NY Giants

Victor Cruz tells TMZ Sports he still feels the itch to make an NFL comeback "to this day" ... and says he's confident he's still got the skills to be a successful wideout in the league!!

"I still wake up thinking about it," Cruz said of a possible return to the NFL. "I'm still in good shape. I can still run, jump and do all those things. Absolutely."

Of course, 32-year-old Cruz hasn't played a down in the league since 2016 ... and he knows a comeback ain't exactly probable.

But, Victor was one of the best receivers in the game for a few seasons ... piling up 303 catches, 4,549 receiving yards and 25 TDs from 2011 to 2016.

So, could he REALLY make a run at a return?!?!

"Obviously, I know where I'm at in my life right now," Cruz tells us. "I gotta pay the bills a different way."

Kurt Warner is going to bat for Eli Manning -- the guy who replaced him as the starting Giants' QB back in the day -- saying Eli definitely was NOT the problem in New York this season.

"If u watched the film, ELI was one of the few guys playing winning fball for that team!!" Warner said.

"Maybe I’m biased but there is nothing worse in fball than a team making the QB the scapegoat for losing when it’s WAY bigger than that!!"

Of course, Kurt and Eli were teammates during the 2004 season. Kurt started the first 9 games but was eventually replaced by Eli (a rookie at the time) after a 2-game losing streak.

Kurt left NY and signed with the AZ Cardinals the next season. Eli has been starting in NY ever since.

... until Tuesday, when the 0-2 Giants announced Manning will ride the bench this weekend and 1st round draft pick Daniel Jones will start.

Kurt never specifically says who's to blame in NY, but calls on Giants brass to start taking a harder look at the roster before benching Eli.

"Guess I am just a believer in playing best guy and if u gave him the job & he didn’t lose it by playing badly - start replacing some other guys first!"

Warner added, "[Manning] has earned better than two games in his last season (if it is his last there which we would all expect)!"

Victor Cruz is all-in on Odell Beckham flossin' with a $350k watch during NFL games ... telling TMZ Sports he LOVES it!!!

It's been a hot topic since OBJ wore an insanely expensive Richard Mille watch in the Browns' match-up against the Titans on Sunday ... considering it's uncommon for a player to wear a timepiece mid-game.

Of course, Cleveland got ROCKED by Tennessee ... but that was almost overshadowed by Odell's accessory, which is NOT approved by the league's rule against wearing "hard objects."

So, when we asked the ex-Giants great about the issue ... Vic is siding with his old teammate.

"The rich get richer, baby," Cruz told us at Cantor Fitzgerald in NYC on Wednesday. "I love it, I love it!!!"

Odell's gonna need the support -- he says he's gonna keep wearing it during games ... no matter what the league says and what fines come his way.

Jerry Jones and Roger Goodell should have a stern talking with DeMarcus Lawrence over his interaction with a little New York Giants fan ... this according to the boy's father.

11-year-old Kamil Bautista made headlines earlier this week after video surfaced of Lawrence -- a Dallas Cowboys superstar -- blowing off his autograph request because he was wearing a Saquon Barkley jersey.

In the video, you can see Lawrence give Kamil a sideways look, and tell him straight-up, "Get the right jersey, son!"

TMZ Sports spoke with Kamil's father, Jorge Bautista, and he told us the situation at AT&T Stadium really sucked ... saying he didn't think the way Lawrence reacted to his son was right.

In fact, Jorge says he believes DeMarcus' bosses need to sit the 6-foot-3, 265-pound pass rusher down and explain to him he can't act that way around fans.

"I've got employees," says Jorge, a Giants fan who works in a tennis shop in McAllen, Texas ... "If my employees say something wrong to a customer, I'd be like, 'Hey, that's not right. You gotta be humble. You gotta be polite to people.'"

Jorge says he's not mad over the fact that DeMarcus didn't sign for his son ... he claims there were several other Cowboys -- including Randall Cobb and Jaylon Smith -- who did the same.

