The Facts:
GM Jerry Reese said this week he hopes Cruz will be "full-go" by training camp. Cruz is on board with his boss's optimism, telling NJ Advance Media he feels he is back to full strength as he continues to rehab the rare calf injury that cost him the entire 2015 season. "I'm feeling great. Workouts have been going amazing. Each day, it gets better and better," Cruz said on Friday. "I'm excited to continue to train, continue that pattern, and see where it takes me. ... I'm 100 percent. I feel good. No injuries, no ailments, nothing hurts, no pain."
Diehards Line:
Cruz has not played in a game since October of 2014, when he suffered a right patellar tear. And his comeback attempt never materialized last year, as a series of false starts with a nagging calf injury eventually led to season-ending surgery without the former Paterson Catholic star playing a down. But Cruz and the Giants believe those issues are behind him. Cruz has been training all offseason, and with his contract status now resolved for the time being after accepting a restructured deal for the 2016 season, he is ready to get back on the field. Cruz said being a full participant in training camp is "definitely the goal," but he expects to ease his way through the team's offseason program. In the meantime, fantasy owners should keep their expectations in check until such time as they see evidence to the contrary with their own eyes.