When Victor Cruz was a youngster, he was taught to dance the salsa by his maternal grandmother, Lucy Molina. Those moves became a national sensation after Cruz emerged as a star receiver last season and celebrated in the end zone with his version of the salsa.
Cruz knows he will play Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers with a heavy heart. His grandmother, his beloved abuela, died on Monday at age 77.
“She meant the world to me,’’ Cruz said. “She practically, besides my mom, she practically raised [me], so it’s obviously something tough to go through. Just have to take it in stride, understand it was her time to go and God just wanted another angel up there with him.’’
Cruz said he will attend services for his grandmother today and also the funeral tomorrow after the Giants are done with practice.
“Monday, I was with her on the hospital bed, taking her last breath I was with her,’’ Cruz said.
As for the game, he added “Obviously she’s gonna be on my mind, so it’s gonna be emotional for me.’’
Cruz is coming off a rough opener, dropping three passes in a 24-17 loss to the Cowboys. That performance attracted some criticism, coming off his breakout season last year.
“No, I’m not surprised. I [couldn’t] care less what other people talk about,” he said. “I’m just worried about what we have in this locker room and the team, people in my inner circle. I don’t worry myself about what other people say. That takes too much time and effort out of my daily schedule.’’
Coach Tom Coughlin said Cruz fell into an old habit of losing his concentration, trying to make a play before securing the ball.
“Yeah, it’s accurate,” Cruz said. “There’s times when I’m … trying to make the big play before I even catch the football,’’ Cruz said. “I’m subject to that sometimes. I guess that’s just a matter of me being too hyped up for the game. This week I get to calm down a little bit and get in the routine of our daily schedule. We play on a Sunday.
“Certain times throughout the game I get overly excited about making a play and I forget to do the little things. I forget to catch the ball first, I forget to have a sharp break out of my routes. To get the first [catch] is definitely going to be a confidence boost for myself personally, just to get myself back on track. That first one is gonna be key.’’