds down, with few big names remaining on the market, there is less urgency for the Giants to get something done with Manning.

By letting the 34-year-old Manning play out the season and by reviving contract talks next offseason, the Giants get a chance to see if the two-time Super Bowl winner is still in his prime or on a downward slide. Chances are good he will have respectable numbers like last season (63.1 completion percentage and 30 touchdowns against 14 interceptions), especially if young receivers like Odell Beckham Jr. and Victor Cruz stay healthy.

The laid-back Manning doesn't seem to have any beef about hanging in contract Limbo (at least publicly) and has strongly hinted that he wants to retire in Giants uniform.

The Giants also have the option of using the franchise tag on Manning to keep him in the mix for 2016 while they work out an extension.

Tom Coughlin tells Odell Beckham Jr. to tone down celebrations (VIDEO)

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin may have introduced a more relaxed atmosphere around his team this season, but that doesn't mean he'll tolerate any nonsense.

And it starts with Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. toning down his touchdown celebrations.

In between Beckham's elaborate touchdown dance in the first quarter and his way more subdued third-quarter touchdown celebration against the Rams, Coughlin laid down the Footloose law to his rookie sensation.

"He will tone it down," Coughlin said after the 37-27 victory where Beckham finished with eight catches for 148 yards and two touchdowns. "He will. He did."

That was after Beckham spun the football and did his trademark 'Whip' dance after his 9-yard touchdown reception when he was flagged 15 yards for taunting.

“@Court_Frilot: Odell Beckham With The "Whip" Dance🔥😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 https://t.co/e7ujoPTbcD” my mans 😂😂
— #BeGreatKev (@OBreezy33) December 22, 2014

When Beckham scored his second touchdown of the contest on an 80-yard bomb from quarterback Eli Manning, he tried to show restraint. He tossed the ball aside, shook his head 'no' at the crowd and started to put his finger to his lip to hush the Rams fans.

But Beckham thought better of it, collected the football and handed it to the official. It was the first of his 11 touchdowns this season that didn't include a dance.

"I just picked the ball up and handed it to the ref," Beckham said. "I didn't want to hear anything else. It feels good when all those big guys are running down 80 yards."

And it was a thing of beauty.

GIF: Watch Odell Beckham Jr blow past the Rams secondary on an easy 80yd TD http://t.co/LDqYD91fPY
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) December 21, 2014

Immediately after the taunting penalty, the dance-tested Coughlin called his young star over on the sideline. He wasn't happy about the end result of the celebration.

"I said something to him when it happened," Coughlin said. "When he was called for it I said something to him."

If Coughlin is back with the Giants next year, and Victor Cruz returns with his salsa shake, it looks like the old coach will do more scrutinizing than that Dancing With The Stars panel.

Victor Cruz speaks for first time since knee surgery via Instagram (VIDEO)

After all of the disheartening news during and after the New York Giants pitiful loss to the Eagles on Sunday night, the team and its fans got a little good news from none other than Victor Cruz.

For the first time since Cruz underwent surgery to repair the patellar tendon in his right knee, he spoke on an Instagram video posted on Thursday night.

Sporting an enormous brace visible on the repaired knee, Cruz said his surgery went well while thanking the doctors who worked on him, the Giants organization, his teammates and fans. 

Cruz said he'll be out of action but would be "back in no time and stringer than ever" and still attend HalloweenLand, an event thrown by his foundation on Oct. 25 in New York City.

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Thank you to everyone who has shown me so much love during this time. I'll be back in no time and stronger than ever! I've always been one to overcome adversity, so to everyone out there who is going through a minor set back don't give up! Use this time to be better and push yourself to do things you've never done before. I won't be on the field out there playing but I'll still be around for my team mates, as their captain.  I'm dedicated to our community and I'm still going to be at HalloweenLand on 10/25 @ Basketball City and I hope you all can come so I can see all of the people who are routing for me. It's your love and support that keeps me going! #BigBlue4ever

View on Instagram

Victor Cruz's knee is a 'car in a car accident' and will likely never be the same: Report

As if Sunday's night's 27-0 beating by the Eagles wasn't bad enough, the Giants woke up Monday with the knowledge that their best playmaker, Victor Cruz, would be out for the rest of the season after a freak third quarter play the night before.

