Loading ...Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, as talented as he may be, is still relatively new to the game of football. Accordingly, he's also new to the business side of football. But that didn't stop him from speaking out in support of teammate and fellow defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora on Wednesday night, telling the New York Giants to pay the Chief "what he wants."
“That’s a great guy and trust me, a guy like that on your team, he’s a playmaker,” Pierre-Paul said. “Just us three defensive ends, we’ve got a couple more on the line, but I feel like we’re all on there together, it’s unstoppable. Who’s going to stop us? We’ve got the best defensive line in the country, and everybody sees that. So bring him back.”
Umenyiora has one-year and $3.975 million remaining on his current contract, but has been fighting for a raise or trade since the NFL Lockout ended last July.
The dispute between Umenyiora and the Giants had gotten relatively nasty at one point with Osi claiming General Manager Jerry Reese lied to him. He started the offseason by holding out, but after receiving his first fine, promptly returned to the team with an injury that kept him on the sidelines. Surgery was the next step, and that led to him missing the first several weeks of the season.
In total, Umenyiora played nine regular season games in 2011-2012, recording 25 tackles and nine sacks. In the playoffs, Osi did his best work, collecting nine tackles and 3.5 sacks. Although Super Bowl XLVI was the only playoff game in which Umenyiora did not record at least a half a sack, he had two pressures that led to sacks. He also showed significant improvement against the run.
Through it all, head coach Tom Coughlin praised Umenyiora for his work ethic and attitude, stating that the contract dispute did not distract Osi or affect him on the field.
Whether or not the Giants heed JPP's advice and pay Umenyiora what he wants remains to be seen, but this is undoubtedly a storyline that will receive much attention this offseason.
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Sorry…all these guys need to shut up. JPP, Osi is a grownup ( sometimes.) let him deal with it. Victor, you want more money…have your agent discuss it with Reese.
Why do all these guys feel they have to negotiate in the press?
Because they’re asked. These guys aren’t calling press conferences to announce this stuff, they’re just answering questions they’re asked.
Same reason I don’t have a problem with the guys who praise god every other sentence. While I don’t necessarily agree with their outlook, it’s their opinion. If people ask them questions and stick a mic in their face, they can say whatever they want.
These comments aren’t going to affect Osi’s negotiations with Reese in the slightest. They might make Osi & JPP’s relationship more friendly though, so there’s really no downside to taking the opportunity to support your teammate in the press.
Cruz’s was tricked into that answer. You can read how he was irritated by how his remarks were misconstrued:
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2012/02/giants_victor_cruz_makes_the_r.html
JPP is just a kid. He’s just trying to stick up for his brother. He doesn’t know the business side of the game.
Brett Keisel shaved his beard off. I don’t think his own mother would recognize him:
http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/style-points/201202/steelers-star-shaves-nfls-greatest-beard
Reese should respond: “Sure JPP. Let me know which of your teammates you would like me to cut to clear the cap room needed to pay Osi. Heck, I’ll even let you break the news to the guy!”
That is a fantastic response lol.
“JPP, why don’t you go ahead and tell Canty that we’re taking 2 mil off his salary and giving it to Osi because he has been crying over his contract for a few years now, and we should show him some love.”
Repost:
All in all, our situation isn’t bad. At worse we lose Ross, TT, MM, Jacobs, McKenzie and trade Osi. That’s not what I want at all but with the draft and moderate free agents move we still could field a team every bit as good as our SB one. That’s that worse case. I think we keep Osi and bring Ross or TT back. MM is a big loss but one that we were going to face with cap room or not given that JR offer contracts based upon value.
Look at what NO or Pitt have to go through. JR has to probably restructure a few contracts maybe cut a few vets like McKenzie and Jacobs but that is still less than it appeared we lost last year. Plus we have 8-9 draft picks plus a ton of young players that are getting better.
I feel bad for saying this but in the end the injuries to Ballard and Beckum might be the dreaded BID. It forces us to add talent to a position that needed talent. JR might have stayed pat with the group without these injuries but now he can’t. I trust that even though our TEs will be new to the system that Eli will be able to at least get equal production next year.
I think the deeper meaning of this article means that JPP isn’t asking for a new deal now. By not doing that he is in fact helping us keep Osi at a higher dollars than his current contract. It also seems to mean that we should have no worries about the 3 DEs sharing playing time.
