Osi Umenyiora No Longer Allowed To Seek Trade
By author
Well an interesting turn to the Osi Umenyiora / Giants saga has just been made. Apparently, the Giants are no longer allowing Osi and his agent to seek a trade because their valuation of a 1st round pick was not met.
Mike Garafolo broke the story, check the snippet below.
Giants tell Osi Umenyiora, agent they are no longer allowed to seek trade | NJ.com:
"“The team informed the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end today he and his agent are no longer allowed to seek a trade partner, according to someone informed of the conversation between the two camps today. The person, who requested anonymity because the talks were to remain private, said the team’s reasoning was Umenyiora’s agent, Tony Agnone, has been unable to find a team willing to give up a first-round pick. A report in the Baltimore Sun Tuesday said the Giants had lowered their asking price for Umenyiora, though today’s decision demonstrates the team’s valuation of Umenyiora on the trade market has not changed.”"
Aside from the Ravens who were rumored to have offered a 3rd rounder for Umenyiora, I’m not sure the Giants would have had any takers if they continued to lower their asking price. But this little exercise has done three things:
1. Showed Umenyiora what his talent means to the Giants. A first round pick may have been a bit too high, but that’s what they feel the DE is worth to them. No team bit on that price… the Giants benefit. Unfortunately for Osi, he probably won’t be seeing that $73 million contract he was hoping for but he won’t have to uproot for the 2011 season.
2. Taken away any leverage that Umenyiora and his agent might have had. Sorry but it’s time to get to work boys!
3. Proven that the Giants can stealthily navigate the twists and turns of the offseason and find ways to retain great talent at a bargain price. You’ve got to admit it, the Giants aren’t exactly dopes when it comes to their front office maneuvers. They had to have known no other team would trade a 1st round pick for Umenyiora, and now they can retain him at his current contract amounts, $7 million over the next two years. Whether you think that’s unfair or not — the Giants have shown they know how to work the system to their advantage.
***UPDATE***
Ralph V of the Daily news just tweeted he was told:
"Osi has no intention of practicing tomorrow either, or “anytime soon.”"
Like a hand going into a blender, it’s only going to get uglier from here.