New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora shows up for OTAs – NFL News
New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora attended organised team activity (OTA) on Monday, June 04, 2012, for the first time in this offseason.
His participation was well received not only by his teammates but also by the coaches who were certainly pleased to see him back.
Osi was not attending the workouts earlier because of his unresolved contract issue. He had demanded a long-term job security from the management with an increased payout and more playing time.
Soon after the last season in which Giants won the Super Bowl title, Osi expressed a desire to stay with the team for a long period of time but he also asked for more benefits and a lucrative contract.
It took some time for both parties to reach an amicable conclusion but the matter has been resolved now as the management has restructured Osi’s present contract.
He is into final year of the contract, and according to different details, the Giants have increased his salary instead of giving him an extension.
Osi himself is pleased to have received the deal and the player now wants to keep his focus on the upcoming season.
According to the details present on the team’s official website, Osi talked to reporters on Monday and mentioned that he had no grudges against anyone.
He said:
“I don’t think I was unhappy or disgruntled. It definitely appeared that way but it definitely was all business. There were no hard feelings. I understood exactly what they were doing, I understood where they were coming from, and I also knew I had to do
what I had to do.”
He added:
“Now it’s more of the same and I’m happy to be here; I was happy to be here last year. I love to play and I’m going to go out there and I’m going to continue to produce the way I’ve always done. And help this team win.”
Osi, 30, also acknowledged that it gets difficult for the players in the National Football League (NFL) to win hefty contracts as they grow old. However, he maintained that he had to keep his interest in mind as well and that’s why his contract issue attracted
plenty of media attention.
Tags: