Lughead Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 Giants' Umenyiora wants to remain -- with changes EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Demoted defensive end Osi Umenyiora wants to remain with the New York Giants next season provided there are changes in how the team uses the two-time Pro Bowler. Umenyiora,who lost his starting job after a Thanksgiving loss in Denver, insisted on Wednesday that he is too good a player and makes too much money to only be a third-down pass rusher. The seven-year veteran also blamed frustration for comments on Sunday in which he wondered whether he had played his final game with the Giants in the wake of a crushing 41-9 loss to Carolina. He also refused to say whether he felt first-year defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan should be relieved of his duties. "I love this team," Umenyiora said after the Giants (8-7) practiced on Wednesday for their season finale in Minnesota against the Vikings (11-4). "I have spent the last seven years of my life here. I have a bunch of great friends here, but this situation cannot continue the way it is. There are definitely somethings that are going to be changed. "I love this place and this organization, the front office, the coaches, I am all in,"Umenyiora added. "But I think I am too good of a player for this kind of situation." Umenyiora, who will make about $3 million next season, said he has not talked to coach Tom Coughlin or general manager Jerry Reese in recent days. Coughlin on Monday said that Umenyiora is in the team's plans for next season. But Umenyiora is not happy. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Mathias Kiwanukaafter the loss to the Broncos, a game in which he acknowledged he didnot play well against the run. He also felt slighted after seeing only limited action (14 plays) in the loss to the Panthers, a game in which the Giants came in still holding playoff hopes. The result was some serious post game frustration, given it was also the last game at Giants Stadium and it meant a lot to him. "I am a great competitor and a man of great pride, so it's been difficult," said Umenyiora, who had a team-record six sacks against Philadelphia in a game two years ago. "It's been rough, but I have tried to keep my mouth quiet and keep my head down and do everything that has been asked of me, and unfortunately I just let my emotions get the best of me. I said some things that I should not have said." This is not the first time this season Umenyiora has had problems. He skipped a practice just before the start of the season after getting into a tiff with Sheridan, the former linebackers coach who was elevated to coordinator after Steve Spagnuolo was hired as the Rams head coach. He apologized the next day. "I can't take no shots at Bill," Umenyiora said. "This is his first year as D-coordinator. He has done an admirable job. I hope he doesn't get fired, but whatever happens, happens. He is a good man." Umenyiora,who leads the team with seven sacks, defended his own play this season.Despite missing all of last season with a knee injury, he insisted he was just as explosive as before the injury and that his play against the run remains good. "I don't look at myself and see any difference in the player I was before, and I think anybody who knows about football and watches football would say the same thing,"Umenyiora said. The Giants typically have little patience for players who complain too much. Last year, Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey was traded to the New Orleans Saints after complaining in the months after the Super Bowl. Umenyiora does not see himself as a malcontent, and said he does not plan to complain again. "I hope I am here," Umenyiora said. "I'd love to be here. I am definitely under contract here. So I can't really tell you I am going anywhere.It's all in their hands." Umenyiora plans to be ready for the Vikings, in whatever role the coaches want. He also wants to end the season with a win. "We were 5-0 and lost I don't know how many games," he said. "Everybody is on us telling us we are one of the worst teams in football and how can we let this happen? If you don't have the ability to get up for this game and put your foot down and say 'enough is enough' and play for as much pride and respect as you can, then you are in the wrong sport." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeMesiS Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I'm actually happy Osi said those things... I agree 100% he said. I wish he stays and gets healthy again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 "I can't take no shots at Bill," Ah the law of double negatives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I'm actually happy Osi said those things... I agree 100% he said. I wish he stays and gets healthy again. He will come back to form next year. He is not back to the Osi of old yet.. even if he feels he is.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 still didn't hear him taking any blame or vowing to get better. that's not good. the guy has shortcomings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 still didn't hear him taking any blame or vowing to get better. that's not good. the guy has shortcomings. I'm not sure Osi is the brightest guy around. He keeps digging himself deeper and deeper, in my view, anyway. "Durrr, I didn't mean no not-disrespect to Bill Sheridan, but that guy couldn't coordinate his zipper to take a piss....and durrr these guys with the Giants, them needs to make sure I get my ass ran over in the run game more often" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I'm not sure Osi is the brightest guy around. He keeps digging himself deeper and deeper, in my view, anyway. "Durrr, I didn't mean no not-disrespect to Bill Sheridan, but that guy couldn't coordinate his zipper to take a piss....and durrr these guys with the Giants, them needs to make sure I get my ass ran over in the run game more often" i don't think it's intelligence, i think he's very bright. the guy's been pampered all of his teen and adult life and told he's the best. he's had early success as a pro too. it's much easier to blame the system or the coaches then to be contrite and say 'there are things i need to learn.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 i don't think it's intelligence, i think he's very bright. the guy's been pampered all of his teen and adult life and told he's the best. he's had early success as a pro too. it's much easier to blame the system or the coaches then to be contrite and say 'there are things i need to learn.' then he needs to be smart enough to keep his mouth shut. simple as that. no one cares what his excuses are, coaches, the system, OR himself. that's what i mean, i just don't think he's smart enough or diplomatic enough to realize that. and in every interview, he sounds like a complete and utter moron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarence the Blue Puppet Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 then he needs to be smart enough to keep his mouth shut. simple as that. no one cares what his excuses are, coaches, the system, OR himself. that's what i mean, i just don't think he's smart enough or diplomatic enough to realize that. and in every interview, he sounds like a complete and utter moron. This is a former 2 time pro-bowler, and a human being...why all the hate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 This is a former 2 time pro-bowler, and a human being...why all the hate? you're