This is part of winning a SB. Some of our players are underpaid for their current value. Really Eli could ask for a raise. We are lucky if we just have to deal with Cruz & Osi wanted more money this year.
After restructuring certain contracts like Jacobs’, and making decisions on free agents, I believe we will have somewhere in the range of 5-10M to spend. Probably near 5. Of course this is just a guess, but I think Reese is savvy enough to get us far enough under the cap so that we can at least resign most of our own men.
let’s hope JR can figure out a way to keep Osi and keep him happy
If Tuck needs shoulder surgery he could well start the season on the PUP
if that happens, losing Osi would leave that line severly depleted to start the season, and as we all know, based on what we think of teams at the end of 2011, 2012 looks like a harder schedule than the brutal one we just got done playing (GB, NO, SF, Pitt, Balt, Philly and Dallas 2x, Atlanta — god forbid the skins sign Peyton)
A week old article showing every team’s cap situation. The Giants are at least not over, but I think this number factors in only those players on the books for 2012 (so McKenzie, Manningham, etc. are not included). However it does include $5 MM for the rookie class signings.
http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2012/02/nfl-salary-cap-projections-for-2012-season.html
New York Giants $124,735,807
The projected salary cap should be right around $124,000,000. Cutting Jacobs alone would put us under, but not leave much room to manuver in free agency. Our top 15 cap hits are as follows (in millions):
Manning – 15.19
Rolle – 9.1
Snee – 7.78
Canty – 7.67
Tuck – 7.5
Jacobs – 6.86
Webster – 6.75
Boley – 5.65
Kiwi – 5.55
Baas – 4.95
Osi – 4.62
Bradshaw – 4.5
Diehl – 3.825
Pierre-Paul – 3.15
Nicks – 2.05
Jacobs is the only likely cut in this group. If cut, his signing bonus accelerates and is put against the cap, but the rest is avoided. He’d count 1.96, saving 4.9.
The other two guys who are interesting are Webster and Diehl. Both are signed through 2013, but no longer have a signing bonus counting against the cap. If you get them to redo their deals and convert a portion of their salary to signing bonus, it can be spread over the remaining life of the deal.
So for instance, if you take Diehl’s remaining 7.925 (3.825 in 2012) and convert 3 million to signing bonus, Diehl’s figures could be reduced by 1.5 in 2012, but increased by 1.5 in 2013. Same with Webster, but you are dealing with bigger numbers. You could save a good 3.0 on Webster’s deal.
It works well for the players, too, as they get the money up front rather than waiting for game checks. Any portion converted to signing bonus becomes fully guaranteed too.
This is kinda what the Steelers have been doing recently.
Other possible cuts with value are Barden, who would cut 1.3, Sintim would cut .75, Ware would cut 1.0.
So a reasonable amount to pick up on the cap would be another 7.5.
Oops, actually 12.5. Forgot to add Jacobs.
Also, teams can borrow $2 MM against next future cap. I’m not sure if we have any carry over from 2011, but it should be minimal if we do.
I understand JPP. I’m very generous with other people’s money too.
The thinking around here is a bit misguided. Reese doesn’t think the way many of you seem to be doing. The first thing he will do is work with the coaches and player personnel guys (they’re in that process right now) and grade out each of the players, with particular emphasis on whether that player brings something to the table that makes him uniquely valuable to the team.
Any player who isn’t uniquely valuable is vulnerable to being cut or asked to take a pay reduction. The NFL is a cruel world (and the sophisticated players know it and that is why they demand their money when they can get it).
As we look at the free agents and other players whom Reese must consider (Osi, Cruz, and a few others who are not free agents now but will be in a year or two) we ought to think the same way. What is uniquely valuable to the Giants about their play, and are they replaceable through modest free agency moves or the draft or from the current depth chart?
There are three “impact” players among those Reese must consider: Osi, Manningham, and Weatherford. EVERY OTHER PLAYER UNDER CONSIDERATION IS REPLACEABLE.
Now, Reese will not want to lose BOTH Thomas and Ross, but he will certainly plan on allowing one of them to go, and might be fine dumping both if neither will sign a reasonable contract. Anyone who does not think that Reese and Coughlin expect Prince Amukamara to step into the #2 cornerback spot next season isn’t paying attention. You don’t use a first-round pick on a player you don’t have absolute confidence in, and whom you don’t expect to be starting by his second year. And if necessary a #3 corner will be identified from among those who wound up on IR this season or those the personnel department has their eyes on at the moment. In all likelihood the #4 and #5 corners will come from among those players (and a likely draft pick) in any case. Losing BOTH of Thomas and Ross would NOT be a disaster. I wouldn’t love it, but neither are really predictable “impact” players (Thomas was until this second injury to the same ACL, but he is now a major risk and can never be considered a sure thing).
