Reports: Giants meeting with Rice

by Ed Valentine on Jul 28, 2007 10:41 PM EDT in New York Giants News

For me, the most interesting note to come out of the first full day of training camp had nothing to do with the action on the field.

It had to do, of course, with the Michael Strahan situation.

As I mentioned Friday, if Strahan is serious about retiring one option to replace him is free agent Simeon Rice. According to Newsday's Ralph Vacchiano, the Giants are looking into doing just that, and Rice will be visiting the Giants on Monday.

GM Jerry Reese is, seemingly, playing hardball with Strahan. He has a contract worth $4 million, and Reese seems to be daring him to walk away from it.

What make the Rice flirtation even more interesting is that Rice and Strahan do not like each other. It has to burn Strahan that the Giants would consider replacing him with Rice, who said last year "Year in and year out, Michael Strahan is a great player. But he's still not me."

There are several theories on the Strahan situation.

Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger thinks he is pulling a Tiki and simply drawing attention to himself to set up a post-football TV career.

Vacchiano believes Strahan is serious about walking away.

Giants players seem to think he will be back.

I don't know what to think, other than I believe strongly that there is no way the Giants should cave in to any of Strahan's demands. Let him get on the field and show the Giants he can stay healthy and play at a high level. Then, if he wants to play after that, you figure it out.

But, you can't give him more money now. That would be foolish, and Reese seems to get that.

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Maybe

Strahan is more broke than we think. He wouldn't be the first high paid athlete who spent more than he made.

All along I've been sure this was just a diversion to get out of the training camp which at 35 I'm sure he doesn't enjoy but maybe there's more to the money thing than I thought.

It might be that he is so tight for money that he is truly broke. I certainly don't know his financial situation but it is fair to assume that he is now paying out the yingyang for this divorce, probably supporting two houses, and forking over a lot of dough to his ex wife. It doesn't sound like she is cutting him any slack.

That's the only other reason I can think of for a guy at his age and possible fragile health status to be pounding on the front office door looking for more money.

Or maybe his ego can't stand the thought that Freeney got a huge wad of money.

Michael, if you're listening, don't tarnish your career at this point by putting Jerry Reese in this awkward position. If you are that broke I bet the owners would help you in a way that would not disrupt the team's focus on the season.

by giant fan since 57 on Jul 29, 2007 6:25 AM EDT reply actions