Giants Training Camp: Osi Says 'I've Been Very Selfish In The Past'
by Ed Valentine on Aug 5, 2010 6:00 AM EDT
in New York Giants News
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PrintIf you read this site regularly you know that I have often been critical of defensive end Osi Umenyiora, even as recently as pointing out a play I didn't like during practice earlier this week.
Not today. Umenyiora made himself available to media Wednesday morning at Giants Training Camp and I absolutely loved what Osi said in regards to his playing time this season with the apparent wealth of talent the team has at defensive end.
"I think there's enough out there for everybody. Obviously I've been very selfish in the past with my demands and some of the things that I have wanted but I don't really feel that way anymore right now. There's enough playing time for everybody. As soon as I get on that playing field I'm going to make plays, period. No matter where they put me, if I'm coming off the bench, I'm just going to be the best bench player ever so whatever they require me to do, I think they're going to use me to the best of my abilities because this team wants to win," Umenyiora said. "It's not a personal vendetta against me or anything that I've done in the past. I think that everybody needs to be a little bit less selfish and realize that there's enough playing time, there's enough money, there's enough everything out there for everybody and I think we'll be good to go."
Yes! That's all I have ever wanted to hear from Osi. It took an entire off-season and a few days of training camp, but that's all I've ever asked for. Humility. Team first. Now, all I want is to see him kick butt when he gets on the field.
Umenyiora said his hip will not be a factor in his performance this season.
It's something I've dealt with for a while now so it doesn't affect it at all. As far as me coming out here and competing, I'm going to compete and I'm going to play to the best of my ability and whatever happens after that happens," said Umenyiora. "I've been playing with it since 2006 so obviously I've done a couple of good things since then so I'm not going to point to that as an excuse why maybe I didn't perform at as high of a level as I wanted to. It is what it is. It's pain. It's something that I can deal with. It's something that everybody in the NFL is accustomed to dealing with and it's something that I'll continue to play with. I might not have that surgery after this year."
- Ramses Barden has had some ups and down the first few days of camp. He told reporters Wednesday that you just have to keep playing through the mistakes.
"Whenever you have a tough couple of reps, you try and find ways to forget about it, you know. You want to have a short memory. Those things happen. I'm glad that hopefully I got that out of the way early in camp," Barden said. "The idea is just to forget about it, try and figure out some things you can fix, and come back and get as strong as possible in the next opportunity.
"I think whatever they ask of me, I have to be prepared to do. Whether it's special teams, whether it's playing slot or on the outside or the red zone, green zone, goal line, whatever. I need to be prepared to fill a role wherever I'm at." - 'NEW YORK GIANTS TALK': Pat Traina (Inside Football and I will be hosting a special edition of New York Giants Talk this afternoon at 3 p.m. We might even have some player interviews for you.
- TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT: If you have been thinking about heading out to the University at Albany to watch practice and haven't been able to figure out a good night to go, tonight should be the one. The Giants are expected to go full pads for the first time this evening. Practice begins at 6:05 p.m. Who knows, maybe we'll get our first real camp fight.
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Thats okay Osi.
We have all been selfish at some point in our lives so you being selfish is nothing new to the world. Just go out there and play your game man. Let em know you’re back.
A game of Chess is like a sword fight....you must think first....before you move.
Osi is going to have a monster year!
people got on Osi’s case too quickly! He made some rash comments at the end of a bad season and the fans and media needed something to jump on and they did! Osi will be the leader of this defense.
I am dubious...
I know I’m going to get hate mail for this but talk is cheap. I want to see Osi follow through both verbally and more impt, playwise for the year. Then I will believe it. Just not convinced yet that he will accept JPP and others being on the field when he wants to be there. Go ahead Osi, prove me wrong, have a great year. You have it in you, put in the effort. And don’t forget, sometimes teams run!
To his credit
Osi has never been one to BS the media. In fact, he’s been too forthright on most occasions.
I’ve wished for months that Osi became humble and more receptive to the team’s plans. If he does that, then he can become a monster again. He’s not short of talent.
If the team is winning, many of the issues regarding playing time become a non-factor. Kiwi alluded to that two days ago. He said that people talk about all this potential strife among the D-linemen but the truth is that when you’re losing, tempers flare up in all kinds of ways. Winning cures all.
"Make sure you don't Dez Bryant me." -- Justin Tuck
this is what I mean...
When Osi made his comments he was more talking about his injury and how he felt, but thats not how the media/fans took it. Kiwi made almost the same comments about how he wanted to start or he was going to leave, Osi just used the word “retire” because he is older and was coming off of knee surgery. Some Giants just have their panties in a bunch and need to get over it!
Its also funny that ALL Giants fans are so glad that Sheridan is gone, and talk about how he didnt know what he was doing, but doesnt anyone talk about how Osi was the only one that said anything against him, but he was critized for doing it! and that was before the season, Osi knew it then. But everyone now talks about how Tuck said at the end of the season that the defense was all individuals last year and players didnt play for Sheridan, and everyone praises him!
