Readers weigh in on DE Osi Umenyiora's latest opinions.
It's time to trade Osi. I always feared his pride would get the better of him. I'd take a high second round pick for him (Rams?). But maybe we can get a future #1 from Al Davis. lol. – Steve C.
Personally, I’d like to see both sides try to work out their differences. It’s not the Giants’ style to trade a guy away if he’s unhappy – if they did that, you’d be surprised how many players would have been gone by now. Let’s not be so quick to say, “Trade him!” because that’s the easy way out.
* * *
I think a lot of people are mis-reading what Osi is doing. He is doing the same thing Strahan did on two occasions, to get a new contract. Osi is 28 going on his 8th year in the league. At best he has one more very good contract, if he stays healthy.
I think the Giants will manage the situation with Osi very much the way they did with Michael. Do you recall when Tiki sounded off against Strahan and his contract demands? Strahan was doing nothing more than posturing. I do think that he would like the contract redone and not so dependent on incentives. I do not know his agent but you can rest assure he is feeding him the verbiage he is spewing.
I heard his interview on WFAN. I was in my car driving back from an appointment. We all have to learn that players will always have a desire for more money. Their agents tell them how to get it. My guess the situation will be resolved and OSI will not be holding out for training camp. I can not see the Giants re-doing his contract as that would open Pandora’s Box.
Do you notice in yesterday's POST that Strahan was predicting a big year for OSI because it is the second year coming off of knee surgery? Do you get the picture? If what I have read and heard is true, that Michael and OSI are very tight it does not surprise me in what he is doing. He is helping his buddy out. Come training camp we will all learn the rest of the story. -- Frank C.
There’s one problem with your theory, Frank. Strahan is a future Hall of Famer who proved himself year after year and who repeatedly drew double and triple teams, which meant that Umenyiora often had to beat solo blocking, which he did. Strahan earned his contract hands down, and there was never any doubt the Giants would take care of him.
As for Umenyiora, great guy. However, I don’t think he’s in the same class as Strahan as far as being a player goes. If you recall, one of the questions I raised in the 2008 season preview BEFORE Umenyiora suffered a knee injury concerned how effective Umenyiora would be without Strahan drawing double and triple teams on the other side.
We obviously didn’t get the answer in 2008 due to his season ending knee injury. I thought we might get answers in 2009, but once tuck was hurt, teams no longer needed to double him up either. So I think the jury is still out on this one.
Umenyiora is represented by Tony Agnone, who was Strahan’s agent, by the way. Also, I remember Strahan once telling me that he thought Umenyiora would break his single season sack record, so yes they’re close.
* * *
I guess we are lame to expect that we would be mission another spoiled Giants player tooting their horn for "respect". The fans have said it all these past few days...Mgmt will hear out the complaint, stroke the ego (please no new contract or guarantees), see if the "player" is responding and if still not satisfied with the player then move on.....surely someone would love to "buy" the current Osi contract...the player gets a change in venue (retreads their career, maybe) and the Giants get something decent in return (high draft choice) or some bundled players and draft choices. Hey, maybe the Panthers & Giants can swing a deal that satisfies all...Peppers for Osi? Enjoy the theater - who said it was dull in the off-season? – Terry D.
Terry, as I said previously, it’s not the Giants’ style to sever ties with someone unless all possible avenues of negotiation have been exhausted. If I’m management, I sit down with Umenyiora and I say, “Look, you say you love this team, you say you feel you can help us win, so put your money where you mouth is and prove your love is unconditional. If we’re telling you that we need you to be a reserve, then accept it and be a team player.”
