Photo Credit: aidanperret/Statigram
Prior to the 2012-13 NFL season, there were contract issues between defensive end Osi Umenyiora and the New York Giants. The 2012-13 season was the last year of Umenyiora’s seven-year contract with “Big Blue” and both sides at the time were clearly not on the same page.
For years, ever since Umenyiora signed his long-term deal in 2005, the British-born pass rusher had never been comfortable in regards to how he was being paid in New York. Osi Umenyiora felt he deserved more money then and still feels strongly about his opinion now.
Umenyiora wanted nothing more than to play for the New York Giants for the 2012-13 season, especially after winning the Super Bowl the previous year. The Giants’ rusher ended up renegotiating his deal on his last year and was paid around $6 million dollars.
To many fans, that might sound like tons of money, but Umenyiora actually took a pay cut in 2012 considering the salaries that other pass rushers were making around the league, nearly $10-11 million.
Now that Umenyiora’s last year is over with the Giants, it seems that “renegotiations” are no longer an option. The Giants’ defensive lineman made this loud and clear on ESPN radio.
“I just feel fortunate to be able to play 10 years in New York in this city and that organization,” Umenyiora said on “The Michael Kay Show.” “It was a great run, a great ride. I think now is probably time to move on.”
“There’s really not much left for me to accomplish here in New York,” Umenyiora said. “If you look at things that have been done here, what is there that is to be done that I haven’t done? We’ve won a championship twice. I think I’ve been a Pro Bowl player. And everything has pretty much gone better than I could have ever imagined here in New York. So if there is a time to leave, it would probably be now.”
Judging from the above statements, it very much sounds like Osi Umenyiora is ready to leave New York and make a run yet again at a long-term deal with another team. When Umenyiora signs with a different franchise as an unrestricted free agent, it will most likely be the last years of his NFL career.
Osi Umenyiora ended up with 43 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 6 sacks in the 2012-13 season.
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He’s good, but he’s not worth the money. Someone will pay him though. Perhaps the Saints.
Saints huh? New Orleans was ranked dead last in total defense in the 2012-13 NFL regular season so it could sure be a possibility.
I am not famliiar with all the cap issues regarding the Giants but it seems like a purge is underway. Their history of yo-yo seasons have been frustrating to their fans for sure. While they certainly have to start turning over that roster and developing new talent I’d be wary of losing too much of that veteran talent too soon. In Osi’s case, he has made many waves previously and perhaps his unique situation is “too far gone” to maintain. I don’t think they need to be blown up. Injuries played a big part in their demise this season. If Coughlin still has the locker room paying attention, just some tinkering is in order.
Thanks for the comment Bruce and well said. The Giants have indeed been dropping their veterans lately (i.e. Ahmad Bradshaw, Chris Canty and Osi Umenyiora) Their cross-town rivals in the New York Jets did the same thing a couple of years ago and look where the team is now. Veteran leadership is tremendously key for a team, but nowadays, money is more important.
I can’t imagine this being a very popular move in the Apple.
Not at all, for years the Giants’ always had a strong front line. With Osi Umenyiora gone, the Giants will still have a tough D-line, but losing Osi might change a lot of things, could even be positive. You never know.
The NFC East this past season was woefully inept in so many ways. The Giants had to do something, with the departures of Canty, and Bradshaw, you simply know that wasn’t and won’t be the last of their household cleaning chores.
It does seem like the Giants are making more big-time decisions this off-season. A lot has to do with contracts of course, but something tells us that “Big Blue” is purely focused on re-shuffling and giving the team a different look. When all is set and done, let’s see where the team is “roster wise” and then we’ll re-evaluate.
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