And if Cruz's screams of pain after the wideout's devastating knee injury weren't enough to shield your ears, a highly-respected former doctor now says Cruz's days of salsa dancing in the end zone may be far and between in the future.

“He can return to 100%, but it (his knee) is a car in a car accident,” said Dr. David Chao, a former NFL team physician. “Never brand new when fixed.”

Cruz, who ruptured his right patellar tendon on Sunday, was transferred from Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia on Monday to the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, where he underwent surgery performed by Dr. Russell Warren. The Giants said the procedure was “successful.”

Cruz’s injury, rare among NFL skill position players, is the kind that could rob him of what makes him truly dangerous: his explosive change-of-direction ability. 

When he left the field on Sunday, he was unable to straighten his knee, the result of the tendon rupture that sent his kneecap traveling upwards and out of place. And while a handful of NFL players have returned from this injury, none have returned to their truly elite form.

“Studies show full return,” Chao said in general. “Of course there’s no way to measure explosive (ability) objectively.”

According to the N.Y. Daily News:

A patellar tendon rupture cannot be repaired arthroscopically, so it requires a massive open procedure, and such surgeries instantly have a lengthy and painful rehab.

For six weeks after the surgery, the joint must be immobilized, likely in a cast, so it can heal, and in that time, the surrounding muscles, unused for more than a month, will gradually degrade.

Those must be rebuilt, mechanics must be retrained, and it will likely be six months (into mid-April) before Cruz can attempt to run again, let alone make the cuts and jukes that left cornerbacks grasping at air.

In 2011, the American Journal of Sports Medicine released a study of 22 NFL players with patellar tendon ruptures between 1994 and 2004, and it found that it’s possible for players to return. But the study defined a “success” as any player who only appeared in a game post-surgery, and it couldn’t quantify whether players retained their once explosive skills.

“(It’s) harder and more painful early recovery than ACL,” said Chao, referring to the most common serious knee injury in the NFL.

Victor Cruz's screams told Giants, Eagles players his injury was serious (VIDEO)

It didn't take a doctor's report to tell Giants and Eagles players on the field what occurred in the third quarter of Sunday night’s game. It came from a sound that was something that Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin admitted he won’t ever forget. 

They were the screams that came from Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz after he wrecked his knee on a freak play.

Cruz ruptured the patella tendon in his right knee when he jumped for a fourth-down pass in the corner of the end zone. And the players immediately knew it was serious when he came down clutching the twisted joint.

“He was screaming, like really screaming, not like ‘ahhh.’ But screaming at the top of his lungs,” Boykin said. “When you do hear a professional NFL player scream like that, you know it’s a serious injury.”

It was so bad that Giants quarterback Eli Manning couldn’t even offer words of encouragement to his friend. In this situation, it wouldn’t have helped. Manning had to just watch as the sobbing Cruz was carted off the field.

“It was tough to say anything to him,” he said. “I went there and patted him on the shoulder, but he was in some pain and it wasn’t a great opportunity. Anything I would have said, he wouldn’t have heard me.”

Cruz’s season is over. Knee injuries are nothing new to the Giants star — but patella tendon injuries can ruin careers.

Giants fans can now only wish for Cruz's successful recovery and hope to see his salsa dances once again.

Victor Cruz does first TD salsa dance in 12 games (VIDEO)

Victor Cruz caught a touchdown pass at home for the first time since 2012 against the Texans Sunday.

The Giants wideout also had his streak of 12 straight games without a TD salsa dance broken after this 26-yard catch-and-run from Eli Manning.

Check out the nifty little move he added after the catch:

Victor Cruz first TD in 12 games #FantasyFootball https://t.co/ko0kcUy6Y9
— AnJuan Boldin (@JuanElway) September 21, 2014

Matt Simms does salsa dance and Victor Cruz is down with it (VIDEO)

Matt Simms’ rendition of the salsa may not have measured up with Victor Cruz's trademark celebration, but the Giants receiver won't take anything away from his rival Jet player's fun.

