Eli Manning: I'd redo deal to help sign Victor Cruz

Eli Manning says he checks the papers every morning to make sure no other team has offered restricted free agent Victor Cruz.

Aside from the fact we'd expect Manning to have an iPad or smartphone he could check news on, it was another indication of how important Cruz is to the Giants' offense.

Now that Cruz has switched to Manning's agent, Tom Condon, the quarterback said he's been texting Condon notes like ‘Hey, get this done. Make sure he stays with us,'” Manning said at a Wednesday appearance in New York City, according to ESPN.com. "Obviously I want Victor back with the Giants, and obviously right now he is [tendered].

"I check the papers every morning to make sure no one else has offered him a contract. It is nerve-racking though. He is anxious. I know he has been dealing with this contract issue for a long time. I know he wants it just settled and wants to get back to playing football and just worrying about that."

Manning further said he'd consider restructuring his deal to help the Giants sign Cruz.

“If the Giants want to work something out, I am always up for listening and figuring out what I can do to help the cause," said Manning, who counts $21 million against the cap in 2013 and is signed through 2015.

The team hasn't approached Manning about it.

The Giants and Cruz couldn't agree on a long-term deal, so the team used a first-round tender on him. That means another team willing to pay more can sign Cruz, but they'd have to give New York a first-round pick. April 19 is the deadline for teams to sign Cruz to an offer sheet.

Cruz led the Giants in receiving yards the past two years, and the team still hopes to work out a long-term contract. If that doesn't happen and no other teams come calling, Cruz's only option would be to play for the Giants for $2.879 million, well below market value.

Cruz, 26, could command more than $6 million annually in a long-term deal.