Heading into this season you probably would’ve had to look pretty hard to find someone who thought an undrafted wide receiver out of the University of Massachusetts named Victor Cruz would lead the New York Giants in receptions (82), receiving yards (1,536), and receiving touchdowns (9). Hakeem Nicks was coming off an impressive 2010 season and Mario Manningham finished the regular season with 3 consecutive 100-yard receiving games and was expected to build on that this year. Manningham didn’t have the season many expected. Nicks posted respectable numbers (76 catches, 1,192 yards, 7 TD’s). But it was Cruz who ended up being the larger beneficiary of Eli Manning’s almost 5,000 yards and 29 touchdowns.
While Cruz was getting recognition for torching opposing secondaries he was also gaining popularity for his end zone celebration.
It was only a matter of time before ABC’s Dancing With The Stars came calling but Cruz politely said, “Thanks but no thanks”.
“Probably a no,” Cruz said. “Definitely a no. Because I just want to be focused on football and focused on what’s to come. I’m just not at the point in my career where I feel like I need to do that.”
Cruz said ABC would have wanted him “like March through June or May or something like that,” and the time commitment was just too rigorous for him to strongly consider it.
“They said it was like 20 hours a week or something like that,” he said. “I was like, ‘I’m not down, I’m not down with that.’ We’re in the postseason, that’s like 18 weeks. I’ve had enough practice.”
Being on DWTS probably would’ve increased Cruz’s popularity more than it already is but props to him for wanting to use the time to better himself as a football player. Cruz as a better player means more dancing in the end zone and more wins for the Giants. He’ll have plenty of time for DWTS and reportedly wouldn’t be against it in the future. If you don’t want to wait till then to see him dance you can tune in to FOX tomorrow at 1:00 EST to see Cruz and the Giants face the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta gave up 25 passing touchdowns during the regular season so there’s a decent chance Cruz could catch one.
P.S. Victor Cruz should have been voted to the Pro Bowl.
No comments:
Post a Comment