MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — A day after Osi Umenyiora said during a radio interview that he will retire rather than endure another season coming off the bench, the still-disgruntled Giants defensive end stressed in even stronger terms that he wants out if things remain the same.
“I feel like I’m in the prime of my career right now so I definitely don’t plan on retiring,” Umenyiora said this afternoon between media appearances on South Beach.
“The statement I said yesterday was that last year was very, very draining, mentally, physically and I don’t think that’s a situation I feel I can go through again for an entire season. That being said, if I have to do that obviously I’d much rather retire than do that. I stand by that.”
Asked if he truly would retire, Umenyiora added “It’s not just talk. I believe I can help the New York Giants win. I love the team, I love the organization, there’s no question about that and I’d much rather be in New York than anywhere else on the planet earth. Just sitting down on the bench and coming in on third down and having to deal with the protection schemes I see when I’m out there and doing all that I can’t help them win doing that at all. I’m not able to make an impact. Doing that, my pride is too much for that and I won’t be able to do it.”
Umenyiora has not yet discussed the situation with Tom Coughlin but expects to in the near future.
“I have not talked to coach Coughlin yet but I anticipate me and my agent will sit down and we’ll have a discussion with him at some point, along with Jerry Reese and we’ll go from there,” he said.
After a Thanksgiving night loss in Denver, Umenyiora was removed from the starting lineup, replaced by Mathias Kiwanuka. Since then, defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan and defensive line coach Mike Waufle have been fired.
Could Umenyiora be next to go? It’s unlikely Coughlin during the offseason would ever promise a player a starting job. Plus, Kiwanuka is an ascending player and simply sending him back to the bench would not sit well with him.
“I know for a fact they’re going to do what’s in the best interest of the team, whatever that is, me being there or them trading me to another team, they’re going to do what’s best for them,” Umenyiora said. “For me this going on my eighth year in the NFL, I’m getting old, I don’t have that many years so I must right now start to do what is in my best interest. Coming off and being a third-down situational rusher right now is not something is in the best interest in me as a player.
“I don’t want to be traded, I don’t want to go anywhere but I’m not going to sit on the bench. I’m 100 percent not going to do that. I want to be in New York, I love that team. The owner came to see me in my hospital when I was hurt and I’ll never forget that for as long as I live, a class, class guy. I mean no disrespect by any of this but I have to do what’s best for me right now at this point in my career.”
The hiring of Perry Fewell as the new defensive coordinator is a move that excites Umenyiora.
“When they hired him I was extremely happy because that system he runs is the system I’ve been trying to get to, something I’ve been wanting to run for a while and I told my agent that,” Umenyiora said. “He’s a good guy, [former Giants linebacker] Kawika [Mitchell] played for him for the last couple of years, he gave him a ringing endorsement. I’d love to play in that system. Indianapolis runs that, Tampa Bay runs that, I think I’m the type of player who fits into that mold. Obviously I’m not going to do that coming off the bench, there’s no possible way.”
Coughlin had to sign off on yanking Umenyiora from the starting lineup and Umenyiora did not flatly state there’s no problem between him and his head coach.
“I hope not,” Umenyiora said. “I love TC, he’s a good guy. Outside of football if you ever actually have a chance to see some of the things he does he’s a great person outside of football.”
But what about inside of football, considering this is a football matter.
“We’ll see,” Umenyiora said.
Asked if some of this unrest is an attempt to get more money out of the Giants, Umenyiora said “I wouldn’t be talking about retiring if money was an issue. The Giants have made it that way where I don’t have to work any more for the rest of my life.
“I’ve been smart, I’ve invested well, money’s not really an issue. At this point right now it’s all playing time. People expect certain things out of me, to put up numbers but obviously you have to be on the football field to do that. I need to be there and play the way I’m capable of playing and get back to the way I used to be.”
