Cruz makes Giants' cut, for crying out loud

Even though he put up the best stats of any wide receiver in the NFL this preseason, Victor Cruz said this past week that he wasn't confident about making the Giants' roster - and that he'd probably cry if he did.

Break out the Kleenex, Victor.

Cruz and Duke Calhoun, another undrafted rookie receiver, were included on the Giants' initial 53-man team. The roster could change between now and the first game next Sunday, but for Cruz - a product of Patterson, N.J. - making the team was a dream come true.

Cruz's performance, including a three-touchdown night against the Jets in the preseason opener, made him a virtual shoo-in for the team. But Calhoun? Tom Coughlin said one of the reasons he was kept on the team ahead of others - including waived WR Derek Hagan - was his play on special teams Thursday against the Patriots. Oh, and Calhoun also caught the winning touchdown in that game.

Alford sacked

There were three iconic images from Super Bowl XLII. Now all three of those players are former Giants. Plaxico Burress, who caught the winning touchdown pass, and David Tyree, who set up that score with a miraculous catch, have long since left the team. Yesterday the Giants waived DT Jay Alford, whose sack of Tom Brady helped seal the improbable win.

Alford missed all of 2009 after tearing his ACL in the preseason. He only recently started to show the form he displayed in last year's training camp, when he looked as if he might win a starting job. His injury and the resurgence of Rocky Bernard likely squeezed Alford off the team.

Giant steps

RB Andre Brown, who missed all of 2009 with a ruptured Achilles and then missed Thursday's preseason game with turf toe, was waived but could return on the practice squad . . . The Giants seemed to be shopping DT Dave Tollefson and RB D.J. Ware in trades but wound up keeping them. G Guy Whimper also was on the block and was waived.