John Mara On Long-Term Extension For Giants' Victor Cruz: 'It Will Get Done'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The only pressing matter remaining for the Giants this offseason -- in addition to the upcoming NFL Draft, of course -- is whether or not Victor Cruz will re-sign with Big Blue.
Giants fans have shuddered all offseason at the thought of Cruz wearing a different uniform in 2013, but maybe they shouldn't worry so much.
Their owner, for one, doesn't seem too concerned.
"It will get done at some point," Giants co-owner John Mara told reporters on Monday in regard to a long-term extension for the New Jersey native. "Just be patient."
The Giants assigned a first-round tender to the wide receiver in March. The restricted free agent didn't receive any offers from teams prior to last Friday's deadline. The other NFL clubs had the offseason to sign the 2012 Pro Bowler to an offer sheet.
With the deadline passed, the salsa-dancing fan favorite can sign the Giants' first-round tender for $2.879 million.
Cruz and the Giants' brass have reportedly been far apart in negotiations. The wide receiver is said to want $10 million per season, while the Giants are reportedly inclined to only go as far as $7 million annually. In early March, Mara said that the team made a "very substantial offer" to the playmaker.
"Let's just say if he took our offer he'd be a very wealthy young man," Mara said at the time.
The third-year player was absent from Big Blue's voluntary workout program last week.
"I don't assume anything," general manager Jerry Reese said. "When we get ready to play, we'll have a good player. I don't know if Victor will be on the team or not. If Victor's not here, we'll have other receivers. One player doesn't make your team."
Quarterback Eli Manning, who worked out with Cruz earlier this month at Duke University, told WFAN last month that he believes Cruz will be playing in New York next season.
"I do, I do, Manning said. "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."
The 6-foot-0, 204-pounder has played in all 32 regular-season games for the G-Men in his first two seasons in the league. Over that span he's caught 168 passes for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Are you buying this, Giants fans? A sure thing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below...
