It looks like disgruntled defensive end Osi Umenyiora might be the one to blink in his contract stalemet with the New York Giants. Various reports Monday night indicated that Umenyiora will get a second opinion on the condition of his left knee. If the knee is OK, Umenyiora will apparently get off the exercise bike and return to the field. If surgery is recommended, he will likely do that.
"It's time," Umenyiora's agent, Tony Agnone, told Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News. "In the end, it's always better for the player to be back on the field."
Umenyiora has not practiced yet during training camp, claiming knee issues as he has tried to squeeze a new contract or a trade out of the Giants. Umenyiora wants more than the $7.1 million he is owed in the final two years of his contract.
Reports have indicated that the Giants are offering incentives, but that Umenyiora will only accept them if the team voids the final year of his deal -- allowing him to be a free agent after this year. The Giants have refused.
A simple return to the field by Umenyiora would be a surprising end to this standoff. Perhaps, if the knee checks out and he returns to practice the Giants might then be more amenable to adjusting his deal.
Either way, though, it seems an end to the Umenyiora saga is coming.