The New York Giants’ offense looked completely out of sync against the Detroit Lions on Monday night, which was consistent with what we saw throughout the preseason and for much of last year. Victor Cruz, who was at one point one of the most effective wide receivers in football, caught just two passes for 24 yards and was targeted six times. He was not pleased.
On Tuesday, Cruz said the Giants need to design more plays for him if they want to score points.
“I think in order for us to be successful, there needs to be an increased number of targets in my direction,” he said, via Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News. “And in other playmakers’ directions. Just like Rueben Randle as well, in my opinion. But that all comes with the continuity, that comes with getting the running game going, that comes with building what we want to build as the game continues.”
We all know Cruz was just throwing Randle’s name in there as a side note. Eli Manning didn’t even look in Cruz’s direction until late in the first quarter. This is the same Cruz that caught 168 passes for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns between the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Second-year tight end Larry Donnell (who?) was targeted eight times and hauled in five catches and a touchdown. Cruz did add that he thought it was good to get some of the younger guys involved to build their confidence.
“I think Larry Donnell had a great game and he made some big catches for us… I think it’s important to increase those guys’ confidence,” said Cruz. “I think it’s important to get those guys started, as well as getting everybody else involved as well.”
A lot of the problems the Giants are having stem from an abysmal offensive line. Manning had virtually no time to throw the ball on Monday. Defenses are also more likely to key in on Cruz until someone else proves they can beat them. While many have expected Rueben Randle to be that guy, he has a tendency to run bad routes and drop passes. It could be a very long season for the G-Men.
