New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck, the team's defensive captain, told reporters Wednesday that he does not expect to see fellow defensive end Osi Umenyiora at the Timex Performance Center Friday when the Giants report for training camp.
Umenyiora, you remember, had filed an affidavit as part of the players' anti-trust lawsuit during the NFL Lockout, alleging that the Giants -- and specifically general manager Jerry Reese -- had lied to him about re-negotiating his contract.
Tuck said the Giants need to get Umenyiora to "calm down."
Question is, will they be able to do that? Umenyiora battled with the Giants about playing time toward the end of the 2009 season, when he was replaced in the starting lineup by Mathias Kiwanuka. He has been clamoring for a renegotiation of his current contract, which has two years remaining and will pay him approximately $3.5 million this season.
If Umenyiora and the Giants cannot reach an understanding the Giants have several choices, none of them great.
- Let him hold out in the hopes he will eventually soften his stance and come back to the team.
- Trade him and get what they can for the 29-year-old, a pass-rushing specialist who had 11.5 sacks in 2010.
- Release him outright and let the rest of the NFL worry about making him happy.
What would you do, Giants fans?