But, Jorge's beef stems from the way Lawrence reacted to Kamil ... saying, "You've got my son who has the guts to approach you with his New York Giants fan, and you disrespect him like that?"

"I was like, man, I don't think that was right."

Jorge says he hasn't heard anything from the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Giants over the incident ... but two organizations have reached out to try to help massage the situation.

We're told Overtime Athletics US is donating a signed Saquon Barkley jersey to Kamil ... while an anti-bullying organization has also sent the Bautistas a message.

Rashad Jennings says Eli Manning doesn't have to look over his shoulder on who'll replace him eventually, which is he thinks the veteran QB's gonna have a breakout year.

The former-Giants running back was in New Jersey Sunday, where we asked him how he thought his old team would do this season, just hours ahead of their first game against the Cowboys ... in which Eli would be starting over Daniel Jones.

Rashad says he thinks the Giants have what it takes to squeak into the playoffs, but notes that it won't be easy ... even with who he calls the best running back in the game today, Saquon Barkley.

That said, IF the Giants can clinch a playoff spot ... RJ believes they got the fortitude and experience to go deep and possibly surprise a ton of people come January.

As far as how Eli himself will perform, Rashad explains why he thinks the guy is gonna be laser-focused on the field, despite the chatter that Jones might end up replacing him mid-season if he stinks. According to Rashad, Eli sees what's ahead ... and can focus on the game now.

Eli Manning WILL fend off Daniel Jones this season ... so says NFL legend Brett Favre, who tells TMZ Sports the Giants QB is going to have a BIG year!!!

"I think he may surprise some people," No. 4 says.

A lot of football pundits disagree ... saying it's only a matter of games before Jones -- the Giants' first-round pick this offseason -- gets the keys to the car.

But, Favre is confident Eli will play well enough to keep his job ... and is saying the QB has the perfect mentality to have a huge 2019 season in New York.

"I think he'll have a better year than most are giving him a chance to have."

Favre tells us it's the Giants' system that gives him confidence in Eli, saying, "He's got some really great, young, talented players around him, and he knows he doesn't have to do too much."

The Giants kick off the season Sunday afternoon against the Dallas Cowboys ... can he prove Favre right??

Baker Mayfield simply can't believe the NY Giants selected Daniel Jones with the 6th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft ... saying the move "blows my mind."

Mayfield made the comments while doing an interview with GQ -- the reporter says they happened to be sitting by a TV when ESPN ran a segment on Jones, the rookie out of Duke.

That's when Mayfield said, "I cannot believe the Giants took Daniel Jones ... blows my mind."

Some people are interpreting the comments as a shot at Jones -- others say Baker was just vocalizing how EVERYONE felt about the pick ... considering so many draft experts had other QBs like Dwayne Haskins ranked higher than DJ.

If you're wondering, the Browns do NOT play the Giants during the regular season this year.

The GQ reporter continued the conversation about NFL quarterbacks -- noting that a ton of so-called "experts" never seem to accurately predict which college stars will make good pros.

Baker added, "Some people overthink it ... that's where people go wrong. They forget you've gotta win."

He continued to explain what makes a great QB -- "Either you have a history of winning and being that guy for your team ... or you don't."

So far, no comment from Jones.

Giants god Lawrence Taylor says the G-Men have found a brand new franchise QB ... 'cause Daniel Jones is the future in the Big Apple.

"I've seen him a little bit," LT says ... "He's a hell of a football player."

Of course, the critics were out in full force after New York seemed to reach when it picked Jones with the No. 6 overall selection in April's NFL Draft.

But, the guy dazzled in his preseason debut last week ... and Taylor clearly noticed -- saying he was surprised to see it!!!

"He went to Duke," Taylor said, "so, that's hard to believe he's a hell of a football player!"

