New York Giants’ GM Jerry Reese not bothered by Osi Umenyiora’s remarks – NFL News
New York Giants’ general manager, Jerry Reese, has said that he is not bothered by the talks and disputes around the new contract negotiations with defensive end, Osi Umenyiora, who recently said that he would not further comment on his contract situation.
Reese’s comments came soon after Osi’s somewhat harsh comments in response to the GM’s earlier statement.
Osi is in his last year of his present deal with the team and the player is seeking a future security by earning a long-term contract with the team.
Reese has also repeatedly asserted that the management wants the player to stay with the franchise, but the deal between the two stakeholders has not been reached yet.
Recently, Giants gave a contract extension to linebacker, Mathias Kiwanuka, and when asked about what they were planning about Osi’s situation, Reese told media that the management had already offered him contract extensions earlier, but the player did not
accept it.
Following those remarks, Osi responded by saying that the Giants had offered him a meagre amount, which was “HALF of what they just gave Kiwi [Kiwanuka] guaranteed”.
Osi also said that Reese was trying to damage his reputation by mentioning that he had refused to accept the deal. Osi further said that he would not comment on his contract situation.
In his recent remarks, Reese has attempted to clarify his stance by saying that Osi’s contract talks are not personal to him and that he is not bothered by what is being said around this development.
In an interview to ESPN Radio, Reese said that he was used to of facing such situations during the offseason when players are usually focusing on their contracts.
He said:
"In the offseason, there's always controversy about contracts. That's part of my job ... it's never personal. I call it 'offseason chatter.' We'll get through this. Sometimes people say things they don't really mean."
Reese added:
“We're a better football team with Osi Umenyiora on our team," Reese said. "We respect him as a football player. So our goal is to have Osi play football for the New York Giants and retire as a Giant."
Earlier, Osi also claimed that there was a possibility that Giants could trade him and the management is apparently keeping all its options open.
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