The five steps of grief have run their course.
- Denial: It’s not possible Osi Umenyiora could miss the year. He was our anchor; our bridge from one era of defensive line dominance to the next. Our team’s success was predicated on a strong pass rush, this could not be happening.
- Anger: Why was Osi in the preseason game that long? He knows how to play football; he doesn’t need to be out there risking injury!
- Bargaining: We’ll take the old Eli back if Osi will play this year.
- Depresssion: I miss Osi so much.
- Acceptance: Osi is going to miss the season. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s a fact. The question becomes where do we go from here.
Many pundits are saying Michael Strahan is the answer. Compared to Brett Favre this summer, Strahan was a polar opposite–a retired player who went on the top and was happy to be out. Unlike the Packers however, the Giants are apparently begging Strahan to come back.
If they could get him to come back it would be huge. No, they would not have the team of old–the pass rush of Justin Tuck, Strahan and Osi was relentless–but they may be able to save a season that is otherwise un-salvageable. Everyone is expecting the Giants to fall flat on their faces this season, and with Osi out, we very well may. Bring Strahan into the fold–with our newly-confident offense and a revamped secondary–and we are right back in the race.
Strahan’s asking price is said to be $8 million. That’ s a lot. I can’t find current cap figures, but I assume the Giants have that type of money, or this wouldn’t even be a discussion (there must be an injury exception from Osi…). While it is a lot, it would only be for one year. Strahan is an expensive bandage, but the loss of Osi is a hemorrhage of epic proportions. It needs to be done.
Bonus: A digital simulation of Osi’s surgery.