Reality Check

As I sit here and battle an injury of my own, a real injury, I would hate to think that New York Giants Defensive End Osi Umenyiora might be potentially faking his alleged knee injury. I mean, it is about the money correct? Wouldn’t sitting out some games, or potentially missing the season (at this point who knows) due to a second knee injury, hurt Osi’s pockets in the long run? Does it make more sense to go have a second knee surgery, or to honor the remaining years of his contract by playing?

After all, $7.1 million left on a (what once was) $41 million deal isn’t all that bad. Sure Osi might feel under paid now, but we didn’t hear much from Osi in 2006 when he recorded only 6 sacks in 11 games due to a hip flexor injury. Or what about 2009 when Osi recorded only 7 sacks before having his starting job taken away from him. Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot a year… What about in 2008, when Osi collected a check for not even touching the field during the regular season? Yes, Osi did have some great years under that contract extension, but it’s a give and take. It’s not like The Giants hung him out to dry when he was injured, and released him.

Are The Giants a better team with Osi? No doubt about it. But at the expense of being a distraction to the team, while they work towards the ultimate goal of becoming Super Bowl Champs? I’m sorry, but nobody is. Last time I checked, this was a team sport and the letters O S I are found nowhere when spelling the word TEAM.

If Osi continues to play hard ball with The Giants front office, The Giants have no choice but to stand firm and call his bluff. It’s a lose, lose for Osi and nobody else. The Giants will move on, with or without him. The sooner Osi sees that, hopefully the sooner he puts his pads on. The sooner he puts his pads on and works like we all know he is capable of, the sooner he gets his payday. Whether it be from The Giants, or another organization, remains to be seen.

I mean, it is about the money, right Osi?