Osi Umenyiora Likely To Have His Say Today -- With Media, Not Jerry Reese

Media access to players during New York Giants training camp is from noon until 12:45 p.m. There could be some fireworks during that time period today, since disgruntled defensive end Osi Umenyiora is likely to be the main attraction.

Umenyiora reported to training camp Saturday night, still seeking a new contract from the Giants. Though he reportedly said he would not speak to general manager Jerry Reese "ever again," he was also termed "very anxious to talk to (the media) though."

So, here is my question -- and I certainly hope one of the beat writers asks it (are you reading this morning, RV, MG, Pat, etc?). How does Umenyiora expect to get a new contract from the Giants if he refuses to speak to the general manager?

Unless Umenyiora, a two-time Pro Bowler who accused Reese of lying to him in a sworn affadavit filed as part of the Brady anti-trust lawsuit, really did not say he won't speak with Reese, that's a good question. And if he won't talk to the general manager, how does he remain a New York Giant?

Umenyiora has seemingly been unhappy with the Giants management for several years now. He battled with the team about playing time in 2009, had been making noises about his contract event before then, and voiced his unhappiness several times during the 2010 offseason.

Steve Politi of the Star-Ledger tweeted this comment about Umenyiora this morning:

I'm trying to think of a NY athlete who's been more chronically unhappy than Osi Umenyiora. Anybody got one?

To be honest, I'm not sure I can come up with one. At least one who has so consistently voiced his displeasure.

Umenyiora had 11.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles a season ago, the third double-digit sack season of his career. Even with Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka the Giants would like to keep their best pure pass rusher. Reese has, at least publicly, kept an open mind about Umenyiora.

"Sometimes people say things that they probably don't mean. I don't worry about things that people say in the offseason," Reese said. "You guys know, I always call that offseason chatter, stuff like that, so you know that it is not a big deal for me."

Question is, will whatever Umenyiora says today turn into a big deal?