GIANTS' HOT TOPIC: VICTOR CRUZ'S INCREDIBLE EMERGENCE

[RoanokeFan]

GIANTS' HOT TOPIC: VICTOR CRUZ'S INCREDIBLE EMERGENCE

"Victor Cruz had 82 catches, 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns in his first real
season of meaningful action with the Giants. He now owns the team's all-time
single-season receiving record for yards, and his year was often defined by huge
plays -- catching a 99-yard touchdown, beating Nnamdi Asomugha for touchdowns,
making juggling catches and plenty more.<div class="entry-content">


Oh, and <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_hot_topic_upload_your_e.html">his
salsa dance has become known</a> throughout the league and metropolitan area,
and even got him an invite to "Dancing with the Stars."</p>


Whether it has been feature stories, columns or game-day stories, plenty has
been written about him, as his success and emergence have been well-documented
by The Star-Ledger. </p>


So now, we thought we'd go back in time to give you a sense of just how the
second-year receiver from Paterson has evolved this season. Check out some of
the articles written about him and then drop down to the <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_hot_topic_victor_cruzs.html#comments">comme nts
section</a> to talk about Cruz. What we want to know, Giants fans, besides your
thoughts on Cruz, is if you can think of an undrafted, possible sparkle to
record-setting star in such little time like Cruz has?</p>


• Aug. 17, 2010 (preseason): <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/08/giants_rookie_victor_cruz_livi.html">Rookie
Victor Cruz living a dream after catching three touchdowns against Jets</a></p>


• Oct. 30, 2010: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2010/10/giants_wr_victor_cruz_staying.html">Victor
Cruz staying positive despite season-ending hamstring injury</a></p>


• May 10, 2011: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/05/giants_qb_eli_manning_hosts_se.html">Victor
Cruz joins Eli Manning as QB hosts second week of workouts at Hoboken High
School</a></p>


• Aug. 13: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/08/giants_victor_cruz_is_ready_to.html">Victor
Cruz is ready to shine at receiver with Steve Smith gone</a></p>


• Aug. 26: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/08/giants_victor_cruz_aiming_to_c.html">Victor
Cruz aiming to make progress in critical role at wide receiver</a></p>


• Sept. 21: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/09/giants_victor_cruz_learning_to.html">Victor
Cruz learning to get Eli Manning out of 'hot' water</a></p>


• Sept. 25: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/09/politi_with_two_touchdowns_vic.html">Politi:
With two touchdowns, Victor Cruz energizes Giants, stuns 'Dream Team'</a></p>


• Sept. 27: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/09/giants_victor_cruz_makes_waves.html">Victor
Cruz makes waves with big plays against Eagles</a></p>


• Oct. 10: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/10/dalessandro_big_plays_--_both.html">D'Alessandro:
Big plays, both good and bad, continue to define Giants wideout Victor Cruz's
play</a></p>


• Oct. 16: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/10/dalessandro_giants_victor_cruz.html">D'Alessandro:
Victor Cruz has risen from Paterson to the NFL, driven by his father's memory
and mother's strength</a></p>


• Nov. 8: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/11/giants_victor_cruz_jake_ballar.html">Victor
Cruz, Jake Ballard developing into key players on offense</a></p>


• Nov. 16: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/11/giants_victor_cruz_learns_from.html">Victor
Cruz learns from night-club shooting he's far from anonymous</a></p>


• Dec. 14: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_wr_victor_cruz_becomes.html">Victor
Cruz becomes household name as he nears single-season receiving record </a></p>


• Dec. 25: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_vs_jets_victor_cruzs_99.html">Victor
Cruz's 99-yard TD vs. Jets gives Giants momentum</a></p>


• Dec. 25: <a href="http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2011/12/jets_know_all_about_giants_vic.html">Jets
know all about Victor Cruz after loss</a></p>


• Dec. 28: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2011/12/giants_victor_cruz_doesnt_thin.html">Victor
Cruz doesn't think he's a Pro Bowl snub</a></p>


• Jan. 1, 2012: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/as_giants_play_cowboys_for_nfc.html">As
Giants prep for Cowboys, Victor Cruz draws unprecedented attention</a></p>


• Jan 2: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/new_york_giants_victor_cruz_to.html">Victor
Cruz torches Dallas Cowboys' secondary</a></p>


• Jan. 3: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/dalessandro_victor_cruz_puts_g.html">D'Alessandro:
Victor Cruz puts Giants one step closer to their goal with his astonishing
play</a></p>


• Jan. 4: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/falcons_wr_roddy_white_says_vi.html">Falcons
WR Roddy White says Victor Cruz is in for 'rude awakening' and 'good pay day'
next year</a></p>


• Jan. 5: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/victor_cruzs_breakout_season_d.html">Victor
Cruz's breakout season doesn't surprise Giants</a></p>


• Jan. 6: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_wr_victor_cruz_turns_do.html">Victor
Cruz turns down 'Dancing With The Stars' offer, says maybe in the future</a></p>


• Jan. 8: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/victor_cruz_tony_gonzalez_high.html">Victor
Cruz, Tony Gonzalez highlight growth of Hispanic players in NFL</a></p>


• Jan. 8: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_victor_cruz_is_a_walkin.html">Politi:
Giants' Victor Cruz is a walking, breathing 'message of hope' for
Paterson</a></p>


• Jan. 16: <a href="http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/01/giants_vs_49ers_victor_cruz_ea.html">Victor
Cruz eager for another dance with San Francisco's Carlos Rogers</a></p>


We posed the question earlier, and we'll ask it again: Can you think of
another player who has gone from undrafted, possible sparkle to record-setting
star in such little time?</p></div>

[Voldamort]

Thanks

[RoanokeFan]

[quote user="Voldamort"]Thanks[/quote]

Just one of the highlight players of an unpredictable season