Victor Cruz Moving Past Reasons For Release From Giants

Former New York Giants’ wide receiver Victor Cruz signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears. Shortly before signing that deal, Cruz blamed the Giants for a lack of production last season, saying that the team phased him out of the offense. Cruz, with his new team, is now ready to prove that he can still play at a high level.

“Every day,” Cruz said at the camp, which benefits the Victor Cruz Foundation and its efforts to help local youth. "Even after a Super Bowl or after an injury-riddled two years, I always feel like I have something to prove. I’ll always strap up my laces and helmet and have something to prove, because you do.”

Last season with Big Blue, Cruz caught 39 passes for 586 yards and one touchdown. This followed 26 straight games in which Cruz did not see the field due to injuries.

"You’re only as good as your last catch, your last game, your last year of production. That is what you’re marketed as. That is what they categorize you as, whatever your last showing is on the field.”

Cruz will be back to playing in the slot this season with the Bears. After the Giants drafted Sterling Shepard last season, Cruz was forced to play more on the outside, leading to a drop in his production. After feeling that he was phased out of the Giants offense, Cruz said that he is ready to put the Giants behind him and that he has not talked to anyone from the Giants organization.

“No, I haven’t had any conversations with anyone,” Cruz said. “Everybody is underway with their programs and things they’re doing with their respective teams. Nobody has time to handle issues and for me to call and those things. We just turn the page and move on.”