Mass transit; Victor Cruz makes short trip from Amherst to Giants' best.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Jennifer Toland

INDIANAPOLIS - Victor Cruz takes no offense at not being invited here, where the top pro prospects assemble every February for the NFL Scouting Combine, two years ago following his final season at UMass.

"I understand how that whole thing goes," Cruz said yesterday. "I was from a small school. I wasn't 6-5, 220 pounds. I didn't have off-the-wall statistics.

"But," Cruz added, while smiling brightly, "I'd rather be here now for the Super Bowl."

Cruz's first full season with the Giants has been nothing short of spectacular. Phenomenal, really.

He set a franchise record for receiving yards with 1,536, and also led the team with 82 receptions and nine receiving touchdowns.

After signing with the Giants as an undrafted free agent, Cruz spent the summer of 2010 just trying to make the roster. Now, he's drawing the ire of opposing defenses, giving salsa lessons in Times Square and trying to help the Giants to their fourth Super Bowl championship.

"He's always been a hard worker since day one," teammate Antrel Rolle said. "I can't say I imagined him having this kind of season, but I'm not surprised he has had it."

Cruz overcame a number of obstacles to get to this point. He grew up in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Paterson, N.J. He struggled with academics at UMass and was kicked off the team twice for poor grades. He dealt with the death of his father. He started only two seasons for the Minutemen.

"I admire him a whole lot because I see where he's come from," Rolle said, "and where he's at now."

Cruz had an outstanding 2010 preseason and did in fact make the team, but a hamstring injury cut his rookie season short.

He began 2011 training camp as the Giants' fourth receiver, but his year got going in a hurry with a three-catch, two-touchdown, 110-yard game against the Eagles in Week 3.

Cruz went on to have a franchise-record seven 100-yard receiving games. He and Hakeem Nicks, who finished the year with 1,192 yards, were the first pair of 1,000-yard receivers in the same season in Giants history. In Week 16, Cruz had a 99-yard touchdown reception against the Jets, which was a must-win game for the Giants.

Cruz had 10 catches for 142 yards in New York's win over the 49ers in the NFC Championship.

"(Cruz) has had an exceptional year as he learns more about how to play at an NFL level," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.

Cruz, who is half Puerto Rican, choreographed his touchdown celebration salsa as an ode to his Hispanic...