right, lol.....it's just obnoxious the things that come out of that dude's mouth. "I'm not feeling the effects of the injury, my production dropped in half because the coaches didn't want to put me on the field. Oh? What? I wasn't very productive when I was out there and the coaches can't play FOR me? How do you mean? All my sacks come against garbage tackles and garbage teams? Huh?" It'd be nice if he stepped up and became a leader for a change instead of blaming everyone else for his poor play. And yes, I know, he had 7 sacks. And before anyone says anything, 4 of his sacks were against Washington(1 in each game) and Kansas City(2). A decimated oline and no oline. So it wasn't like he had much of an impact in any of the other 12 games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGBLUE01 Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I'm actually happy Osi said those things... I agree 100% he said. I wish he stays and gets healthy again. Agreed Nem. His frustration at least shows hes concerned. I think this years meltdown was not as bad as it seems. A new DC and some help at MLB should help tremendously. this team is still a team that should, after a few tweaks, be a team competing for the crown the next few years. Im extremely happy with our young rec. corps, most notably Nicks. But as for Osi. I too am glad he said these things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandolphScott Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 i don't think it's intelligence, i think he's very bright. the guy's been pampered all of his teen and adult life and told he's the best. he's had early success as a pro too. it's much easier to blame the system or the coaches then to be contrite and say 'there are things i need to learn.' I'd agree with you, but he went to Troy State. Outside of Umenyioria and DeMarcus Ware...how many football players came out of Troy State? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treehugger Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 Agreed Nem. His frustration at least shows hes concerned. Agreed. I'd rather see frustration than a bunch of guys who don't care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. P Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I'd agree with you, but he went to Troy State. Outside of Umenyioria and DeMarcus Ware...how many football players came out of Troy State? fan favorite lawrence tynes came from troy state Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I'd agree with you, but he went to Troy State. Outside of Umenyioria and DeMarcus Ware...how many football players came out of Troy State? i don't see your point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandolphScott Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 i don't see your point. I could agree with you if he went to a place like Ohio State, USC, Florida, Miami, etc.. but...Troy State? Relatively small school in terms of football, no? I think he only started to play football his junior year of high school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 I could agree with you if he went to a place like Ohio State, USC, Florida, Miami, etc.. but...Troy State? Relatively small school in terms of football, no? I think he only started to play football his junior year of high school. oh you mean he hasn't been coddled. maybe so, but he's not accepting responsibility. regardless of scheme, he was benched because he can't play the run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RandolphScott Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 oh you mean he hasn't been coddled. maybe so, but he's not accepting responsibility. regardless of scheme, he was benched because he can't play the run. Oh, I agree with you, he played the run like crap this year..I never remember him doing that either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 i don't think it's intelligence, i think he's very bright. the guy's been pampered all of his teen and adult life and told he's the best. he's had early success as a pro too. it's much easier to blame the system or the coaches then to be contrite and say 'there are things i need to learn.' I agree man....having Strahan and a healthy Tuck taking on double teams....or having a healthy Robbins and Cofield push up the middle sure helps his speed rush past the QB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fringe Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 I agree man....having Strahan and a healthy Tuck taking on double teams....or having a healthy Robbins and Cofield push up the middle sure helps his speed rush past the QB. well, if we are going to keep sack specialists in there, which i think osi and tuck are, then we certainly need linebackers. that's for damn sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tempest Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 One of the things that bothers me about his statement to the press was he didn't know how many games they lost. Hell find me a fan who doesn't know that number. He's on the field and is as responsible as every single man on the team. Should post that number in the locker room, maybe that would have lit a fire. Osi wants to stay, he needs to improve his game against the run. Hecan't count how many games they lost but can keep track of how muchtime he spends on the sideline instead of the field? You earn your position, its not handed to you for being a first day pick. He got demoted for a good reason and if he was on the field, the Panthers would have run an extra 50 yards on us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Agreed Nem. His frustration at least shows hes concerned. I think this years meltdown was not as bad as it seems. A new DC and some help at MLB should help tremendously. this team is still a team that should, after a few tweaks, be a team competing for the crown the next few years. Im extremely happy with our young rec. corps, most notably Nicks. But as for Osi. I too am glad he said these things. I agree....I'm more concerned with the guys who play like they're on roller skates, and then walk of the field holding hands with someone who just spent the last 60 minutes kicking their ass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaylorBanksCarsonVanPelt Posted January 5, 2010 Share Posted January 5, 2010 I agree....I'm more concerned with the guys who play like they're on roller skates, and then walk of the field holding hands with someone who just spent the last 60 minutes kicking their ass. More like measuring their holes for some plunging or fisting Bro....I have never...I mean never seen such inept and pure I don't give a shit defense in my life on any Giants team. Even Rod Rust's Read And React looks like the Steel Curtain, Purple People Eaters and The Big Blue Wrecking Crew all rolled up into one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMFP Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 More like measuring their holes for some plunging or fisting Bro....I have never...I mean never seen such inept and pure I don't give a shit defense in my life on any Giants team. Even Rod Rust's Read And React looks like the Steel Curtain, Purple People Eaters and The Big Blue Wrecking Crew all rolled up into one. I agree....it was that bad. I've sat through some shitty seasons, going back the the Pisarcik years....and that's the worst defense I've ever seen from the Giants. Wellington is rolling over in his grave. That's why I honestly am not worried about whether they go 4-3 or 3-4 next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now