OSI WAS LAST YEAR’S SCAPEGOAT! and he has accepted, now fans need to remember what Osi has done for this team, and get over it!
by BigBlue82 on Aug 5, 2010 7:51 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Amen to that!
A game of Chess is like a sword fight....you must think first....before you move.
by LoNJDTechnology on Aug 5, 2010 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions
rec'd
although when you dont agree wit coach u shut your mouth and buy into the system(especially if its preseason). But he was the one who spoke up.. the one who didnt like what he was hearing and seeing. As long as he learned from that experience…and hes all for the team. then last year is finally all water under the bridge… on to the next season.
FULL PADS TONIGHT – cant wait
"they try to do what he do, and been where he's been, but they get folded in two.....he's the dude"
Hip willing, a great year ahead
I love to hear a guy when he gets the proper team mentality in football. It is one of the key ingredients in the sport and it’s very contagious, just as the selfish attitude can be. So it’s all good to hear.
I think most Giant fans really like Osi and were always surprised when he showed his frustration publicly by bad mouthing the coach or making playing time demands. He’s learned a great lesson and is now ready to share it with the team. Great to hear!
But let’s not go overboard in defense of his whining in the past. He just admitted he developed a very selfish attitude. Maybe it is understandable given the lousy D coach last year, but it was still a bad attitude and he’s taken ownership of it. Now go get a ring!!!
agree
most like him and his talent, just not the bad attitude…
and that goes for most GMen players! we need blue collar grinding ballers that want the ring first and foremost – then they can live like kings afterward parading down the canyon of heroes yet again…
"Talent wins 9 games
Discipline wins 11 games
Leadership = World Champions"
-2010 Giants Philosophy
Befuddling
I don’t know how people can equate Kiwi’s comments to Osi’s comments. They’re not remotely the same.
"Make sure you don't Dez Bryant me." -- Justin Tuck
Acknowledgement of past mistakes
Implicit apology
Expressions of humility and team first attitude
Can’t ask from more
Skepticism warranted
Wait and see
Hold off on carping
Go, Osi
by blue gonz on Aug 5, 2010 8:07 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
If nothing else....
it shows a level of maturity that all athletes need to make it to the next level. To be able to look inside and put your finger on a personal foible and then express it out load is a giant (non pun intended) step forward.
When its 3rd and long, throw the ball past the marker.
I really don't pay this guy any mind
he’s been known to talk….and talk….and talk.
IMO he made a complete ass outta himself on Monday Night football when the Brown beat us in ’08.
Ultimately I think his comments are harmless…..just shut up and play football.
i dont get it
pay him mind when he says dumb shyt…but dont when he says good things?
it goes hand in hand mi amigo.. we can cut him up for hurting the teams image when he does…but lets shoot him props and acknowledge he’s taking steps forward..even if it is only preseason.
"they try to do what he do, and been where he's been, but they get folded in two.....he's the dude"
I never flew off the handle when he said dumb stuff either....and i'm on record saying that.
because I don’t think he was hurting the team’s image at all.
I just think that he can talk until he’s blue in the face….it won’t mean anything unless he backs it up with his play.
75% of BBVers wanted him gone b/c of those silly remarks….
now if you’ll notice below me Tito is saying he went from “zero to hero”…..lol….in actually he hasn’t done jack.
He needs to let his play do the talking.
and besides, I know this game….he’s been playing it with the media for years.
Just the perception he's given the media.
Not the biggest deal, but when they’re talking about Osi embracing the role of a bench player vs him stirring up a sh*tstorm of controversy, well, it just makes him look a lot more like a team player. I think Giants fans will appreciate him a lot more for that.
"With the game on the line. I want the ball in my hands."
-E
by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 5, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess maybe since I've been defending him for so long
people think I’m blindly supporting the man and all of his actions.
and I’m not…I know Osi does these things….he can say great things one minute and the next he can put his foot in his mouth…..just because he made these comments today, does not mean he will not put his foot in his mouth tomorrow!
at the end of the day he’s not starting shouting matched with JR at camp, calling out Coughlin for his play calling, or dissing Eli….BUT if he doesn’t improve his game it won’t matter.
From zero
To hero.
Looks to me like Osi might want to be looked at as a team leader, comments like these are exactly what you would expect from someone trying to set a good example.
"With the game on the line. I want the ball in my hands."
-E
by tito (eight and oh) on Aug 5, 2010 9:41 AM EDT reply actions
Good Start for a hopefully renewed Osi
Here’s to hoping he delivers on the field and stays home on running plays…
There won’t be anymore weird looks from Sheridan’s third eye during meetings that’s for sure…seems like he’s buying into the Fuel-Mobile.
"Talent wins 9 games
Discipline wins 11 games
Leadership = World Champions"
-2010 Giants Philosophy
Somebody finally listened to their agent,
and said the right things.
Now DO the right things Osi, grow into the role of a pass rush specialist (it’s all your interested in anyway) get your sacks up, get your dollars up.
