It’s been fun watching Osi Umenyiora follow in footsteps similar to those of former Giants great Michael Strahan.
Drafted in the second round from a small school, bursting onto the NFL scene, and now taking advantage of his season-ending knee surgery by getting a head start on his post-NFL career.
However, he didn’t manage the situation as maturely as he should have.
Umenyiora surprised many by appearing on ESPN’s pre-game show preceding the Giants vs. Browns game. He appeared to be very comfortable talking about an array of topics with the current analysts at ESPN and definitely made a great first impression for potential job suitors down the road.
Except, as a Giants fan, I wasn’t pleased with Umenyiora’s statements.
The first thing that negatively influenced my opinion of him was his common use of the word “they” when referring to the Giants. He used it too frequently and almost as if he is no longer part of the team.
But it was on Inside the NFL where Umenyiora’s opinions really irked me.
This past June, there were strong rumors that Umenyiora desperately wanted to re-work his contract that he signed only a couple of years back. Apparently he was displeased with the structuring of it, and as a result he fired his agent after the Super Bowl.
Couple this with the fact that “backup” Justin Tuck received a monstrous deal worth slightly more than Umenyiora prompted him to ask the Giants for a new deal.
When all signs pointed to him being a training camp holdout, Umenyiora came out during a public event proclaiming that he knew the Giants would take care of him, and he would hold off on demanding a new deal until later.
Fast forward to mid-October. Umenyiora continues to parade through major media outlets, contributing significantly to an airing of Inside the NFL. At one point, he was asked about the situation with Plaxico Burress, and what he makes of it.
“I don’t agree with the way some players responded, coming out and openly supporting the team or openly supporting the organization as far as the discipline for Plaxico Burress is concerned. You can never come out and defend the team against your own teammates.
"He’s the guy who’s going to go out there, blood, sweat, and tears for you. At the end of the day, the team is going to look for your replacement while your teammates are there for you for the rest of your life.”
Before criticizing his teammates, Osi should have looked at his own situation. With reports that Osi already lost a substantial amount of incentive-based money due to his knee injury, one can be sure he will be much more aggressive in the summer of 2009 looking for a new deal.
Osi, don’t you think that you’ll want the full support of your teammates in the event that this re-negotiation doesn’t turn out so pretty? With comments like the ones said on Inside the NFL, he isn’t helping his case.
For the record, Umenyiora is going to be a monster in 2009. With the emergence of Justin Tuck and success on the interior from Fred Robbins, there won’t be nearly as much attention on him as he thought he would command in 2008.
Despite the 14 sacks, that knee bothered him through the bulk of the 2007-08 season. Can you imagine what he can do when he is fully healthy?
But all of that goes for naught if he doesn’t handle himself better. He is going to have to re-establish his place in the locker room after making a name for himself by throwing his teammates under the bus.
Also, with the success of Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka, he should realize that the Giants have all the leverage, and won’t give into his whims.
10 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Michael Schlossberg 8 months ago
I do agree... he shouldn't be making these appearances as analysts... but i also agree with your closing point that the Giants haven't missed a beat with the pass rush... Justin Tuck is the best Defensive Lineman in football, period.. Kiwi has filled in for Osi very nicely because they are similar type of athletic edge pass rushers... That being said I would definitely hold onto Osi no doubt about it he is the type of player who can be a dominant pass rusher...
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David Geller 8 months ago
At what cost do you think? I want to keep him too but would you re-do his deal? If we re-do his, guys will be piling on behind him.
Very fragile stuff...
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Travis Rand 8 months ago
It true. What point do we say enough is enough?
I love Osi, I really do. And I honestly have to say... He should be making more than Tuck. It's just the facts. On third downs when our line is Robbins, Tuck, Umenyiora, and Kiwi... That HONESTLY makes me scared... we could have 60 freakin sacks!
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Edgar Antonio Nunez 8 months ago
There is NO doubt the Giants should reward Umenyiora. He's a highly-marketable guy, outstanding citizen, one of the best in his positions, respected by teammates, and one of the faces of the team. Who said you can't have enough pass rushers? (Was it Parcells?)
Extending his contract and giving him a pay raise is a no brainer.
Let's not be purists here. These men risk their bodies and health over the years, etc. If you had an opportunity to leverage your skills and profession for more pay within your company, you'd be crazy not to do so. I know I have and will. Don't mess with my money :P.
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David Geller 8 months ago
it was Ernie Accorsi that said it, he said it after the Giants drafted Kiwi in 06.
The thing is the Giants rewarded him already. I think after the 05 season we gave him a fresh 5 year deal worth over 30 million. Two years later he wants a new one.
It puts the Giants FO in an awkward spot. Whenever players outplay their new contracts even for a year they'll be asking for a new one. If the Giatns reward Osi then Tuck will have a right to ask for a new deal too.
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Alex McVeigh 8 months ago
Interesting article, but I disagree with several of your points.
I don't think there's anything wrong with Umenyiora saying "they", he's talking about the G-Men that are actually playing the game. If he came out and said something like, "I like the way we manhandled the Steelers O-Line", that would just come off as pretentious, seeing as he had nothing to do with it.
I also agree with what he said about Plax. While the Plax thing is a mess, he has every right to say that teammates shouldn't choose the "suits" for lack of a better word over their fellow players. I think that because Osi is still an active player, he has more of a feel for that, which is something that can't be said for many analysts.
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Alex McVeigh 8 months ago
Sorry, one more thing. I don't understand how you can say that the Giants are doing just fine without Osi, and that they cann afford to lose him, without thinking how FREAKING UNBELIEVABLE their pass rush would be with him. Imagine if Tuck wasn't getting those double teams.
Barry Cofield is no slouch either, and I with Osi and Tuck getting all the attention in 2009, he can make his own name for himself.
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David Geller 8 months ago
I never said they could afford to lose him, but that Osi has no leverage in contract negotiations with the success of our two ends this year.
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David Geller 8 months ago
I would leave Kiwi at end when Osi comes back too.
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David Brodian 8 months ago
I too was a little disturbed when I first saw Osi on ESPN. Yet, I think he was saying "they" because when you are an injured player you never really feel like you are part of the guys. Especially, when you are a professional. It is rare that these players live where they play, except during the season. Thus, when a player gets hurt he is usually home resting and rehabbing. Last week, Osi did something players on the IR rarely do, show up and sit at practice. I'm not too worried about this situation because I think if Osi were going to make a big deal about his contract he would have already done so.
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