Super Bowl Champion Optimistic About an NY Giants Breakthrough
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
This week, the New York Giants hosted one of their most notable wide receivers of this era of football. New Jersey native Victor Cruz was back around the team and got an early sense of what his former squad could look like during the 2025 NFL season.
Although Cruz admitted to the New York Post that he "started to get the bug back" being on the field, the 38-year-old former pass-catcher had to put his analyst lens on instead of his cleats.
Based on what he saw, Cruz is optimistic about the 2025 NY Giants. Although it's early, the one-time Super Bowl Champion got a positive sense of what the roster could do when they get to the regular season.
"I think we have a good team," Cruz said, via The Post. "I think for the first time, [head coach Brian Daboll] has a team in a draft that you could feel he wrapped his arms around. These are his guys and we'll see how he develops them and, and get them ready to play."
Since joining the Giants in 2022, Daboll has just one winning season. During his first season in charge, the Giants went 9-7. They faced the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the playoffs, pulling off an upset and winning 31-24 on the road.
Victor Cruz #80 of the New York Giants in action against Nolan Carroll #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Victor Cruz #80 of the New York Giants in action against Nolan Carroll #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Once the Giants stepped foot in rival territory to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, that's where the run ended. The Eagles defeated the Giants 38-7.
In the following season, the Giants finished the year with a 6-11 record. Although they third in the NFC East for the second year in a row, the losing record prevented them from going to the playoffs that time around. Last year was Daboll's worst year yet. With a 3-14 record, the Giants finished last in the NFC East and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
New York made some big moves in the offseason, notably adding multiple veteran quarterbacks after cutting ties with Daniel Jones midway through last season. Russell Wilson will take over, while Jameis Winston will come in and play backup.
The rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart will be waiting in the wings, learning from both veterans, which is a scenario that Cruz believes is a major benefit for the former Ole Miss quarterback.
During Cruz's seven-year tenure in New York, he was fortunate to be in a situation where the Giants knew they had stability under center. While Russell Wilson might not be the franchise's long-term passer, they expect him to maintain the starting role throughout the year as they hope to re-enter playoff contention.
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