NFL Notes: Victor Cruz, 49ers, Bengals, Cardinals

Victor Cruz

Former Giants WR Victor Cruz said he believes he still has “a lot of good football” left in him, even though New York elected to move on from him (NFLTR).

“I think I have a lot of good football left ahead of me,” Cruz said. “I think there is still a lot of miles left on this body. I’ll definitely be searching and looking for work as the time comes.”

Despite being released, Cruz spoke highly of his time with the team.

“It’s been an amazing journey,” Cruz said. “I pretty much grew up in front of the eyes of this entire organization. The Giants fan base, the community, my hometown, my family. I grew up there. It’s very much a family atmosphere and it’s very much like leaving your family. That’s what it feels like. I did some great things there. There are so many experiences, times and moments that I shared in that building with that team in that jersey. Those can’t be replaced or forgotten. I’m happy I have those moments to look back on.

“I’m going to miss the people there,” Cruz said. “Those are the guys that you see day in and day out. Those are the guys that you go to war with and see every day. That’s the family. Those are the people that you look up to, look at, see every day and are most excited about. I definitely miss those guys. I had the chance to see them today before I left the building. I was there for an hour or two just talking to everyone. It’s a good feeling. They’ll always be family. People like that, when you know them that long, they don’t go anywhere.”

49ers

49ers ILBL NaVorro Bowman said there’s currently no timetable for his return from an Achilles tear, but he’s still working hard and focused on getting back for next year.

“I’m working every single day, doing everything that the trainers are asking me to do,” Bowman said, via CSN Bay Area. ‘There’s no timetable set when I’ll be cleared to do every single thing. But the sky’s looking bright for me. I feel great. The key is definitely just improving every single day and giving me confidence, knowing that I will be back.

“I’m a grinder. Anything that knocks me down, I’m going to get back up,” Bowman added. “It’s just who’s going to stick beside me and remember what I’ve done and keep praying for me that I’m going to get back to where I was.”

Bengals

• Katherine Terrell mentions that the Bengals are expecting to have a big 2017 draft class in part because of the compensatory picks they’ll receive from losing free agents last year.
• Terrell doesn’t anticipate them being very active in free agency or using their franchise tag in the coming weeks.

Cardinals

Cardinals GM Steve Keim is well aware of the fact that he tenure will ultimately be judged by his ability to find a long-term quarterback prospect to build around in the coming years.

“There’s no doubt every GM, there is no question your name has to be put on a young quarterback at some point,” Keim said, via AzCardinals.com. “I challenge myself every day, because if you look around the league, you’re not a GM for long if you don’t find (a quarterback). I have to do a better job, with my staff and the coaching staff, we have to identify the right guy and put this organization in position to have success for years to come.”