Another offseason and once again defensive end Osi Umenyiora
is in the news trying to get a new contract with the New York Giants. Umenyiora
who is in the last year of his contract has been adamant that the Giants’
general manager Jerry Reese promised him a new contract if his performance
stayed at a high level.
The Giants have refused to budge on a new contract though
and Umenyiora has decided to play out the last year of his contract and become
a free agent next year unless the Giants offer him a lucrative contract
extension.
Umenyiora recently suggested that the Giants may trade him
which many believe is likely to happen. The Giants are pretty deep on their
defensive line and will be looking to lock up defensive linemen Jason
Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck to contract extensions soon. They will also look to
sign wide receivers Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks also.
Umenyiora on the other hand will be 31 in November so the
team may not be looking to sign him to anything long-term. They may not be
willing to wait and let him walk away next year either. Trading him now is the
only way to assure they will get some compensation for him leaving.
So with that in mind here are the five teams that should
seek a trade for Umenyiora:
5. St. Louis Rams
The Rams are looking to be a much stronger defensive unit
under head coach Jeff Fisher and Umenyiora would make a nice bookend to match
with defensive end Chris Long. Long had 13 sacks operating from the left side
but could have used a little more help getting to the quarterback.
4. Jacksonville
Jaguars
The Jaguars were a top-ten team versus both the run and the pass
last year but Jeremy Mincey was the only player who was able to consistently
generate a pass-rush. Umenyiora would help make the Jaguars’ ball-hawking
defenders more effective.
3. Tennessee Titans
The Titans had the second lowest sack total in the league
last season. They will be looking to upgrade their pass rush through the draft
but there doesn’t look to be any prospects in the draft that would make an
immediate impact. With that being said, Umenyiora would be a major upgrade and
give them time to develop any players they may acquire on draft day.
2. Carolina Panthers
Charles Johnson was their only competent pass-rusher last
season so Umenyiora would be a great addition to this team. The Panthers were
pitiful in nearly every aspect of their defense but getting to the quarterback
is mandatory in a division where you have to face both Matt Ryan and Drew Brees
twice a year.
1. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are in win-now mode and although they weren’t
active in the Mario Williams sweepstakes they may be interested in bringing in
Umenyiora to play alongside John Abraham. Umenyiora already resides in Atlanta having
moved there before the start of last season and although the Falcons don’t have
a lot of cap room, they probably wouldn’t mind cutting some of the dead weight
on their roster if it would improve their defense.
Roosevelt Hall is an NFL Blogger for The Sport Mentalist and an NBA Blogger for The Sport Mentalist 2. He is also a Sports Reporter for Pro Sports Lives. He can be contacted at RHall_TPFB@Yahoo.com and be sure to follow him on Twitter @sportmentalist.
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