For one I’m glad that he’s willing to pollish up the image a bit, it means we can put the better player for the situation on the field, without having to worry about people piping off at the mouth all season.
I do believe he’s a talent ,but Ed mentioned it earlier… he’s in camp this year, ignoring the run Again… we just can’t afford to have a guy like that on the field full time.
Kiwanuka should start games for us, and we should look to get Osi more involved If we get a lead and our opponent needs to throw the ball more. This will also mean fresh legs in the latter stages of the game and should help us get some W’s.
i still don't get all these Kiwi supporters
and i love Kiwi, don’t get it twisted. but we act like we have strahan jr. here. he’s a nice player – not better than Osi. his best year is apprapo to Osi’s worse. yet we praise him, and hold him under this false light. Our best team defensively next year will consist of Osi, and Tuck, with a nice mix of Kiwi and JPP.
the defense was more complete
and largely better as a whole when Kiwi and Tuck were the starters in 2008. Kiwi can rush the passer, he was not as productive last year since for whatever reason (I’d say Sheridan was a moron) Kiwi spent entirely too much of the time inside as a DT.
If Kiwi’s left on the outside, he’s more complete then Osi. Plain and simple. The defense is better with Kiwi and Tuck on the outside.
Osi and JPP are the ones that should be mixed in.
by FreeBradshaw on Aug 5, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Osi's last injury free year before last year
in ‘07, the Giants were ranked 8th overall in rushing yards per game. in ’08, they were ranked 9th. not a big improvement, nor drop off either way. you want to say that the big freds and kawika mitchells of the world hid osi’s deficiencies that year, you can make that claim if you want to. all i know is, they were a pretty good team when osi was the man on the other side. and they didn’t rapidly improve last season when he was coming off the bench(see Panthers embarrassment of a game). kiwi for a 1st rounder, has never sniffed half of osi’s greatness, and therefore to me, you put the best players on the field. numbers and history shows, it’s the man you all love to hate.
Kiwi is the more complete player...
but for a first round pick…I don’t think he has reached the team’s overall expectations
"Talent wins 9 games
Discipline wins 11 games
Leadership = World Champions"
-2010 Giants Philosophy
i love kiwi
but show me that quintessential play, that defines his career. i can’t think of it. actually i can. it was the tackle/no tackle of vince young that kept the drive alive and led to another loss.
meanwhile there a myriad of plays you can pick from the Osi archive that defines just how damn good he is. the sack, strip, fumble return against the niners; the winston justice rapping; hell look no further than last year, his down year, and you can point to the 1st game against the skins for another gem. you can’t put a price on a player that has a knack for making a big play. we really should treat the man with more respect here, he’s done a lot for this organization. kiwi, unfortunately, has not lived up to the hype.
as I was reading this, I swear I knew exactly where you were going.....
I get sick just thinking of that Vince Young play…..
I remember Strahan had to basically tell everyone to leave him alone b/c he was catching hell after that one.
i know andi, i didn't want to go there
but in all honesty, can you think of anything else? i mean, yes he has plenty of non descript sacks, but nothing comes to mind, i hope someone else can think of something positive, because if this is his last year as a giant, that’s not how i want to remember him.
and Stray was right, that was his fault, but not really. the NFL is so damn flag happy with there QB’s, he was trying to do the right thing. the problem is, that was the way that season went for us, and that was the icing on the cake.
It's not about a single play
It’s about the circumstances surrounding him.
He was the 4th DE in 2006. In 2007 the team moved him to LB and he got hurt 10 games into the season with a fractured left fibula. In 2008 he went through camp and the preseason as the 3rd DE and became the starter once Osi got hurt in the 3rd preseason game. In that first season as a full-time DE starter, with only 16 games of prior experience at the position and playing 10 months after breaking his leg, he got 8 sacks. I see a 2nd-year DE and 1st-time starter getting 8 sacks as very good.
I feel that 2010 will be Kiwi’s breakout season. A breakout season to me for a 1st round pick who is playing his 4th season at DE is 12+ sacks. This is his time to shine and I expect him to do just that.
"Make sure you don't Dez Bryant me." -- Justin Tuck
Here we go
He’s getting his mind right and accepting things for what they are. And I believe them to be genuine when you see the pix of him on the sideline, always seeming to cheer his teammates on. I believe this is what the organization is trying to do. Light a fire under this guy, get back the Osi we know can be a force on the field. It’s almost time for ball, boy!
Dave Tollefson is a great yeoman
Guy is a hard worker and always finds a way to stay on the roster…love the picture…having said that, not sure he’ll make the roster this year.
Osi's comments last year
I think were from his frustration. Everyone with that injury usually takes 2 years to fully recover back to full form and Osi may have been frustrated that he wasn’t producing at the same high level he expected himself too. It just took him a little time to realize that. I expct BIG things from Osi this year as well as Kiwi and Tuck. TC said it best, “Talk is cheap”. Let’s get on the field and prove we’re the team we all think we can be.
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