Jacobs is unique in some ways. His passion and toughness are important. He is replaceable, but his role on the team is not easily filled and I think Reese will try hard to restructure him again, allow him to explore the market, and hope he can be signed for closer to $2MM. He is no longer unique as a running back (although he DID run pretty effectively as the season progressed…his last eight games looked a lot better than his first twelve), but play on the field is not the only thing that counts. Chemistry matters.
McKenzie is replaceable. He’d be great depth and perhaps they could convince him to sign a modest contract with the promise that they have him in mind for a coaching position in a few years. He’s certainly smart enough to fill that role, and could be a great mentor for the younger linemen and a great insurance policy over on the right side of the line. But if Reese loses him he will not panic. There’s obviously a plan that includes Brewer in another year or two, and Diehl is far from finished so could slide over there, as could Andrews or a modestly-priced free agent.
I come back, though, to Osi, Manningham, Weatherford, and Cruz. The last of them might be restructured as long as he is willing to stretch out his money (albeit guaranteed) into the new cap era when the cap will expand dramatically as the new TV deal kicks in. Otherwise I think he will get a bonus of some sort and told he must be patient. It is the other three that concern me.
Steve Weatherford is unique. He is a tremendous punter who proved he not only has no trouble with the conditions at MetLife but relishes playing in New York. he was a big part of the “special sauce” that won those last six games of the season and they either have to bring him back or take a big, big, chance on bringing in someone new to a position (punter AND holder) that has a great influence on games and seasons. He’s a HIGH priority.
The Osi strip-sack is a devastating play that very few players alive can manage. It is a game-changing play and 2-3 of them at the right times can make the difference between a decent season and a great one. Osi has to be game-planned for; he allows JPP some rest; he is part of the most feared pass rush in the NFL; and he has a penchant for making big plays at big times. Reese needs to find a way to get Osi happy or he must trade him for great value (at least a #2 and a #5 if not better).
Mario Manningham is someone I’ve discussed frequently around here. His importance to the team is greater than most recognize. Unless the offensive line gets much better next season (possible, but not necessarily likely) then having THREE very dangerous receivers who know this system and whom Eli trusts is absolutely critical to the success of the Giants. This becomes even more true now that we have been weakened even further at the tight end position. I happen to like Bear Pascoe more than most here, but he’s a JAG. No defense will feel threatened by him. No rookie will start at that spot (although I believe the Giants will certainly draft a good one in April). There are few free agents who could be had cheaply enough that they will work well as alternatives. I don’t think you can count on Jernigan to join Cruz and Nicks as a trio that will force defenses to allow room on the field for underneath stuff. The kid won’t be at that level yet. Two POSSIBLE solutions that Reese will look to are Steve Smith and Kevin Boss (I suspect he will be cut by the Raiders), but those may not work out. Manningham is uniquely valuable to this team unless via some miracle Devin Thomas has found his mojo and shown it in practices as this season progressed.
Reese’s job will be hard. But it won’t be as daunting as many think. There are only a few players he has to worry about whose loss would have a major impact. The rest are replaceable in the overall team scheme.
reading this article it gives some merit to what you said but also indicates that Jerry Reese may differ from yours views on a few issues
http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/GM-Reese-ready-for-offseason/79bac808-ca56-457e-a376-8aa0e1805f30
Here is my opinion
1. A TE will be drafted or brought in but nothing elite or really significant 3rd rounder or a JAG signing no Finley, Carlson, or 1st rounder; Bear Pascoe will be the starter game 1 and The kid from the Practice squad is expected to make some contributions and supplant him. We heard the SAME comments about Jake Ballard last offseason
2. The Team has confidence in Jernigan and in house roster @ wr to step up. I think they let mario walk, after extending a decent responsible 3rd string offer.
3. I think Osi is allowed to seek a trade again, but this time a team bites and overpays us for him. Teams will want a piece of our dline and will overpay for it.
4. Weatherford, Terrell Thomas, resign; Cruz extends, Nicks Extends; Mckenzie walks, Ross hits paydirt elsewhere
5. Jacobs restructures to stay on the giants for length of career his contract becomes VERY incentive laden but cap friendly;