Victor

Cruz

Hixon returned for the first series following halftime, then was ruled out for the remainder of the game. The injury happened when Hixon fell to the ground after making a 22-yard circus catch for a touchdown. He finished the night with the touchdown and a 7-yard grab. It’s concerning given that it’s the same knee that kept Hixon out for all of 2010. The Giants will play the second half with Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz and Brandon Stokley.

Cruz grabbed both his targets, and played across from Hakeem Nicks when Mario Manningham and Domenik Hixon both left late in the second quarter. He’s going to see a big increase in snaps if Manningham and/or any other Giants’ wide receiver misses extended time, making him a deep flier.

Cruz hauled in a 74-yard touchdown in the first quarter before reeling in a 28-yard score in the fourth. Both times he was covered by elite Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha, though his first touchdown was only made possible by a (badly) missed Kurt Coleman tackle. It was the kind of performance the Giants desperately needed with Manningham out and Domenik Hixon lost for the season. Cruz should now have some rope as the Giants’ No. 3 receiver. He’s worth a flier in deeper leagues.

“Eventually, I think (the slot) is going to be his spot, but to his credit, when he is outside, he reaches up and he is strong and can run after the catch,” Gilbride said. Cruz acquitted himself very well on the outside in Mario Manningham’s absence last week, burning elite Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha for a pair of touchdowns. New York is set on the outside with Manningham and Hakeem Nicks, however, making the slot Cruz’s best chance to get on the field on a weekly basis. He’s an intriguing flier in deeper leagues and PPR formats.

Manningham is going to get some leash despite last week’s benching. “He will get more than his fair shot at being ‘The Guy,’” said offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. Giants beat writers are predicting a breakout game today for Manningham, especially with Marcus Trufant sidelined. He’s a high-risk, high-reward WR3 option.

Cruz won’t be denied. Even though Mario Manningham started and was the primary receiver opposite Hakeem Nicks, Cruz dominated the slot. His touchdown was a wild circus catch during which Eli Manning threw a jump ball into double-coverage and Cruz somehow came down with the tipped ball using one hand. It’s the kind of play we’ve seen Cruz make repeatedly. Even if the Giants stick with Manningham outside, Cruz is clearly playing better right now. He led the Giants with 11 targets and is turning into a viable WR3 option during the bye weeks.

The Giants single-season record holder for receiving yards is entering the final year of a contract that will pay him just $540,000. Taking part in voluntary workouts, Cruz reiterated that he has no intention of holding out regardless of contract status.

Cruz is on the record as believing he deserves a big raise from his current scheduled 2012 salary of $540,000, but says “holdout” is “not in my vocabulary.” Outside of holding out, Cruz has precious little leverage in contract talks. He’ll be a restricted free agent next offseason.

“I have gotten comfortable with it throughout the year and that is my position,” said Cruz. If Cruz is correct, that leaves Ramses Barden with an advantage over Jerrel Jernigan for the No. 3 role. It’s important for Cruz’s fantasy value as well because Eli Manning has heavily targeted his slot receiver going back to Steve Smith.

“He had one good year, one good year don’t make you a great football player,” Reese said. “It means you had one good year. He’s a smart young man, I think he wants to focus on what’s most important, and that’s football. Maybe at some point later on in his career he might be able to do that.”