Osi Umenyiora Returns to Practice; Giants Sign Safety Derrick Martin

by | Aug 16, 2011 | News and Notes

Osi Umenyiora Returns to Practice: As expected, DE Osi Umenyiora returned to practice yesterday. Due to a contract dispute, Umenyiora held out the first day of training camp and had not been participating in practices. He also missed the first preseason game. A sore meniscus in his left knee also was an issue.

According to DE Justin Tuck, we might see more drama regarding the contract dispute.

“You know, just because he’s back on the football field doesn’t mean this whole saga is over,” said Tuck. “I mean he’s not happy with his contract. Everyone knows that. I think he’ll still work with the Giants as far as trying to resolve that part of it. That’s what I mean by the ‘saga.’ I don’t think he’s going to let that affect his play or affect how this football team prepares for the game. But it ain’t necessarily over.”

The Star-Ledger is reporting that other teams are still inquiring about Umenyiora, but the Giants have apparently told these other teams they are not fielding trade offers for Umenyiora at this time. The Ledger says the Giants have offered incentives to Umenyiora to enhance his current deal, but Umenyiora has turned down the Giants’ offer. According to the paper, one factor for Umenyiora’s resistance is that a player cannot renegotiate a deal more than once per season. And if Umenyiora is indeed traded, he will want a new deal from his new team.

Giants Sign Safety Derrick Martin: The Giants have reportedly signed street free agent safety Derrick Martin, who has played with the Baltimore Ravens (2006-08) and Green Bay Packers (2009-10).

Injury Report: Missing practice yesterday were QB Sage Rosenfels (illness), WR Sam Giguere (groin), DE Dave Tollefson (back), CB Prince Amukamara (foot), CB Woodny Turenne (calf), S Jerrard Tarant (shoulder), and PK Lawrence Tynes (thigh).

Head Coach Tom Coughlin said Tynes was doing better than expected. “He surprised me and it looks like he is probably day-to-day,” said Coughlin.

Both WR Ramses Barden (ankle) and OC Adam Koets (knee) remain on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP) List.

Training Camp Practice Reports: Practices continue at Giants Training Camp at the Timex Performance Center outside the New Meadowlands Stadium. The camp schedule is available in the Training Camp section of the website. In addition, check out the following:

Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s Monday Press Conference: The transcript and video of yesterday’s press conference with Head Coach Tom Coughlin are available at Giants.com.

Player Media Q&As: The transcripts and video of yesterday’s media Q&A sessions with the following players are available at Giants.com:

Article on DE Osi Umenyiora: Welcome Back! by Michael Eisen of Giants.com