Victor Cruzs advice to Malik Nabers to keep him off dark Giants path

MUNICH – Victor Cruz was a terrific and charismatic wide receiver for the Giants and he is also a franchise icon, and only partly because of his famed and fabulous salsa touchdown celebration dance.  Cruz is a forever Giants legend because he was an integral contributor for a Super Bowl championship team. And that is the main reason why he arrived in Bavaria’s capital as a goodwill ambassador for the only NFL team he ever suited up for and received a hero’s welcome at an event at Hofbrauhaus, a sprawling and historic pub that turned into a Giants fan hangout in the days leading up to Sunday’s game with the Panthers at Allianz Arena.So, when Cruz speaks about the new kid on the block, rookie receiver Malik Nabers, the words carry weight from someone who excelled at the position and carved out a place for himself as one of the most popular former players the team has ever produced.Cruz and Nabers have spoken “a handful of times,’’ Cruz said, and an impression has already been made.“I think he’s a great kid, first and foremost,’’ Cruz told the Post. “I think he understands the gravity that’s put on his shoulders, kinda coming in and being wide receiver No.1 almost immediately. That’s not easy for a young kid to come into that type of atmosphere, especially in New York City. So, I think he’s handling that with grace and is doing that very well.’’Nabers, 21, is struggling handling all the losing with grace. He is tied with Ja’Marr Chase for third in the league with 55 receptions, behind only Garrett Wilson (60) and tight end Brock Bowers (57).The rookie, though, has played in only seven games — he missed two with a concussion — while the other three more prolific pass-catchers all have played in nine games. So, Nabers is on a game-by-game basis the most targeted and productive player of all the top guys.The Giants are 2-7, though, and it is clearly weighing on Nabers.After last week’s 27-22 loss to the Commanders, Nabers...