A few days ago Victor Cruz ran into Vernon Davis, the 49ers’ dynamic tight end, and the two exchanged pleasantries. That is one subtle example of how the life of Victor Cruz, in one year, has changed so dramatically.
“I don’t think a year ago he would have even known who I was or spoken to me,’’ Cruz said yesterday at a Time Warner Cable event at the Queens Theatre. “I think I’ve garnered a little more respect and I think that comes with winning a Super Bowl and helping your team each and every week.’’
Just how far Cruz has come will be starkly evident in two weeks, when the Giants report to training game on July 26 at the University at Albany.
One year ago, Cruz did not have a single NFL reception and was preparing for a summer battle merely to survive the roster cuts. This time around, he heads north as a young star, a Super Bowl champion with a franchise record for receiving yards in a season, owner of a magnetic salsa end zone dance, an incredible local-kid-makes-good tale, a bright smile and, seemingly, a burgeoning career awaiting him.
He also heads to camp as Eli Manning’s only healthy proven receiver. Cruz caught up with Hakeem Nicks at the ESPYs this week and noticed Nicks — who back on May 24 fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot — was walking without crutches.
“He told me he’s going to take training camp to continue rehabbing and continue getting his foot back right, but I definitely expect him to be ready by Game 1,’’ Cruz said.
The pressure to impress the coaching staff in order to hang around another week is gone for Cruz, replaced by his desire to hone his skills and help the less-established receivers find their footing.
“This year I just want to go in and maintain my same play and make sure I’m staying sharp on the plays, staying sharp on my football as well as getting some of the young guys acclimated and getting them ready to go,’’ Cruz said. “Somebody’s got to fill that third role, whether it be an older guy like Ramses [Barden] or a younger guy like [Reuben] Randle or Jerrel Jernigan. Those guys have to be ready so it’s kind of double-duty, making sure I’m good to go, making sure I’m sharp and making sure the younger guys are getting in the playbooks.’’
This year is also different from last year in that Cruz, amid the post-Super Bowl hubbub, hasn’t worked out as often as he did in the lockout-filled 2011 offseason.
“This year, among all the things I’ve been doing as far as off-the-field stuff I’ve been able to manage three, four days a week for me to go in and work out,’’ he said.
Cruz admits he’s relished the publicity that spills out of a breakout season and Super Bowl triumph.
“It was always my dream to be shooting commercials and photo shoots and stuff like that,’’ he said, but added, “I haven’t gone Hollywood at all, at least I don’t think so.’’
He also hasn’t cashed in yet on a new contract, although the perception is he has struck gold.
“People think I’m a millionaire,’’ Cruz said, “because they see I’m here and there and shooting this commercial and doing this photo shoot that they think I’m just some grand millionaire with a ton of money and I’m living up in the hills somewhere. That’s not the case at all. My mom’s still in Paterson [N.J], I’m still living near the stadium, not in a $1.3 million home or anything crazy like that.’’