Despite Osi Umeniyora’s threat that he will retire if he is not handed back his starting job (now isn’t that what Giants fans love to hear from their star defensive end), I don’t see Jerry Reese and co. shipping Osi out, but what if an offer came along that the G-men couldn’t pass up (multiple high picks in the upcoming draft or a player/pick combination)?
For argument sake, this is why I propose trading Osi (assuming high level pick compensation): Even a healthy, motivated Osi lacks in run defense, and assuming Osi has a banner 2010 season, his second season after knee surgery (we are all familiar with the, “it takes two years to come back to form following knee surgery), Osi is sure to want to break the Giant bank. So, here is my proposal:
Trade Osi (let’s assume, at a minimum, a high 2nd, 3rd, and 5th round pick). Cap or no cap, with the money the G-men are saving with the release of Antonio Pierce and Osi’s contract, they can do one of two things:
1. Go for the gold and sign Julius Peppers, giving the Giants two stud defensive ends OR
2. Spread the wealth around and fill two holes: Grab a high impact linebacker to fill the void in the middle, i.e., ink Karlos Dansby. If the G-men ink Dansby, then the Giants have endless options at No. 15 and don’t have to trade up for Rolando McClain. How to fill the void left by Osi? Take a flyer on Aaron Kampman, a solid, pass-rushing defensive end who is a high-effort, high-intensity player who will is better against the run than Osi and, if healthy, should provide the same, if not better, pass rush than Osi. And yes, coming off of a torn ACL, the Giants will be able to get Kampman at a semi-discount.
A three man defensive end rotation of Kiwi, Tuck, and Kampman will more than suffice. Worried about Kampman’s long-term run with the Giants? Reese can pick up another young defensive end in a draft loaded with defensive talent with one of the extra draft picks.
Still not satisfied? Perhaps Jerry Reese passes on Dansby, but signs Kampman. Assume McClain goes before No. 15 (and he likely will) and that the cost to trade up is prohibitive. Grab Brandon Spikes by either trading down, and accumulating even more draft picks (ala the Patriots and the Eagles flavor). Spikes is facing character questions and speed questions, and his value (Spikes was at one time a lock for the top 15, if not the 1st round) may be a bit depressed. Spikes is going to end up making some team very happy in the middle, why not the G-men? Let me know your thoughts.