New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz just signed a five year contract extension, has some of the best hands in the NFL and has appeared on a few commercials in the past couple months. However, if you ask him, he’s not the Giants No. 1 receiver, according to NFL.com. Cruz gave that honor to fellow receiver Hakeem Nicks.
Cruz appeared on NFL Network’s “NFL AM” Monday to discuss what his battery mate means to the Giants.
"I think the No. 1 wideout is Hakeem Nicks,” Cruz said. "I mean, he's been here longer, he understands this offense. He's our big-play guy, he's on the outside. So I definitely think he's our No. 1 receiver, there's no doubt about it."
Cruz has been lobbying for his teammate to get a good offer from the Giants this offseason. However, he said that receivers deserve to be properly paid no matter which spot they take on the field.
"I do think we've been undervalued; I think it definitely signifies a change in the game," the UMass product said. " ... I think the numbers are the numbers and they have to be scaled according to the tops in the league no matter where you line up on the field."
Nicks has the potential to be a great wide receiver, but he’s been plagued by injury throughout his four-year career. According to ESPN.com, he suffered discomfort in his knee for a majority of 2012. Most recently, he has had to stay out of team drills due to tightness in his groin, reported the New York Daily News.
Nicks had a subpar season last year with only three touchdowns, 53 receptions and 692 yards. If Eli Manning and the Giants wish to return to Super Bowl form, they will need Nicks to be at least relatively healthy.