But, don't get it twisted ... LT doesn't think Jones' skill set should mean the immediate end of Eli Manning's time as a starter in New York. The pass rusher tells us he'd like to see the 2-time Super Bowl champ stay as long as he wants.

"As long as his terms are reasonable," Taylor adds.

By the way, we had to ask about Khalil Mack -- a guy Taylor said last season is nowhere close to his level -- and ya gotta hear if he's changed his tune since the Bear's monster 2018 season.

There's more ... Taylor was in NYC to celebrate Sapphire Gentlemen's Club's debut in Time Square -- and it sure seemed like he and a buncha other athletes had a great time!!!

Odell Beckham was just plain WRONG for thinking he was the main draw for the New York Giants last year -- so says Tiki Barber who says, in 2018, it was all about Saquon Barkley!

Of course, Tiki was a stud for the Giants from 1997 to 2006 -- he knows a little something about the franchise.

So, with Odell telling GQ he felt like he was the "main reason at keeping [the Giants] brand alive" -- we had to ask the former NYG running back to weigh in.

"Odell was hurt a lot last year. Saquon was Rookie of the Year. He's a spectacular player. If you were watching the Giants last year, you wanted to see what Saquon was going to do."

For the record, Odell was having a pretty solid season up until Week 12 -- when an injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. But at that point, he already had more than 1,000 receiving yards.

Still, Barber thinks Odell needs to stop thinking about the Giants and focus on his new team, the Cleveland Browns.

"He needs to move on," Barber said ... "The Giants have moved on. He will as well."

How's Eli Manning feel about Odell Beckham saying he was the ONLY reason the NY Giants were popular the past few years??

"I won a few games before he was here," the QB said ...

SHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADEEEEEEEE!!!

Manning spoke with the NFL Network after NY's practice Thursday ... and when they asked about Odell's recent controversial comments in a GQ article, Eli didn't hold much back.

"I don't think they bothered me," Manning said of the quotes ... "You just kind of shake your head and laugh.

Then Eli dropped the bombshell -- "I won a few games before he was here."

Of course, Odell made the claim that New York was only in the limelight "because people want to see the show. You want to see me play. That's just real rap."

But, Eli clearly feels differently ... and dude seems to have a point. Eli won nearly 100 regular season games before Odell was drafted -- and he also racked up 2 Super Bowl wins.

Terry Bradshaw sure sounds like a guy who thinks Odell Beckham should just be quiet when it comes to his Giants departure ... 'cause he tells TMZ Sports OBJ's recent comments were "crazy!"

"He ought to be happy he's in Cleveland making a nice dollar and they want him there," the Steelers legend says.

Odell made serious headlines Monday after he went scorched earth on the G-Men in a new GQ article ... ripping his old squad for trading him to Cleveland this offseason.

"I felt disrespected, because I felt like I was a main reason at keeping that brand alive," Odell said. "They were getting prime-time games, still, as a 5-and-11 team. Why? Because people want to see the show. You want to see me play. That's just real rap."

When we got Terry leaving Craig's on Monday night ... we had to ask the Hall of Fame QB about Beckham's comments -- and Bradshaw seemed to think they're BS.

"Really?" Bradshaw said shaking his head ... "Totally disagree. Yeah, that's crazy!"

That's when TB turned to our camera guy and issued a strong message to Odell -- telling him to just be quiet and enjoy the Browns!!

Of course, Odell's old team won't play his new team this year (we know, bummer) ... but the Giants and Browns ARE set to meet in 2020.

Ex-NFL player Mitch Petrus -- who won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2012 -- tragically died of a heat stroke on Thursday. He was 32 years old.

Petrus had complained about feeling ill on Thursday after spending all day outside working at his family's shop ... and was taken to a local hospital, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Officials say he died at 10:45 PM after suffering a heat stroke.

Petrus was a standout guard with the Arkansas Razorbacks after walking on to the team -- earning All-SEC honors in 2007 and 2009 -- and was drafted by the Giants in the 5th round of the 2010 NFL Draft.

