Odell Beckham, Victor Cruz one of most feared WR duos in NFL - when healthy

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Victor Cruz didn't even think about it.

It sort of just happened.

The Giants receiver caught a pass, planted his foot, hopped up and made a cornerback who dove at his feet look foolish. Cruz only gained four or five extra yards before stepping out of bounds. It was a seemingly meaningless practice in mid-August – a feat that otherwise wouldn't have mattered. But for Cruz, it was the next step toward returning to his old self after last year's torn patellar tendon injury ended his season.

"I was happy about it because it was almost subconscious," Cruz said. "You know how you grab the ball and see a defender and you want to make him miss? It kind of just happened. I was happy that it came naturally. Nothing hurt or anything like that. I was able to do it and keep going. That was a good sign."

For the Giants, that's great news.

With Odell Beckham Jr. emerging as a star last season in his first year, if New York can have both him and Cruz healthy, the Giants could boast the most feared receiving duo in a league where wide receivers have become the stars of the show.

Sure, that is a big if, considering that Beckham has dealt with nagging hamstring injuries dating back to last season, in addition to Cruz's condition.

The prospect of having both healthy faces ominous circumstances as Cruz will miss the opener against the Dallas Cowboys with a calf injury. With just 11 days spanning New York's first three games of the season (Sept. 13 through Sept. 24), if Cruz's condition doesn't improve, he could potentially get his first game action Week 4.

Beckham (91 receptions, 1,305 yards, 12 touchdowns in 12 games) is one of the handful of players in the NFL who is a legitimate threat to score any time he has the ball in his hands. Cruz – after a tough rehab process – seemed poised to return to his previous production levels (86 catches, 1,092 yards, 10 touchdowns in 2012) until the calf injury.

With the Giants having holes in their offensive line and their secondary, the health and production of Beckham and Cruz will be central to any hopes they have at the playoffs. But as quarterback Eli Manning and the Giants dive into their second season in offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's system, the entire unit could be due for a big season if it avoids complacency.

"The receiving corps, starting with myself, I know I need to step it up and take it to another level as far as bringing energy, and everything that's going on," Beckham said. "It's time for this team to take another step."

For that to happen, however, both Beckham and Cruz need to stay on the field.