Even the ref had to drop his head and laugh at Simms' stiff moves after throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass Friday night at MetLife Stadium.

Cruz has a history of getting a little miffed when opposing players mock his salsa dance, but apparently Simms is free to hip shake whenever he wants. Maybe it's because the two Jersey guys occasionally work out together. 

"That's my guy," Cruz said. "Me and him, we train a little bit in the offseason together. He throws me a couple passes here and there when I need a quarterback over there with my trainer. He's good. He's a good dude."

Simms claims it was a spur-of-the-moment celebration and was not meant as an insult to his workout partner.

Or maybe it unintentionally was.

Victor Cruz honors young victim of Sandy Hook once again (PHOTO)

Just as he did last year — and one year and one day after the unspeakable tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School — Victor Cruz didn't forget his biggest fan.

As the New York Giants' receiver took the field before Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium, Cruz had the name of Jack Pinto written on his cleats. Pinto was 6 years old when, on Dec. 14, 2012, a gunman burst into his school and killed him and 19 of his classmates, along with six adults. He was buried a few days later wearing a Victor Cruz jersey.

Cruz honored Pinto's memory at a Giants game two days after the shooting by writing Pinto's name on his cleats and gloves. On Sunday morning, he Tweeted a picture of the cleats he is wearing for the Giants game against the Seahawks. It had "Jack Pinto" written on one cleat, "Never forget" written on the other. And "My Hero" written across the two heels.

Cruz had promised to do something for Pinto and his family earlier this week. He also recounted his emotional trip to Newtown, Conn. to meet with the Pinto family and some of their friends and neighbors last year, just four days after Jack was killed. 

Victor Cruz on Mariners deal: 'It's a good day for Robinson Cano'

Victor Cruz was among the first big names to join Jay Z's Roc Nation agency and —with the rapper turned sports agent's influence — was the beneficiary of a five-year, $43 million extension with the New York Giants. But even Cruz had to take pause from preparing for his game against the Chargers upon hearing about Robinson Cano's huge $240 million deal with the Seattle Mariners.

“It’s a good day for Robinson Cano,” said Cruz, who along with Cano is  represented by Jay Z's burgeoning sports management agency. “He deserved every bit of that money and every bit of that contract. So hopefully he goes to Seattle and does some good things for that organization.”

Cano rocked the sports world on Friday after agreeing to the 10-year, $240 million deal with the Mariners — a deal apparently orchestrated by Jay Z.

“I’m ecstatic,” Cruz said. “I know [Cano] personally. He’s a good dude, he’s a great guy. I’m happy he was able to get the deal I know he wanted.”

Cruz said his agent, Tom Condon, did most of the work on extension with the Giants, but admitted Cano’s contract was a “big day” for Jay Z and the company.

“I think it’s a stepping-stone. It’s just proof that anything can be done if you put your mind to it and have the type of backing and type of people that you have around you that do the right thing and understand the business,” Cruz said. “It’s a true testament to the way (Jay Z) does his business and the way he goes about it — the right way.”

The Cano contract should help establish Roc Nation as a major force in the world of sports representation and enhance its image in the eyes other big name athletes.

“I think it’s a smart move to be able to choose and go with what you feel is right and go with the organization that you feel is the right one for you and your mold and your brand,” Cruz said. “I think that was the most important part for myself and Robinson Cano.”

Cruz said he would congratulate both Cano and Jay Z via text, but the New Jersey native isn't ready to trade in his Yankee cap for a Mariner one.

“I’ll be Yankees through and through,” Cruz said. “But I’m definitely a Robinson fan. I hope he does well.”

Justin Tuck threatens to 'punch in the mouth' anyone who turns on Coughlin

The second-guessing may have started in the New York Giants locker room — a disheartening indication that the team's season could be slowly slipping away and the first sign of discord under Tom Coughlin's reign since the Tiki Barber years.

