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Giants' Manning Works Out With Victor Cruz At Duke

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Peyton Manning-Wes Welker connection has garnered most of the headlines out of Duke. But here in New York, it's all about Big Blue.

The other Manning brother -- you know, Eli, the one with two rings -- is working out this week with Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe, too.

And guess what? He brought Victor Cruz with him.

The quarterback said Cruz, a restricted free agent, "wants everything to get finished and be with the Giants and get back to work."

"It's great to get him for a few days," Manning said of the wide receiver, according to ESPN.

The Giants have the right to match any offer sheet to Cruz, who wants a significant raise. New York will get a first-round pick as compensation if the 26-year-old native of Paterson, N.J., signs elsewhere. Teams have until April 19 to make an offer.

Cruz's first-round tender is worth $2.879 million, which would be torn up if the Giants can negotiate a new long-term deal.

Manning told WFAN radio last month he believes Cruz will be playing in New York next season.

"I do, I do. I think (that's) what I have to believe and what I want to believe, just because he's such an important part of our offense," he said.

The Giants' leading receiver for the past two seasons, Cruz emerged from obscurity in 2011 to set a franchise record with 1,536 yards. He followed that up with 1,092 yards in 2012.

Manning also brought along wideouts Hakeem Nicks and Louis Murphy, according to ESPN.

Cutcliffe was Manning's coach at Ole Miss.

Just pay the man already? Giants fans, sound off on the Cruz situation in the comments!

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