." Every few days, Giants.com's exclusive Writer/Editor Michael Eisen will pick some of the best questions and comments we receive via email* and answer them right here! If you'd like to submit a question or comment to Michael, click here.

Dear Michael,

How can a 2nd year tight end outperform the great Madison Hedgecock? Is it purely a matter of speed?

regards,
Joost

Dear Joost?
Madison Hedgecock is great? Nothing against Hedgecock, who has been a very solid fullback here, but great is a strong. Bear Pascoe, as Tom Coughlin has said more than once, "gives you everything he's got." He's a smart, solid player with a team-first attitude who is driven to succeed. And the transition from tight end to fullback is not that difficult. He's doing the same job at both positions – knocking down defenders to create holes for the running back. In that sense, his success at fullback shouldn't be a surprise.

Dear Michael,

I am inquiring about Victor Cruz.  In the preseason, he was a sensation.  While understandably it is difficult for him to get playing time with the talented receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, he was mysteriously (and very quietly) placed on season ending IR last week with a "hamstring" issue to make way for the addition of a second kicker once Tynes injured his ankle.  But, there was no indication from published accounts that he had a "season ending" type of hamstring injury.  For example, Aaron Ross was kept on the roster almost all season last year despite his multiple (and by all accounts, more serious) hamstring issues and missing many games.  Can you provide more information on the type of hamstring injury he had to warrant him missing the last 3 months of the season?  Or, has Cruz fell out of favor with the coaching staff?

Raymond

Dear Raymond:
It's not that big a mystery. Cruz underwent an MRI exam, which showed a tear in his hamstring. He is a wide receiver and wide receivers need to run. It's impossible to run with a torn hamstring. That injury takes time to heal and the Giants were not going to keep on their roster a rookie free agent receiver who may or may not contribute if/when he returns late in the season. The roster spot is too valuable. Cruz will have an opportunity to show that he belongs again next year.

Dear Michael,

Do you think Defensive-Coordinator Perry Fewell will be able to follow in the footsteps of the 2008 Super Bowl-winning coordinator Steve Spagnuolo?  Spagnuolo's defense gave up 80 points in the first two games of that season, which mirrors the combined 67 points Fewell's defense gave up in weeks two and three.  After an impressive outing against the Texans, is it too soon to start comparing Fewell to Spagnuolo?

Charlie:
You're not the first to make that comparison. After a brief early stumble, Perry Fewell's defense is hitting its stride, just as Steve Spagnuolo's did three years ago. I do think several similarities exist between the situations. Both coordinators are vocal, enthusiastic coaches who are well-liked by their players. They teach schemes the players enjoy playing and they welcome input from the players. I'm certainly not going to predict another Super Bowl victory, but I think the Spagnuolo-Fewell comparison is valid.