Mario Manningham Injury and Depleted WR Corps, Time to Stick with the Run Game

With Domenik Hixon's latest ACL tear and his career with the Giants most likely coming to an end, it is time for Big Blue to look elsewhere. 

The issue becomes where to look: Mario Manningham is out with a concussion and Brandon Stokley is 35. 

That leaves rookie Jerrel Jernigan and de facto rookie Victor Cruz. 

Cruz would be the obvious choice and will likely be on par with Stokley come Sunday in Philadelphia, but unless this somehow becomes a preseason game against the Jets, don't expect much. 

As the heir apparent to the No. 3 receiver position coming into the season, Cruz made it through the preseason without being exposed. He made a nice catch against the Bears, but also ran some awful routes in the process. He was beaten out for the job by the aforementioned Hixon, backing up the notion held by many: he's not that good.

Cruz is athletically gifted, but not NFL-ready. 

His drop of an easy third-down pass against the Redskins, and the subsequent derailment of the Giants' third-down offense is an example of this. While everyone drops passes, that is a pass no starting wide receiver drops. Steve Smith does not drop that ball, Stokley does not drop that ball, hell, Derek Hagan doesn't drop that ball.

While one dropped pass does not define a career, it speaks volumes to NFL readiness, nerves and capability. Cruz has one of those three—take a wild guess. 

With the Giants already struggling to convert third-down plays (6-for-25) and going against a team with a secondary that makes LeBron James blush, one would expect the Giants to utilize the ground game against Philadelphia. 

Don't be surprised to even see a three-headed rushing attack including DJ Ware, who found some carries Monday. 

I'd also advise anyone fond of gambling to take the over on Eli Manning interceptions.