Well, that didn't take long

[CAGiantFan]

I heard the interview on Mike and Mike this morning, and he was asked if he would be seeking a raise and his statement was something to the fact that he would like one and hopefully his agent and the organization can do something.  He didn't go to the media with a demand, he was asked a question.

+1

I've heard him say the same thing on show after show as the hosts try to get him to make demands.  And STILL it gets spun the way it was in the article quoted in the OP.  Gotta love it when a sportswriter is "outraged" on behalf of a player.  And by love it I mean despise it.

[dflogan]

My son said, back early in the season after Cruz's first few successful games, that he was so impressed with how level-headed and down-to-earth Victor was acting, and how refreshing that was with all the divas in the league... We both said we hoped that wouldn't change if he continued to perform well.

We saw the headline/story referenced here, and immediately started to get upset that with what seemed to be a shift to Cruz acting like a diva...

...then I saw the video of the actual interview (http://video.nbcsports.msnbc.com/nbc-sports/46331101#46331101)', and once again learned a lesson in not believing everything you read in the sports pages!

The quote in question was 30 seconds out of a 7 minute interview -- and was tee'd up by Victor winning some award from PFL for being the most successful low-paid player in the league.  Even with all that as a lead-in to the question, Victor's response was very even-keeled... and never came close to sounding like some sort of 'demand'. 

It was a model example of how to respectfully present a valid case for a salary increase, which it remotely coming across as a threat, or converying any type of negativity.

Frankly, I wish more players, who have legitimate cases to be made for more money, would listen to the actual Cruz interview -- and learn from it (...are you listening, Osi??).

[UniHamachi]

The most impressive display of Cruz's level headedness was his lack of celebration after scoring TDs in the Saints game. He knew it was garbage time. Instead of preening over the scores he handed the ball to the ref and got back to business. Not many players in the league would refrain from showing off when their team was getting shellacked.