Pro Bowl 2012: Victor Cruz Deserves Nod Over Greg Jennings in NFC

In a perfect world, you get credit for producing big numbers despite your limited experience.

The Pro Bowl is not a perfect world.

Despite breaking the Giants receiving record with one game still to go, Cruz was dissed by the voters and beaten out by Greg Jennings as the third and final receiver to start for the NFC in the Pro Bowl.

His 1,358 yards on 17.9 YPG and eight touchdowns are both among the best in the league. He ranks third in yards and ninth in TD catches. Not bad for a player who didn’t catch a single pass in his rookie season.

Not only has he statistically dominated, but Cruz has produced when it matters most. His 99-yard TD catch last week against the Jets was the biggest reason the G-Men now control their own fate in the NFC East. Eli Manning struggled throughout the game against the vaunted Jets pass defense and Cruz’s ability to run after making the catch could define the season.

His impact has been much greater than those of Jennings.

For one, Jennings has the odds on favorite to win the MVP throwing him passes. While Manning is no slouch, he isn’t even close to the level of Aaron Rodgers in 2011. Defenses can’t double team Jennings knowing Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson and James Jones are all foaming at the mouth to make plays as well.

Jennings (949 yards, 14.2 YPC, nine TDs) isn’t even the top receiver on his own team. That accomplishment would go to Nelson (1101, 18.7 YPC, 12 TDs). He also will have missed the final three games of the season with a knee sprain.

He plays on the NFL’s equivalent to the dream team and has benefited big time.

The Giants have oft-injured players Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and a running game that is currently ranked dead last in the NFL.

I’m not saying Jennings didn’t have a big season, but it pales in comparison to the one Cruz has registered.

With the odds of another Green Bay Super Bowl looking good, let’s hope Cruz finds a way to make the trip to Honolulu to play alongside the top notch talent level that he is now a part of.

Even if he doesn’t make it, this is only the beginning of a long and highly successful career for a player that went undrafted a mere year and a half ago.