'Salsa Man' says $55k fine on Ed Reed is "pretty hefty"

For the second week in a row an opposing player has been fined for a hit on Victor Cruz. Last week it was Chris Hope of the Flacons who was tagged for $30,000 and this week it was the Ravens’ Ed Reed who was smacked up for $55,000.

“Nobody likes to see the Salsa Man get hurt,” Cruz said jokingly of the fines that have come from him being hit. “I don’t know what it is.”

The latest fine, to Reed, did catch Cruz’ attention. $55,000 is more than one-tenth of what Cruz makes in base salary this year.

“I think it’s pretty steep,” Cruz said. “That’s a pretty hefty fine. It wasn’t my decision, there’s nothing I can do about it, but I think that’s a pretty hefty fine to say the least.”

Besides Hope and Reed, Will Allen of the Steelers was also fined this season for a hit on Cruz. His pricetag was only $7,875, though, for a late hit.

Speaking of big numbers with dollar signs in front of them, Cruz had said earlier this season that he wanted to have a new deal with the Giants in place by the time the season ended. Well, here we are.

“I’m not disappointed,” Cruz said of no new deal. “I think we’re still moving in the right direction. It’s a negotiation and everything is not going to happen the way you want it to and we’re just going back and forth and hopefully we’ll get things squared away.”

Cruz also said earlier this year that the basic structure of the contract was in place.

“It’s still the same as of right now,” Cruz said. “It’s just a matter of getting the numbers right and so on that goes on with this type of negotiation. I’m just being patient, man. I’m in no rush. I’m going to go enjoy this last game, hopefully enjoy this playoff berth. If not, enjoy the Pro Bowl and just relax a little bit.”