Europa » Manning, who has thrown a career-high 26 interce

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Victor Cruz believes there was a bit of a disconnect between Eli Manning and his receivers in this season where the New York Giants offence failed to live up to the preseason hype. Talking to the media for the first time since having surgery on his left knee Dec. 19, Cruz said that the lengthy negotiations that got him a new contract in July, and fellow receiver Hakeem Nicks decision to work out on his own went a long way in creating the gap between Manning and the receivers. "I think thats the one thing we lacked, was kind of that continuity from a receiver standpoint with our quarterback," Cruz said Friday. "And I want to build that earlier this year, whether he have to set some time apart with the receivers and Eli whenever hes ready and schedule it right so we can build not only on the field but off the field." Cruz, who stood without the aid of crutches, said his knee should be healthy in roughly two months. He intends to take the recovery slowly so he does not come back and play tentatively. The four-year veteran expects to take part in the Giants organized team activities, which started in April this past season. The important aspect this off-season will be working out more with Manning, who has thrown a career-high 26 interceptions. "We want to get to know each other more and stuff like that," said Cruz, who finished the season with 73 catches for 998 yards and four touchdowns. "I feel like there was a little bit of a disconnect there that we want to get back for this football team." Cruz, who was hurt against Seattle on Dec. 15, hopes that Nicks and offensive co-ordinator Kevin Gilbride will both return next season. Nicks, the Giants first-round draft pick in 2009, has had a disappointing fifth season. Heading into the season finale against Washington on Sunday, he has failed to catch a touchdown. He will be a free agent after this season. "Obviously I understand the business side of it, because I just went through that myself," said Cruz, who signed a five-year, $43 million contract extension this summer, causing him to miss this past seasons OTAs. "I understand what he is going through." If Nicks signs with another team, Cruz said he is ready to handle a bigger load. He admits he was disappointed being limited to four TD catches. Gilbride has come under fire because the offence, which has been slowed by multiple injuries on the offensive line, is ranked 30th of 32 in the league. Nicks plans to discuss his future with the Giants next week said. While he said he wants to stay, he added that money might not be the stumbling block in contract talks. "We arent talking money, its bigger than that in my eyes," Nicks said, indicating that he doesnt want to see changes in the offence. The Giants could put a franchise tag on Nicks and have him under contract for another year, but the question is would they do that for a player who did not produce in a walk year. "I understand the business," Nicks said. "There wont be no negative vibe or bad blood whatever they decide." Finishing 2 yards shy of 1,000 yards receiving did not cost him money, Cruz said. "I wish I could go back and get them, but things happen," Cruz said. "When I was on the flight to get my surgery, a fan came up to me and said: Dont worry about those two yards, you still got 1,000 in my book. That sealed the deal for me. I was like, I knew I didnt need them." NOTES: G Brandon Mosley (hand), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (shoulder) and TE Adrien Robinson (knee) were declared out for Sundays game. ...Mosley was having surgery Friday on the hand he broke last weekend. Pierre-Paul missed the final five games. RBs Andre Brown and Peyton Hillis are probable after suffering concussions in the last two weeks. 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Custom Calgary Flames Jerseys .C. - Nick Merkley and Damon Severson each had a goal and two assists as the Kelowna Rockets downed the visiting Seattle Thunderbirds 6-3 on Saturday in Western Hockey League playoff action.Salt Lake City, UT (SportsNetwork.com) - Blake Griffin had 28 points, Chris Paul scored 17 with 10 assists and the Los Angeles Clippers rolled to a 112-96 win over the slumping Utah Jazz on Saturday night to finish off a successful road trip. Jamal Crawford added 22 points off the bench and J.J. Redick scored 13 for the Clippers, who finished 6-1 on their seven-game trek. Whether we went 6-1 or 4-3, we would have been better when this trip was over. It was guaranteed, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. I think defensively we grew the most. They have won 11 in a row against the Jazz since Utahs last victory in the series on Jan. 17, 2012. Gordon Hayward poured in 30 points to lead the Jazz, who have lost five in a row overall. Derrick Favors chipped in 19 points and Trevor Booker scored 15 off the bench. We did a good job of fighting back, said Booker. We made a (few)) errors, (some) miscommunication and they capitalized on it.dddddddddddd The Clippers never trailed. Griffin had 13 points in the first quarter and Crawford hit consecutive 3s to cap a 10-0 burst that gave them a 20-point lead. It was 35-18 going into the second quarter and got as close as five points at the end of an extended 17-2 run by the Jazz, keyed by five points apiece from Dante Exum, Hayward and Booker. LA took a 62-50 lead into halftime and led by as many as 21 points in the third quarter. The Jazz trailed 90-76 entering the fourth and were never closer than 12 down the stretch. Game Notes The Clippers will start a four-game homestand on Monday against Minnesota, their first game at Staples Center since losing to Chicago on Nov. 17 ... Utah continues a four-game homestand on Monday against Denver. ' ' '