Good morning, New York Giants fans. Here are some stories of interest for you today.
Ernie Palladino: Osi Umenyiora Saga Getting Old " CBS New York
It’s all getting so old, and so stupidly personal. Umenyiora is heading into the final year of his contract, which means he’ll be $3.975 million richer when he’s eligible to hit the free agent market. The worst thing that’s going to happen to him is that Reese slaps the franchise tag on him, tying him to the Giants for one more year at the average of the top five salaries among all defensive ends.
Osi isn’t going anywhere this year. Hold out, hate Reese, seethe, it doesn’t matter. It has all gotten old and it has gotten Umenyiora nowhere.
His best play is to shut up and play. Produce like he has, and he’ll get paid somewhere, from somebody.
Most probably the Giants.
WR Nicks ranked #90 on NFL Top 100
"His catch radius I think is probably up there top two or three," Wilson, a five-time Pro Bowler and fellow North Carolina native, said. "Being able to catch every ball in his area…he put himself right up there with the top five receivers in this league in just being able to do the things that he did after the catch. "He’s not a little guy so to be able to take your shot on him, you have to make sure you wrap him up and make sure you have to hit him in the right area." [Here is the NFL.com video]
Former Rutgers Fullback Joe Martinek Hopes to Catch on with the Giants | Train-a Thought
"I think I have the ability to make the team, and make the team better. I just need to believe that I can do it, and go out there and know exactly what I’m doing so I can play at the top of my level."
When he does get his opportunity to get on the field, Martinek hopes the Giants and the fans like what they see.
"I think they’re going to find a hard-working guy that’s going to come in from day one willing to do everything I can to make the team better," he said. "I’m going to be prepared for every practice and every game. I’m going to try to make this opportunity into a special one because this is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m not about to let it go."
OT James Brewer eyes a bigger role
Feeling like he made the most of his understudy role, Brewer is striving to get on the field in his second season.
"At the same time, I was glad that things panned out the way they did," Brewer said prior to the draft. "I was able to have a year just to learn and learn and learn and learn. That was my job – to learn and be ready. This year, I’m feeling like it will be an opportunity for me to capitalize."
Like all rookies, Brewer thought the lockout hindered his ability to have an immediate role on the field, especially in the trenches as an offensive lineman.
"It’s because of my position," Brewer said. "I’m pretty sure linebacker is expansive, too, but there’s a lot to learn on the line. I just think it would have been nice just to get a jump on the playbook earlier than I did, but now I have a year under my belt."
A Few Final Words on the Draft - NYTimes.com
Bucs sign paralyzed former Rutgers player LeGrand - Yahoo! Sports