No Osi in 2011?

In an article published by ESPN.com and written by Adam Schefter this morning documenting the sworn affidavit from Osi Umenyiora’s portion of the lawsuit against the NFL. After the Super Bowl it was speculated and rumored that Osi was going to hold out or demand to be traded because he wanted a new contract. Osi still has 2 years left on his deal, I thought we were past this situation and let his play dictate a new deal. I guess not.

Here is some of the highlights of the affidavit-

"April 2008 in reference to a meeting with GM Jerry Reese,After about an hour of discussing my current contract, as well as the contracts of other defensive ends currently playing in the National Football League, Mr. Reese told me that two years from the start of the 2008 league year, if I was currently playing at a high level, we’d either renegotiate my current contract so that it would be equal to that of the top five defensive ends playing or I would be traded to a team that would do that."

Furthermore,

"Before leaving the meeting, I asked Mr. Reese twice if he was absolutely sure that would be the case. He then told me that he was an honest and church-going man and that he would not lie, which I believed to the be the case. Under the penalty of perjury these statements are true and accurate"

Probably not ironic, Osi has already moved out of his New Jersey home and is exclusively living in Atlanta. Jerry Reese and ownership have to make a decision after the lockout and decide if a 29 year old defensive end who once again had off season surgery is worth dumping more money into for the future. In my opinion, I think Osi has little leverage in this situation. I’ll agree that he’s a very productive pass rusher, who caused 10 fumbles, but we can afford to trade him with our current depth. It’s all about weighing the positives vs. negatives and if he’s going to be upset and a distraction it’s time to deal him for another vet or picks. Jason Pierre-Paul get ready to start next year.