Less than three weeks ago, the New York Giants were in control of the NFL Draft board and tentatively held onto the top pick. They then scored 45 points, their most in more than 10 years, and won.
The Giants are now in line to pick third in the draft, and many experts say two quarterbacks, at most, are worthy of being selected early on.
The two teams ahead of the Giants (the Titans and Browns) are likely in the market for quarterbacks.
It was the Giants’ worst season in a generation. His .176 winning percentage with a 3-14 record was the fourth-lowest in franchise history. And yet, owner John Mara made the unpopular decision to retain both head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.
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Victor Cruz of the New York Giants celebrates after scoring on a 24-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 20, 2011, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
However, firing Daboll would have meant the Giants would have had, not including interims, their fifth head coach in 10 seasons. That’s not an ideal process, especially considering Tom Coughlin ran the station for 12 years.
And although Giants fans may not like the decision, Victor Cruz understands it.
“I think at some point you have to provide some continuity, right? You can’t keep firing all the coaches. You have to give some guys a little bit of a clue to determine if they are the guys,” Cruz said. Pak Gazette Digital in a recent interview.
Cruz said players, especially veterans, “love” Daboll, which led to Mara’s decision. But they need to compete next year if Daboll and Schoen want to survive.
“I’m not saying we have to win 13 games, 12 games, but at least we have to be in a competitive state next year so the fans can have a better taste in their mouths,” Cruz said. He even admitted that the duo could survive if the Giants “stink” again.
“I think it depends on what level we stink, right? How much do we stink? Are we 3-14 again, or are we 9-8? 8-9? Are we in that middle level to maybe be? A couple of pieces away?” said.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll on the sideline against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on January 5, 2025. (Eric Hartline/Image Images)
“Now, if we’re a three-win team next year, we’ve got to blow it, because clearly it’s not working. But if we’re at that mid-level (9-8, 8-9, in contention) maybe a wild-card and we’re there, so I have a different taste. So I say, ‘Okay, I’ll commit to them, let’s figure out what we need to get over that last hurdle.'”
The G-Men aren’t likely to sniff out a Super Bowl for a while, so maybe the players will throw some parties for this year’s big game. Cruz is, and he’s teaming up with Finish Ultimate dishwasher detergent before heading to New Orleans next month. The brand is giving away a $10,000 prize so fans can throw the Super Bowl party of their dreams.
“As I transitioned into retirement and chilled and hung things in the crib, that helped me get the tough stains out. It helps me when I’m making food, there’s different food in here and we have those tough stains on those dishes.”, Cruz said.
“Finish Ultimate is the way to go for removing tough stains and I wouldn’t use any other brand other than Finish Ultimate.”
The Giants’ focus is on the draft, and even if the Titans and Browns let Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders fall to the Giants, Cruz would say thanks, but no thanks and look for a household name.
“I think we should get one of those veteran guys in free agency, build our roster for one more year, be competitive next year and then go for Arch Manning the year after that,” Cruz said. “Now, we build a team through the draft and free agency. We have a draft year to put guys in contention, to build our roster the right way, create depth at all these positions… Then, we’re going to get a quarterback in free agency and see what happens.”
So who does Cruz want at No. 3?
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll attends a press conference in Munich, Germany, on November 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Lennart Preiss)
“I like Travis Hunter. You put him with Malik Nabers and give him some plays on defense? Come on. It’s hard to pass up on that. That’s the game changer I’m talking about. That’s that guy you can’t game plan Imagine a team that has to game plan for a guy on defense and then say, ‘Oh, by the way, he’s going to play 30 snaps on offense.’
“He’s a great personality. He’s a great guy. I’m going to have a ton of fun out there. And him and Malik Nabers together, seeing their energies and imagining them together not only on the field, but in marketing off the field, those guys are I’ll crush him in New York City.
“And I just think that the two of them together could also help each other, feed each other and help each other grow simultaneously so that they can be together and face all the ups and downs that are going to come. And they could be the glue that keeps that team together and keeps everyone positive “.
