After experiencing spats with the New York Giants organization in the past, including one which resulted in a trade demand a year ago, Osi Umenyiora enters the offseason unsure whether he will remain with the Giants into next season.
During a spot on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" program, the defensive end said he does not know whether he'll be traded. (via ProFootballTalk)
"We're just going to have to wait and see," Umenyiora said. "I can see it going either way. I can see where they would keep me, I can see where they would trade me, because it makes sense both ways. So hopefully things will work out in my interest. I know the team is going to do what's best for them. They've always made the right decisions for that organization. Whether that's keeping me or trading me, I'd love to stay, but at the end of the day I understand it's a business and hopefully things will work out."
As for his history with the Giants, Umenyiora does not seem to hold any grudges.
"Me and Jerry Reese, me and the owners, Mr. Mara and Mr. Tisch, we're all cool," Umenyiora said. "Even when all that stuff was going on, it wasn't really as contentious as people would have thought. We just sat down and had a lot of conversations. We went back and forth as to what was going on. They understand it's a business just like I understand it's a business. If anything happens, in the event that I am traded or released, it's not going to be bad. They would probably be doing it for my own good, in actuality, so I'll be happy with anything that happens."
As the Giants blog Big Blue View discusses, retaining Umenyiora might be New York's best move.
He is only due $3.975 million for 2012, and unless the Giants are overwhelmed by a trade offer that would include a couple of high draft picks I don't know why they would trade him. He remains a difference-maker as a pass-rusher, and the plethora of defensive ends the Giants possess is part of what sets the Giants defense apart.
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