Q: How concerned are you that Osi may not be a part of the future here given that the Giants have given his agent permission to shop him around?
A: I haven't really had time to think about that.
Q: Well now that you hear that news, what's your reaction to that news?
A: I don't know. Honestly I'm not too worried about it. Somehow I know that Osi's going to be a Giant. So until that happens, that's my focus right now. I can't allow myself to think otherwise.
Q: Have you spoken to him today?
A: I speak to Osi every day.
Q: How's his frame of mind?
A: We don't even talk about football, to be honest with you. I think his mind is great.
Q: Would you try to intervene somehow?
A: I don't deal with contracts. We talk about his family, we talk about how his body's feeling, we talk about a lot of stuff but his contract issues with the Giants did not come up.
Q: Yeah but you're the defensive captain. You have to make sure he's in the right frame of mind, right?
A: I'll tell you what, being able to play with Osi for the last six years, I know for a fact that if he is in a Giants uniform come September 11th, he'll be the Osi that you all have grown to love and respect as one of the premier defensive ends in the country. That, I don't worry about. The only thing I worry about is if he's going to be in a Giants jersey. Like I said, I had the opportunity to train with Osi a few days this offseason. I know where he is mentally. I know where he is physically. The only problem now is, he's not happy with his contract. Last time I checked I am defensive captain but I do not write checks for the New York Giants. So I can't answer the question is he going to be here or not. My name's not on the check.
Q: Is there a way to lobby the front office for him to try to find a way to make this work?
A: The front office knows where I stand. I don't need to tell them. The fact of the matter is they're going to make the decision based on what they feel is best for this football team and it's my job to support them.
Q: Wouldn't it be pretty devastating to lose him for what I assume would be a draft pick package at this point? How much would that hurt?
A: Time will have to tell. I can't tell you how much it would hurt. I can tell you it would hurt. There are not a lot of guys like Osi. It's not like you can just go and pick up one of those guys off the street, but again as of right now, he's still under contract with the Giants and that's hopefully how it will be for the rest of the year.
Q: When does Osi become a distraction?
A: Osi is not a distraction, not a distraction at all. He comes to meetings, sits down, he learns the defense. He's just not on the football field, which is giving more guys more opportunity to work on their craft.
Q: You said you know where he is physically, where is he physically?
A: When him and the Giants either part ways or reach a new deal, I feel as though he will be able to just step right in and get the job done.
Q: So was Osi sitting on the bike yesterday just a ploy?
A: I don't think Osi is playing any games.
Q: So is he physically able to practice just like you?
A: Probably, yes.
Q: So then is it a distraction that he's not getting out there with you?
A: I told you it is not a distraction.
Q: So you've seen where the market value is now do you understand where Osi is coming from?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Would you have ever considered saying look my contract is now not up to par with the best players.
A: I've thought about it.
Q: Are you waiting to see how it goes with Osi?
A: You know what, honestly I love playing the game of football and the Giants have given me an opportunity to play it and I'm happy about that. When my contract comes up, we'll talk about my contract. Until then, I'm happy to be a New York Giant.
Q: So you feel it's important to play out your contract.
A: I feel it's important to play out your contract as long as you're happy, as long as you feel as though they're doing right by you. How I look at it, my time will come. My situation isn't Osi's. If I was in Osi's situation, would I be saying what I'm saying right now? Maybe, maybe not. I don't know because I'm not Osi. Like I said, as football players we all have to seize the moment. So anytime in this career it could be over just like that. Osi has to do what's best for him and his family. He has to do what he thinks is best and I think he's doing that. You can't fault him for trying to make the most out of his career.
Q: What about the fact that he still has two years left on his deal? Do you understand the other side of it too?
A: I definitely understand the other side of it. I definitely understand where the Giants are coming from. Obviously, that's why it's between those two. The only reason I'm in this is because I'm defensive captain so I can't tell you what the Giants should do, I can't tell you what Osi should do. I'm just here to support it either way.
Q: How about we change the subject to something more pleasant - Plaxico wearing a Jets uniform?
A: Good luck to Plax. I wish him all the best.
Q: Are you disappointed that it didn't work out here?
A: Definitely, we would love to have Plaxico as our teammate, but he has moved on and so have we.