“Right now, we are as low as you can get,” defensive end Justin Tuck said after a lifeless  31-7 loss to the Chiefs Sunday.

The Giants’ first 0-4 start in a non-strike year since 1979 is not entirely Coughlin’s fault. He was given an aging roster with little depth by general manager Jerry Reese and the Giants have endured a debilitating number of injuries. Reese is as much to blame as Coughlin —maybe more.

And, outside of Victor Cruz publicly questioning Coughlin's fourth-down call against the Chiefs, the team has not turned on Coughlin outright — yet.

One Giant who says speaking up against Coughlin is akin to fighting words is Tuck

“If anyone turns on our coach, I would be the first one to punch him in the mouth,” Justin Tuck told the N.Y. Daily News. “And put that in print. It better not happen, I know that.”

The play in question was a third-and-17 from the Giants 14. Eli Manning connected with Cruz for what initially was ruled a first down. Andy Reid challenged the spot and after the review the officials placed the ball at the 30-and-a-half yard line. Cruz needed to get to the 31. Coughlin made the right decision punting down by just three deep in his own end. Imagine the second-guessing if he had gone for it and missed and the Chiefs quickly traveled the short field for a touchdown.

Tuck admitted on the sideline, “Every defensive player wanted him to go for it. That is why we probably will never be coaches. That would have been a stupid move. Even if you get it, it would still be a stupid move.”

Cruz, who had scored on a 69-yard TD pass from Manning in the second quarter, claims he wasn't second-guessing Coughlin's call — only saying he wanted to stay on the field.

“I thought we should have gone for it on that fourth down,” Cruz said. “It’s coach’s call at the end of the day.”

From their own 30 down three?

“If it was me? Yes. Because we had the momentum,” Cruz said. “I felt it was a yard, not even a yard, half a yard, we’ve got to take a risk at some point and make something happen.”

If the Giants lose against the Eagles Sunday, some thing is bound to happen.

Victor Cruz wears walking boot, still confident of Week 1 return

As Victor Cruz got ready to meet the media Tuesday, he tried to paint a pretty picture for Giants fans despite the sight of the star wideout hobbling on crutches and in a walking boot. Cruz was upbeat and confident he will be ready for Week 1 in Dallas, but coach Tom Coughlin sounded less enthusiastic.

"Why does everybody look so sad?" Cruz asked as he limped up to the podium before yesterday’s practice. The result of a left heel injury suffered Sunday night against the Colts.

It seems likely Cruz will miss the rest of the preseason, but claimed he will be ready to practice the week leading up to the Sept. 8 opener against the Cowboys.

"Hopefully, I can be back before then," he said. "But I do see myself, envision myself out here on the practice field, getting ready for that Cowboys game, getting ready to go down to Texas to play those guys. That’s what I do envision."

Coughlin poured a bucket of cold reality on Cruz's self-diagnosis.

"Hopefully it’s not going to be a long time. Who knows? I don’t know that," said Coughlin. "He feels better from one day to the next, which is a good thing. Now if you look at him you say, ‘Oh, my God, he’s on crutches and a boot.’ So they’re doing all kinds of stuff to make sure that he doesn’t put any pressure on it. But he did feel better."

After signing a six-year, $45.9 million deal before training camp, Cruz got hurt three plays into Sunday’s 20-12 preseason loss to the Colts when he went for a deep ball from Eli Manning and cornerback Greg Toler committed interference and then landed on top of Cruz.

"On the way down, the defender’s weight landed on top of mine on one single foot. I felt it go numb and knew something was wrong immediately," Cruz said. "The MRI just showed some blood in there in the area where the swelling is, and that was about it. No tear, nothing wrong with the bone. Everything’s fine, which is a good sign, which is what I was worried about."

Cruz's MRI was reassuring.

"No tear, nothing wrong with the bone," he said. "Everything’s fine, which was a good sign, which was what I was worried about. Even though I didn’t hear anything pop, but you just never know with any injuries. I was happy about that. I’m just on the road to recovery"

Cruz is wearing the boot and using the crutches to keep weight off his foot.

