Good morning, New York Giants fans! Let's get your Monday morning started with some Giants-related reading material.
Like Jeremy Shockey before him, DE Osi Umenyiora could force Giants' hand with new deal or trade
"... it's far from a lock that even if the Giants don't reward defensive end Osi Umenyiora with a new contract that he'll finally get his wish to be traded to a team that will pay him what he feels he deserves.
Whether it happens depends in large part on what Umenyiora does next.
"I mean this is a business," Umenyiora said when he was asked what would happen if he doesn't get the new contract or trade that he says Reese promised. "As we can see, the teams are operating as a business right now. They're doing what they feel like they need to do to maximize their revenue. As a player you have to do the same thing. We only have a short period of time to make as much as we can make, period.
"So honestly that's something we have to discuss with my agent as far as the next course of action if, when the lockout is over, nothing is done. I'm going to have to see exactly where I'll have to go from there."
Moderates Kraft, Mara will be key if season is saved - NFL - CBSSports.com Football
The two men have been a soothing force. When temperatures during negotiations have risen, they've calmed them. When the tone turned an ugly corner, they've helped pull things back from the edge. Most of all, owners Robert Kraft and John Mara have earned the trust of the players.
Two men are going to save the NFL owners from themselves. Save the owners from the extremists and the selfish among them. The owners who would burn down the season for a few extra pieces of gold bullion despite the fact they swim naked in cash for giggles.
Kraft (Patriots) and Mara (Giants) are proving to be the cool heads in a chemically imbalanced owner mix of testosterone, absurdly large egos and billable hours.
The Kraft/Mara influence has already been felt during what have been -- as you'd expect -- the highs and lows of extremely intense negotiations. I'm told by various people with knowledge of the situation that the two have walked that fine line between representing the interests of the owners while earning the trust of the players.
"Kraft and Mara are key to a new deal," texted one player close to the negotiations.
Tiki Barber to Steelers? - Peter King - SI.com
My educated guess, and maybe a little more than that, is Pittsburgh will be Tiki Barber's landing spot this summer when he tries to return to football after four seasons away.
The Steelers have a head coach the Barber family knows well -- Mike Tomlin is close to twin Ronde Barber after coaching him in Tampa from 2001 to 2005 and also knows Tiki. Tomlin wouldn't be afraid of the sideshow Tiki Barber might create, nor would he be shy about pulling the plug if the 36-year-old back couldn't beat out the likes of Mewelde Moore.
Albany businesses dreading a summer without Giants - NYPOST.com
Whenever the lockout is finally over ... | New York Daily News