Jerry Reese vs. Osi Umenyiora: Whose Side Are You On?
The New York Giants are coming off a year in which they made another improbable Super Bowl run fueled by the play of their defensive line. A major aspect of the improvement on the defensive line was the healthy return of Osi Umenyiora, former Pro Bowl-er and pass rusher extraordinaire.
The Giants were able to keep pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a steady diet from Osi, Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck.
Osi was a monster in the 2012 playoffs, collecting 3.5 sacks over four games against some of the best offensive lines in the game. It was clear he was out to prove his worth during that run.
As Jerry Reese reiterated in a radio interview on Tuesday, the Giants are a better team when Osi is healthy and playing like that.
“I’m not going to discuss Osi’s contract situation with you guys. I can say this to you, though: the New York Giants are a better football team with Osi Umenyiora on our team. We respect him as a football player. Our goal is to have Osi play football with the New York Giants and retire as a Giant. That is what we would like to do first. All of our options are open as I have said before but Osi makes us a better football team, I do know that.”
I have to admire Reese during this entire situation. He could have easily fired back and stirred up a major controversy when Osi has badmouthed him on several occasions. Instead of looking childish and immature, he has paid respect to Osi’s talents to the media.
This whole feud started when Osi responded to comments made by Reese in a live TV interview during the 2012 NFL Draft. Reese commented that the Giants have offered two contract extensions to Osi the previous calendar year, both of which he turned down.
This was news to just about everybody, and Osi quickly responded to these comments. In an email to the Newark Star-Ledger, Osi claims he is not a “greedy pig” as the Giants are making him out to be.
“They offered an extension, guaranteeing half of what they just gave ‘Kiwi’ [Mathias Kiwanuka] guaranteed. So he is telling the truth. And I’m a greedy pig for turning down half of what they just gave ‘Kiwi.’ Lol.”
Clearly Osi is being sarcastic when he says Reese is telling the truth.
With one of these opportunities arising for Reese to retaliate to the media, he instead insisted nothing is personal about the contract negotiations with Osi.
“I don’t carry grudges. That is the offseason, that is part of the job. In the offseason there is always some controversy about contracts. It is not just one person, it can be several different people with contract situations. That is part of my job, it is never personal, I don’t think it is personal with respect to players and it definitely is not personal with respect to me. It is just part of the business.”
So I ask you, whose side are you on Giants fan? There is no question the Giants are a better team with Osi on the field, but will he be willing to accept a backup role? All signs seem to point towards a holdout from Osi. He is frustrated with the organization and feels he deserves compensation for his contributions to the team.
Can the Giants move on if Osi is traded? They have two talented starters in JPP and Tuck, as well as starting linebacker Kiwanuka, who could be moved back to defensive end in a pinch.
If the Giants want to keep their Super Bowl winning formula together, it could cost them a pretty penny. They’ve already lost multiple contributors from last year’s team, are they willing to lose one more?
The following months will give us an answer, hopefully one that keeps the Giants a contender.
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As a man, Osi, you gotta honor the contract. I don’t know who is advising you but that is not the hand you should be playing. Unfortunately you got hurt during the time where you would have really made a mark for yourself. You came back and you didn’t immediately play up to the contract. You have risen in your game and now you are at the end of your contract. The only hand you have to play is to go hard this last year, get the Giants back to the Super Bowl on your back. Your Market Value has just went thru the roof. Now you are a Free agent and you don’t owe the Giants anything, just as the Giants doesn’t owe you anything. It’s a business, Remember?
I agree….needless to say I was very skeptical when Osi promised a “quiet” offseason…well that lasted about a month before he was whining about his contract again.
I am an avid NYG fan, for some time now and have seen the D with and without Osi….From my perspective I don’t see him as a complete player concentrating on rushing the QB sometimes at the expense of defending the run. I would hate to see him leave, but a disgruntled player will hurt the chemistry of the team and Kiwanuka is an able and ready filler at the end spot.
The Giants are definitely better with Osi, but it’s not like he’s irreplaceable
If Osi is telling the truth then I am on his side, Jerry has not honest about the Giants real opinion on keeping OSI. Osi is a top ten pass rusher and should at least get a contract as good or a bit better than what Kiwi just signed.If not Jerry trade the guy for a 2nd or third round pick.
he hasn’t been honest about his opinion on keeping Osi? He’s said the entire time that they want Osi back but are keeping their options open…that’s about as basic a principle for being a GM as it gets.
I would like to see Osi remain a Giant however he will be 32 next season. A fair 2 year extension would be good for both the Giants and Osi. I have seen all these other players leave who thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence and have not made a big impact for other teams. Should I mention Steve Smith, Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss and Plaxico Buress. You notice that David Carr decided to return to the Giants and I wonder why???? I would let Osi play out his contract and evaluate the situation at the end of the season.
Lets face it, the Giants are one of the Flagship franchises of the NFL and have a class operation. I have a lot of confidence in Jerry Reese
Great comment.
OSI is a greedy man he signed a 7 year deal with all his MONEY upfront. Why do you ask well GREEDY players do this often since they know if they get hurt or dont play up to the deal within a few years they still got AWAY with the $$$$. So what him and his Agent planned lets take it all up fron then when you 3-4 years left we cry and bitch and moan until they give in and trade you or pay but either way you get paid…. SORRY not this time REESE doesn’t play that #### play out your deal and STFU.
Osi is a great player BUT he is a backup he will be 32 and is injury prone how much does he really expect to make… He is going to have him john Adbraham or Hines Ward moment when he relizes he is a D-line player and at 32 you dont get 10 Million a year as the 3rd best DE on your team.
Reese best GM in the league, Osi 3rd best DE on the team when he manage to stay healthy…
Offer him a 3-4 year deal 4 MIL a year GAR with incentives to earn up to 2 MIL more that does then throw in a 500K bonus every year so if he plays up to the level he wants to be paid he can make 7.5 MIL and it only costs the Giants 4MIL in cap room
I thought he got his money up front too, but Spotrac shows all of his money was actually backloaded, with his bonus being evenly spread out for all those years.
Osi had prove to be a man who does not keep his word. He is under contract and he has to realize that he is obligated to live up to that. Instead, Osi continue to be a crying baby. On top of that, he is allways hurt.
Reese, in the other side, is a lot more important inn the team than Osi. Reese is the best GM in the league.