"It’s all about getting better at this point," he said. "I think I have a firm understanding of the offense and me and Eli have an understanding of how he likes to hit me and the things we do out there on the field. I’m not too concerned about it. Obviously, I’m a guy that loves to practice, loves to be out there, but it’s just a short setback. You would never want to have one, but if there’s a time to have one, it’s now."

The Giants sent those MRI exam results to a specialist to confirm the initial diagnosis of a bruised heel, according to ESPN. After seeing Cruz’s fellow starting wideout Hakeem Nicks hobbled for much of last year, the Giants weren't taking any chances.

"I think it’s an injury where it’s predominantly the swelling that’s the issue, and once the swelling goes down, I think I’ll be OK," Cruz said. "I just want to be smart and want to make sure I’m 100 percent when I’m out there, and make sure that all the swelling is gone and ... attack it early. I don’t see it lingering or anything long-term with it. I feel good. I feel better than yesterday, which is a good sign."

Cruz will probably miss the final two preseason games and considerable practice time. Rueben Randle is most likely to step into his role as a starter. Playing on the outside yesterday at practice, Randle caught a pair of long touchdowns in 11-on-11 scrimmages.

"That’s what preseason is all about: opportunity. And opportunity is there,’’ Coughlin said. “Also hopefully we get to the game with Jernigan, [Brandon] Collins, those kind of people ready to contribute also. So it’ll be a great chance for them also."

Cruz explains shortened salsa dance: 'It's just preseason, so I didn't want to two-step'

New York Giants wideout Victor Cruz missed almost everything the team did this off season because  he didn't have a contract and, according to head coach Tom Coughlin, came to camp a little "rusty."

Now Cruz has a $43 million contract but might still have a little lingering rust in his joints — at least when it comes to his post-touchdown dancing.

After completing 57-yard TD catch-and-run from Eli Manning, Victor Cruz started his salsa celebration and then waved his hands and cut short the dance. It had fans wondering what gives?

"Yeah, it’s just preseason so I didn’t want to two-step, I didn’t want to give it the full gambit just yet just because it’s the preseason,'' Cruz said after the Giants' 18-13 preseason opening victory over the Steelers. "The salsa is still going strong.''

The vintage catch-and-run by Cruz spiced up what was a pretty pedestrian outing by the G-Men.  Even though Cruz' dance lacked his usual flair, he looked like he's shaken off most of the rust otherwise.

"I think [Polamalu] was thinking I was going to break off the route, so I just went vertical and Eli threw a great pass to me that I was able to take in for the touchdown," Cruz said. "It’s great to be on the same page with your quarterback, and Eli and I work hard on that. When things are clicking, you really get the results you want."

Cruz can do the Charleston for all Giants fans care — as long as he and Eli still waltz together like that a couple times a game.

Victor Cruz will sign long-term deal with Giants: Report

Is that salsa music coming from MetLife Stadium?  You bet it is.

Popular New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will reportedly sign a long-term deal before the start of training camp on July 26, according to league sources.

And it couldn't be too soon for the Big Blue offense.

Terms of the deal have been agreed upon by both sides and only the final details remain to be worked out, reports ESPN.  No obstacles are expected to squash the deal.

Monday night, Cruz tweeted: "Good things come to those who wait."

Last month, Cruz signed his one-year, $2.879 million free-agent tender which got the ball rolling.

Negotiations between the two sides have been friendly and a long-deal contract had been expected to be agreed upon before training camp. 

The 26-year-old Cruz is said to be seeking a deal worth between $9 million and $11 million per season, the market rate for a No. 1 wide receiver. This offseason, Mike Wallace signed a five-year, $60 million deal with Miami that includes $27 million guaranteed.

The Giants reportedly offered Cruz a contract paying him roughly $8 million per season with between $15 million to $18 million guaranteed.

Cruz, an undrafted free agent out of UMass, has had a meteoric rise to stardom in his own backyard. In the past two seasons, the New Jersey native has caught 168 passes for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns.

