Osi Umenyiora Out for the Season: The Giants received horrible news yesterday when the MRI taken on DE Osi Umenyiora’s left knee revealed a tear to his lateral meniscus. Umenyiora will undergo surgery on Tuesday. The Giants announced that he will be out for the entire 2008 NFL season.
“We just hope that the surgery goes well on Tuesday and that it is a full recovery and that he is even better than ever here shortly down the road,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “As for the rest of us, we received this information (Sunday morning). It was probably around noon I think when I talked to Dr. (Russell) Warren, and it was obviously the news I didn’t want to hear, but after listening to the explanation and Dr. Warren’s thoughts on it, I am convinced that this is the right procedure, the right way to go.”
“I tried to talk to the coaches about it and I assured the coaches that we will have to be at our best because our team will know before they come in here tomorrow because of the media and we have to do a great job of getting our players refocused and our thoughts on going forward,” continued Coughlin.
Umenyiora had surgery to repair cartilage in the same knee in college and experienced irritation in the meniscus in the opener last season.
When asked about the recovery time for Umenyiora, Coughlin responded, “It is an extensive injury that takes considerable time. I have heard it said four months, but again, probably each individual is somewhat different. The doctors have told me that this will be a four month recovery.”
Giants Might Be Able to Lure Strahan Out of Retirement?: According to The Daily News, an unidentified source “close” to retired DE Michael Strahan, says that Strahan would consider returning to the Giants if the team offered him $8 million and “a few kind words.” Strahan is currently vacationing in Greece.
“If the Giants make a sincere overture, it’s a good chance that Strahan would consider coming back,” the source said. “There are other things he has to take into consideration: the money and his contract with FOX. But if the Giants really want him, they have a shot. It’s not out of the question.”
However, according to The Daily News, as of last night, the Giants had not contacted his agent. And a source “close” to Strahan said he did not think the Giants would reach out to Strahan. Other sources “close” to Strahan told the paper they thought it was “doubtful” Strahan would return. Before he retired, the paper reports the Giants were not willing to pay Strahan more than $6.5 million plus incentives.
“Under the circumstances, I think it’s definitely worth exploring,” said Giants’ Chairman and Executive Vice President Steve Tisch. “Would I like Michael to be a New York Giant this season? Absolutely. Absolutely. Will he be? I have no idea. I don’t even want to put a percentage on it. But…if one of the potential solutions is to reach out to Michael, worst case, it’s certainly worth a phone call.”
“I’m sure Michael is happy with FOX, but he obviously loves the Giants, too,” said Strahan’s agent. “If they’re interested in talking to him, he’d discuss it with them. But right now, as I see it, you’ll be watching him on FOX this year.”
Editorial on Michael Strahan: If Osi Umenyiora is on Shelf, Giants Need Michael Strahan by Gary Myers of The Daily News
Giants Not Pursuing Other Place Kickers?: 1050ESPN reports three sources indicate the Giants’ potential interest in veteran kickers Jay Feely and John Carney is on hold because the team remains hopeful that kicker Lawrence Tynes (leg) will be ready for opening day.