If you ask any fantasy football owner, they will tell you that New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz has quickly become one of the premiere players in the NFL. Now, he wants to be paid like it. According to the New York Daily News on Feb. 1, Cruz wants a big raise from the Giants.
The Giants and Criz are currently working on a new contract but the talks have stalled, with Giants owner John Mara saying that the player wants too much money right now. Despite being a Pro Bowl receiver with two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, Mara said there is a limit with any player.
“You have a salary cap,” Mara said in New Orleans. “If you spend too much money in him, it’s going to limit what you can do in other areas."
He then said they have a year to figure it out and blamed Cruz's agent for the high expectations. However, Cruz has not ruled out a holdout if he doesn't get what he feels he deserves. If the two sides don't reach an agreement by March 12, Cruz will become a restricted few agent and get a first round pick from any team that tries to sign him.
Contract Information
Cruz has caught 164 passes for 2,576 yards and 18 touchdowns over the past two seasons, while playing in every regular season game for New York. He was one of their key stars in their Super Bowl winning 2011 season as well. Cruz is currently playing under his rookie three-year, $1.215 million contract. He made $490,000 in 2012.
Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys is playing on a five-year, $11.810 million contract and is scheduled to make $1.557 million in 2013. He caught 151 passes for 2,239 yards and 21 touchdowns in the last two seasons, while making $845,000 more in 2012 than Cruz. Dallas missed the playoffs both seasons, and Cruz helped the Giants eliminate the Cowboys from playoff possibilities in 2011.
Victor Cruz deserves a new contract, but the amount has to be worked out. While Cruz wants a big raise, New York needs to do what is best for the team. Whether or not those two things can line up will be determined this summer.
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