He’s the only player in club history to have at least 80 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in a season and he's done it twice.

Good things come to those who wait.
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 2, 2013

Cruz burst onto the NFL scene when he caught three touchdowns in a 2010 preseason game against the Jets. But he was injured early in the regular season and was placed on injured reserve that season. 

He made his first Pro Bowl last season.

Victor Cruz caught in middle of nightclub raid

Victor Cruz had his dance card shortened the other night after cops raided a Manhattan night club where the New York Giants receiver was celebrating with friends after signing a new tender with the team last week.

Cruz was reportedly in the wrong place at the wrong time, according to The New York Post, when the NYPD came down on the Meatpacking hot spot Stash, located below Snap sports bar on West 14th Street at 1:30 Friday morning.

“Victor was at a table surrounded by a group of friends and some girls,” a witness told Page Six of The Post. “He was ordering Champagne for everyone, partying, having a good time, but then the police came in and stopped the party.” We’re told police were “ID-ing everyone, shining flashlights all over the place. It was a very uncomfortable situation,” continues our spy. “Cruz had to sit idly by and seemed very awkward and nervous.” 

Bar owner Matthew Isaacs confirms Cruz was there but tells us the police raid was just a routine inspection that happens about every six months.

 “It’s a shame because it was a really good party, but they had to turn out the lights, which makes people file out to other places in the neighborhood,” the witness said.

That was one Big Blue line sweeping the bar that Cruz probably wishes had names like Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul.

Hakeem Nicks arrives for Giants mini-camp after skipping OTAs

Is that a smile you see on Eli Manning's face? You bet it is.

Hakeem Nicks finally showed his own face as the Giants prepare for their mandatory three-day mini-camp at their Timex Performance Center facility Tuesday morning and you know nobody was happier than the Giants quarterback to see his M.I.A. receiver.

This was the expected course of action for Nicks, who irked coach Tom Coughlin by not showing up for any of the team’s organized activities the past two weeks, after telling Coughlin he would be there.

The OTAs were voluntary — and Nicks could not be fined for missing them — but Manning was hoping he could get an early jump on the season by working out with his favorite target this spring. 

Nicks would have incurred fines totaling $66,150 if he were to miss all three days of the mandatory camp .

"I should have done a better job of reaching out to him [Coughlin]," admitted Nicks.  "But I'm here now."

Nicks is coming off arthroscopic left knee surgery and was not going to do much, if anything on the field at the OTAs or this minicamp. It remains to be seen if he practices at all the next three days. Last year, Nicks broke his right foot in an OTA practice. He is entering the last year of his contract.

Victor Cruz is not going to attend this camp. He cannot be fined because he is not under contract and still trying to hammer out a deal.

One waltz down and one more salsa to go.

Victor Cruz's locker remains empty ... and messy ... twitter.com/RVacchianoNYDN…
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) June 11, 2013

Eli Manning disappointed in absence of Cruz and Nicks at OTAs

It's very rare that you find Eli Manning wearing his feelings on his sleeve but it doesn't mean the New York Giants quarterback won't express disappointment with just a few words.

That's the notion teammates are getting after neither of Manning's favorite targets — Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks — have shown up for any of the Giants' off-season workouts at the Giants' organized team activities (OTAs).

Manning, who has had to settle for throwing mostly to backup receivers, is sounding more and more unhappy about it as time wears on.

"I was just really hoping (the Duke workouts) would be a little starter course to the spring, not a substitute for what we’re doing on the field right now," Manning said after the Giants’ final OTA on Thursday. "This is stuff where we’re getting to go against cornerbacks. You get to work your technique."

By the Duke workouts, Manning is referring to the private practices Eli and his brother Peyton held at Duke University in April, under the attentive eye of Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe, who was Eli’s head coach at Ole Miss and Peyton’s offensive coordinator at Tennessee. Each quarterback invited three receivers from their NFL teams. Eli was joined by newly signed Louis Murphy, Nicks and Cruz.

That was two months ago.