While at Arkansas, Petrus blocked for stars Darren McFadden and Felix Jones ... and didn't give up a single sack during his senior year.

He also played for the New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans before retiring from the league in 2013.

Petrus played bass guitar in his band, Vikings of the North Atlantic ... and also made regular local TV appearances as a Razorbacks football analyst.

Petrus' Giants teammate, Lawrence Tynes, shared his condolences ... saying "RIP Mitch Petrus, another loss to our Giants family way too young. Fun dude who played hard. Prayers to his family and friends."

NY Giants rookie Deandre Baker just scored his first touchdown as a pro ... he bought his mom a new Bentley with his newfound NFL money -- AND SHE LOVED IT!!!!

Mama Baker had been driving around in a Nissan ... but when Deandre showed up with the new white whip and a big bow Wednesday -- she started bawling.

You can see in the clip she's shocked ... and the new Giants defensive back has to tell her repeatedly to "stop crying!"

"I Told Mama We Straight..." Deandre said of the gift ... "Remember We Use To Be In A Nissan... Watched Her Struggle And Sacrifice To Make Sure I’m Straight ...Now It’s My Turn To Take Care Her."

Unclear the price of Baker's new Bentley -- most cost in the $200,000 range -- but Deandre can certainly afford it, he signed a 4-year rookie deal worth $10.5 MILLION!!

As for the start of Deandre's career ... it kicks off on Aug. 8 with a preseason game against the Jets -- and we know Mom's going to have a comfortable ride to MetLife Stadium that day!!!

Baker was the #30th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after a stellar career at the University of Georgia. 

Listen up, Giants fans ... STOP BOOING DANIEL JONES -- so says Tiki Barber, who tells TMZ Sports the quarterback is going to be a star!!!

"He's got the smarts, he's got the physical ability, he's an athlete," the legendary Giants RB says ... "and I think he's surrounded by some good talent."

Of course, there ain't many agreeing with Tiki right now ... the consensus after NY selected the Duke QB with the No. 6 overall pick in April's NFL Draft is the G-men WAY overpaid.

In fact, most doubt the pick so much ... Jones was actually BOOED when he showed up to Yankee Stadium a few days ago!!!

But, Tiki is telling Jones not to make too much of all that, saying, "It's his indoctrination into New York fandom, but he'll be OK!"

If ya think Eli Manning's dad is pissed the Giants drafted his son's replacement ... think again -- 'cause Archie Manning tells TMZ Sports, Daniel Jones is a GOOD pick for the G-men.

"They drafted a really good, young man," Archie says ... "A really good, young player."

Of course, the Giants just picked up the Duke QB with the No. 6 overall selection in April's NFL Draft ... and that means Eli's days are officially numbered in NY.

But, Archie says he ain't mad Eli's team drafted a guy to replace him ... and, in fact, Papa Manning says he actually saw it coming.

"I knew they were probably going to draft a QB," Archie says.

As for how Eli is handling the situation, Archie tells us the 38-year-old isn't ready to give up the starting QB reins just yet ... saying, "he's working hard, ready to go."

Odell Beckham's going to KILL IT with the Browns this season ... so says his former NY teammate, Victor Cruz, who tells TMZ Sports, "He's going to ball."

Odell was just traded from the Giants to Cleveland a few months ago ... and Victor has no doubts the superstar wideout is going to find big success with the Dawg Pound.

In fact ... Cruz is predicting DOUBLE-DIGIT wins for Cleveland now that OBJ is wearing a Browns jersey -- telling us he's confident Baker Mayfield "has got all the tools" to feed the wideout.

Whatever happens with Odell and Baker this season ... Beckham is going to be doing it in style. He just got this insane Rolls Royce customized with his own figurine as the car's emblem!!!

There's more ... we also asked Cruz about Donovan McNabb's bold claim that he's a for sure Hall of Famer -- and Cruz agreed!!