New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora had a resurgent 2010 season, with 11.5 sacks and a record-setting 10 forced fumbles. The master of the 'strip sack' played his best football since the Super Bowl season of 2007 and answered those (like myself) who thought he was no longer capable of being a difference-maker on a consistent basis.
Umenyiora joined Kim Jones and Ed Coleman on WFAN Radio to talk about the just-concluded Giants' season. Courtesy of Sports Radio Interviews, we can read the transcript of Osi's appearance. Follow the jump for the highlights.
On where the motivation came from to prove the doubters wrong that he indeed still is an elite defense end in the NFL?
"Well for the most part listening to everything that was said last year about the team and about me personally. For me personally, I kind of wanted to come out and prove to everybody that all of that was false."
On what kind of taste the 2010 season has left for him?
"Bittersweet. I think we all wanted to go into the playoffs. We have the type of team and talent that is supposed to be in the playoffs, but unfortunately we didn't make it. We did a lot of good things. We have a lot of good players, a lot of young players step up, a lot of veteran players play their butts off, but unfortunately we didn't get to the final destination. We have a lot to be proud of though."
On looking back to the Green Bay contest and what happened in that game?
"I honestly really don't know. We had a very good week of practice going into that game. We thought we were actually going to go in there and win. We thought we were a good team. When we showed up there on that Sunday they just totally outplayed us. I have to give it to them. They had a hot quarterback. The offense played very very well and the defense is outstanding. It was a rough game for us, but hopefully we can put that past us and move into next year."
Did the last eight minutes plus against the Philadelphia Eagles really do the New York Giants 2010 season in and become the defining moment?
"Yeah I mean it seemed like it. After that we thought we were going to rebound like we always did. We had a very good week of practice like I said earlier, but unfortunately it didn't translate into a win that day."
On Tom Coughlin staying as a head coach for 2011?
"He's a great coach. The players obviously respond to him. We like playing for him. He's a very good man. I was happy the owners didn't let all the public outcry get to them and they made the right decision."
The Giants have already announced the Umenyiora, who played through a hip injury this season, will have surgery on that hip soon. He should be fully ready for training camp and the Giants have to hope he continues to be a play-making force.