Eli Manning, Victor Cruz

Giants quarterback Eli Manning and former wide receiver Victor Cruz (William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Asked about the allegations that Eli Manning is involved in a memorabilia scam, ex-Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz spoke glowingly about the character of his former quarterback.

"Let's be clear: His character is top-notch," Cruz said while co-hosting Ebro In The Morning on Hot 97 on Thursday. "For years in this town everyone has seen him out and about - or probably not seen him because he doesn't go anywhere - but any time he's in front of a camera, you see him, he's always a stand-up guy. He's always been a high-character individual. So when you see something like this happen, you're initial reaction is, 'Nah, I don't know what this is, but it will blow over soon.' "

Cruz then added a very big "but." He doesn't expect this controversy to blow over quickly because Manning still has not explained the context on an email he sent to equipment manager Joe Skiba seeking "2 helmets that can pass as game used" in 2010. Memorabilia collectors claim in a civil lawsuit that Manning gave gear that was not worn in games to be sold by Steiner Sports as authentic.

Manning vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said the email was taken out of context. But, citing the pending litigation, he has not provided any evidence to back up his assertions.

"It's going to be some conversations to be had," Cruz said. "Something is going to have to be said. Eli is going to have to admit or own up to whatever this is and we'll see what happens. Because there's a question of what was that email about. You're asking your equipment manager to send you something that resembles game-worn apparel. What is it about? Is it for your auntie back in Mississippi that just wants a jersey? Or is it for someone that is paying you for whatever?"

Cruz said it's "extremely common" for players to give away gear that was not actually worn in games.

"But the fact that he wrote the actual words 'pass for game-worn,' that's the part that's like ...," Cruz said as he raised an eyebrow with suspicion.

Cruz said Manning was the first person to call with words of encouragement after the Giants released the 30-year-old in February. Cruz, who still hasn't signed with a new team, doesn't plan on calling Manning about the memorabilia controversy.

"I haven't spoken to him about it and I probably never will because Eli is Eli and he'll figure it out," Cruz said.

While Cruz raised his suspicions about Manning's actions, another former teammate offered an unequivocal defense of the quarterback.

"Eli is as clean as they come," former Giants running back Brandon Jacobs told NJ Advance Media on Thursday. "Eli is one of the most wholesome guys you'll ever meet. There's not one person you would know who makes all the money that Eli's made and still drives a damn free Toyota he gets from Toyota. It's just crazy.

"Why would he try to sell fake memorabilia to anybody when he's got all that at his hands and he drives a free Toyota? I can see if the guy was running around with diamond chains on, driving Lamborghinis and buying big mansions and living check-to-check and spending everything - I could see (someone doing that). But I just can't see him robbing and stealing from people. I just can't. His true colors are going to come out at some point."

Jacobs has his own memorabilia issues. He alleged that the Giants sold the jersey he wore in Super Bowl XLII and gave him a backup shirt that he has hanging in his house.

"I don't have any resolution with my situation," Jacobs said. "I don't really care about what happens. I just want my damn jersey back. That's all I want. I don't care what happens. I only want my stuff back."

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Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find our Giants coverage on Facebook.