Michael Strahan Stays Retired: Recently-retired DE Michael Strahan has decided to stay retired.
“This has been one of the toughest nights of my life,” Strahan said from Greece yesterday. “But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it’s just best if I stay retired.”
“I have gone back and forth on this because as a player you’ll always want to play, you’ll never lose that urge to be out there,” said Strahan. “But I could only do this if I could commit 100 percent, physically, mentally, emotionally and I can’t do that. I’ve tried to convince myself and my body to give it one more year, but in the end I just don’t think I could turn it on like I need to again.”
Strahan told FOXSports that the team and he held discussions and said the money the Giants offered was enough to complete the deal. But he simply did not want to play anymore.
“I really love my life now,” said Strahan. “It’s great having nobody put a finger on me. You really put yourself through an awful lot in this league, more than people realize. I’ve got a great home at FOX now and I think it’s where I belong. I wish I could’ve had different news for Giants fans but I’ve known for a while I’m done.”
“We talked money, but the money was secondary to whether he was actually coming back,” said Strahan’s agent. “First, you have to figure out if you can come back and he never really got past that point.”
“I think he was close (to returning),” said his agent. “I think he was telling himself, ‘Hey, I can make a difference.’ But ultimately, you have to look at all the factors. And like I said before, after going out on top the way he did, he really separated himself from all of it. It just would have been too hard for him to get back to where he was.”
FOXSports is reporting that Strahan received a call early Monday from General Manager Jerry Reese at the urging of Giants’ Chairman and Executive Vice President Steve Tisch.
“We knew it was a long shot, but we owed it to ourselves to exhaust the possibility,” said Reese. “We appreciate Michael even considering ending his retirement. He has a new career in front of him and we wish him nothing but the best. As we all said when he announced his retirement, Michael was and is a great Giant.”
Umenyiora Undergoes Knee Surgery, Giants Put Him on Season-Ending Injured Reserve: As expected, DE Osi Umenyiora underwent surgery on the damaged meniscus in his left knee yesterday. And the Giants put him on Injured Reserve, officially ending his season.
“Regarding the surgical procedure on Osi Umenyiora, the doctors were very pleased,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin. “The surgery went well. The knee looked good. The prognosis is very, very optimistic for a full recovery.”
Umenyiora’s agent says Umenyiora’s surgery went well and that he is expected to begin running again in February 2009.
Injury Update: Not practicing again today were LB Antonio Pierce (back), LB Danny Clark (groin), LB Jonathan Goff (back), CB Terrell Thomas (hamstring), and PK Lawrence Tynes (knee).
WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) practiced fully for the second day in a row. “Yeah, I feel pretty good,” said Burress. “It’s something I haven’t been able to do in the past year, to go out and practice with no limitations. I worked this (Tuesday) morning and I wasn’t as sore as I thought I would be. It’s all positive that I can go out there back to back days. I’m going to get some treatment and see how I feel (Wednesday), but as of right now I feel pretty good.”
“(The orthotics) definitely helped a lot,” Burress said. “It’s something I’m still getting used to, but they do help a lot.”
Coughlin did indicate however that Burress probably won’t play against the Patriots on Thursday.
Giants Waive WRs Michael Jennings and Craphonso Thorpe, Place WR David Tyree on PUP/Reserve List: The Giants have waived WR Michael Jennings and waived/injured WR Craphonso Thorpe. They also placed WR David Tyree on the Physically-Unable-to-Perform (PUP)/Reserve List.
Tyree can return to practice between Week Six and Week Ten. When he returns to practice, within a 3-week period, he must be activated or placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. “At one point I argued with the decision, but I am still about three weeks away,” said Tyree. “I have been running routes and I have not had any drawbacks, which is good.”
Giants Claim Wide Receiver Off of Waivers: The Giants claimed WR Marcus Monk off of waivers from the Chicago Bears yesterday. Monk was drafted in the 7th round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Bears.
Giants Sign Linebacker: The Giants have signed rookie free agent LB James Terry (Youngstown State).