Vermittelt » surprise of this season is how eight teams are using ro

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Victor Cruz broke free in the end zone and was wide open for the go-ahead touchdown pass from Eli Manning.Everybody knew what was coming next for the New York Giants receiver: the salsa .And it wasnt so much his trademark dance that brought back the joy after his first game, and first touchdown, in nearly two years. Just being out there was almost enough for the 29-year-old, who missed most of 2014 with a knee injury and all of last year with a bad calf.Then he scored what ended up being the game-winner in the fourth quarter of a 20-19 season-opening victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.You could sense everyone having me in their prayers, pushing for me, excited for me to get dressed and be out there for Game 1, Cruz said. And to score a touchdown, you just couldnt make up a story any better than that.The last time Cruz was on the field in a game that counted, he crumpled to the ground in pain diving for a throw from Manning on Oct. 12, 2014, at Philadelphia. He was carried off that day with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee.But he said that didnt occur to him as he celebrated with teammates after his first TD since Week 3 in 2014 -- his only score that season.Just to overcome so much, man, he said. Just to be able to get to this moment. A lot of people go through it and dont get through it, dont get this opportunity to claim what they once were or they once had.Odell Beckham Jr. blossomed into a star receiver while Cruz worked to get himself ready to play again. And he had a front row seat for his first live salsa, taking a knee to soak in Cruzs celebration.Beckham Jr. missed the first four games of his rookie season, so this was just the third time he played in the same game with Cruz.I just wanted to sit there, cross my legs, grab a bag of popcorn and just watch him salsa, said Beckham Jr., who had a 45-yard catch to set up New Yorks first touchdown and finished with four catches for a team-high 73 yards.Its been a long time coming to be able to play with him. And now hes finally back out here. It feels great for me. So I can only imagine what it feels like for him.Cruzs first catch was a simple 5-yarder just before the 2-minute warning in the first half, then he had a 23-yarder on the same drive to put the Giants in position for rookie Sterling Shepards first touchdown to put New York up 13-9 at halftime.He has so much experience finding windows, finding lanes, Manning said. Hes comfortable catching the ball and making guys miss. Im just so excited for him from the standpoint that its been a long time for him. Thats pretty special for him to get the game-winning touchdown on this day.Manning chided his seven-year veteran receiver for actually running the wrong route on the winning play. Cruz ended up in traffic, but slipped away from Dallas cornerback Brandon Carr. Mannings throw was beyond the reach of diving linebacker Justin Durant.Hes technically not supposed to do what he did, but well worry about that later, said Manning, who threw for 207 yards and three touchdowns with an interception tht led the Cowboys only TD. Its a minus, good job, good touchdown.And its a lot more than that. It happened on the 15th anniversary of 9/11, and Cruzs father was a firefighter who helped at ground zero for days after the terrorist attacks. His dad died in 2007.Its a heavy-hearted day, Cruz said. You think about that moment, you think about where you were on that day, you think about the emotions that went through your body on that day and you relieve those moments.Now Cruz has another memory to go with it.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Lawrence Taylor Youth Jersey . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Saquon Barkley Womens Jersey . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Julian-Love-Jersey/ . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Dexter Lawrence Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Phil Simms Youth Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. It is the season of the rookie in the NHL, and not just because of high-scoring forwards like Torontos Auston Matthews and Winnipegs Patrik Laine, or Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray. The biggest surprise of this season is how eight teams are using rookies on their top defensive pairing.Looking back through recent history, it is unusual for there to be more than one or two particularly exceptional defensemen to play on the top pair in their rookie season. In 2015-16, for example, there were only occasional stretches of the season when rookies like Carolinas Jaccob Slavin, Edmontons Darnell Nurse and Philadelphias Shayne Gostisbehere were on the top tandem. Right now, there are eight rookies being employed on the main duo.Not every teamm is using a rookie defenseman in the top two for the same reason.dddddddddddd Some teams are blessed with one of those rare and particularly talented prospects, like Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, while other teams have an elite veteran who is capable of guiding a young apprentice, like Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings or Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins. Some teams have been hit with so many injuries that they are left with few alternatives, like the Vancouver Canucks.Heres a ranking of the eight rookie defensemen being used on the top unit this season, and how they have fared so far: ' ' '