Frustrated over his contract, Osi Umenyiora and the New York Giants might be on the precipice of somewhat surprising and ill-timed break up.Umenyiora held out the first day of camp on Friday because of his contract, which he wants restructured. Even though the defensive end has returned to camp, he has not changed his stance one iota.
"What really annoys me is the hypocrisy of people clamoring for my head for asking for a new deal or to be traded,” Umenyiora wrote. “Saying I have 2 years left on my deal. These contracts only mean something to us? Where is O’Hara? Where is Seubert? True—inspirational football players.
“They were cut after being injured. They have years left on their deal. Why is Jacobs asked to take a pay cut? He has years left on his deal. The fact is in the business we are in, if you get injured, or they feel like you underperformed, they cut you without hesitation. But if you clearly outplay your contract, and ask for something to be done, you’re a bad guy and not a team player. It’s ridiculous,” Umenyiora told reporters on Monday.
As a result, the Giants have given Umenyiora and his agent permission to seek a trade with another team. Losing Umenyiora would be hard to take, considering he's a sack machine, racking up 11.5 sacks last year; in addition, for a defensive end, he is so physically fit that it increases his incredible speed off the edge; consequently, he looks more like a tight end than a lineman.
Where will he go?
New York Jets: The Jets desperately need a pass rusher, but the Giants asking price might be a bit too much. I would venture to guess that Umenyiora would require a first and a second round pick, and maybe a ready made player in return. I don't know if the Jets would be willing to do that. Plus trading a talented player like Umenyiora across town to the Jets would be the ultimate kiss of death for the Giants; a P.R. move if it turns gold for Gang Green, is something the G-Men won't recover from.
Baltimore Ravens: Rumors were floated by the Daily News that Baltimore is in hot pursuit of Umenyiora. Like the Jets, the Ravens would have to give up a first round pick to get him. However this deal makes a lot of sense. The Giants would send Umenyiora out of town and out of the NFC. Plus the Ravens would get a young, viable piece to add to their aging defense. With Ray Lewis and Ed Reed getting older, the Ravens need an injection of youth on their defense. Adding Umenyiora would defiantly help their pass rush.
St. Louis Rams: Steve Spagnolo, the former Giants defensive coordinator, who was the mastermind behind the Giants Super Bowl push in 2007, is entering his third year at the helm of the Rams, as he tries to find a way to get that football team over the hump in the dreadful NFC West. Adding Umenyiora would give the Rams instant credibility, and a pass rusher they have not had since the early 2000's with Kevin Carter.
Seattle Seahawks: Seattle is looking for a dominant pass rusher. After acquiring former Vikings Travaris Jackson and Sidney Rice to lead them offensively, Seattle is rumored to be looking for a edge pass rusher. Umenyiora would be a good fit for Pete Carroll. Plus Carroll's easy going personality would be a big relief for Umenyiora.
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