Without Osi, Giants may be toast … unless Strahan comes to rescue
The New York Giants shocked the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII mainly because of the excellent pressure the G-Men’s front four put on Tom Brady.
Now that unit is missing its two best players.
Defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who was the focal point of that line this year with Michael Strahan’s retirement, has been lost for the season after suffering a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee during Saturday’s preseason game against the Jets.
“It was obviously the news I didn’t want to hear,” coach Tom Coughlin said.
Coughlin did not rule out the possibilities of moving linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka back to defensive end or talking to Strahan, 36, about coming out of retirement. Kiwanuka was moved to linebacker last season because the Giants had Umenyiora and Strahan on the ends. Dave Tollefson, a second-year player, took Umenyiora’s spot Saturday night and the Giants have veteran Renaldo Wynn.
Justin Tuck has replaced Strahan at left end. Replacing Umenyiora at right end will not be easy. He has had 40 1/2 sacks over the last four seasons. His team-high 13 sacks last season was highlighted by a franchise-record six against the Eagles on Sept. 30 at Giants Stadium.
Strahan, however, would consider returning to the team in the wake of Umenyiora’s injury, the New York Daily News has reported, citing an unnamed source. According to the paper, Strahan would come back with the Giants if offered an $8 million contract for this season.
Co-owner Steve Tisch told the New York Post the Giants have warmed to the idea.
“Would I like Michael to be a New York Giant this season? Absolutely. Absolutely,” Tisch said. “Will he be? I have no idea. I don’t even want to put a percentage on it but things changed very quickly [Saturday] night and if one of the potential solutions is to reach out to Michael, worst-case, it’s certainly worth a phone call.”
Strahan told the NFL Network: “I haven’t heard from anybody else so to say if I would or wouldn’t [come back] is premature. So I’m enjoying my retired life right now.”
If I were a betting man, Strahan is on the field for the season opener Sept. 4 against the Redskins.
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