Report: Former New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora Seeking More than M... http://sport-ne.ws/rn9 #giants #nyg #nygiants #nfl #Dolphins #Falcons
Report: Former New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora Seeking More than Market Value
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:30 AMBy Dan Benton
Former New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora hasn't exactly found the level of interest he was hoping for when he hit the free agent market, but that's not to say no one has inquired. In fact, both the Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons appear serious about signing him, with the Falcons going as far as giving him a physical. However, Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Umenyiora is seeking more than the $5 million market value for defensive ends and, at least in the case of the Dolphins, is more than they're willing to spend."Word on the street is Osi Umenyiora is asking for more than the Dolphins are willing to pay right now. Market for DE is $5M & he wants more," Kelly tweeted.
In addition to the Dolphins and Falcons, the Detroit Lions have also been reported to have interest in Umenyiora. But the one thing all three teams have in common is that they're not going to pay more than market value for a 31-year-old defensive end who has been deemed by many to be nothing more than a "situational pass rusher" at this stage of his career.
There had been some thought that if Umenyiora was unable to find a deal elsewhere that he and the Giants may reunite, but with him seeking more than $5 million annually, it all but eliminates a possible return. Although they have some minor cap room left, General Manager Jerry Reese & Co. are in no position to pay Chief Osi even half of what he wants.
At this point it would appear as if the Falcons are Umenyiora's best bet, but he's going to have to come down on his price or risk the defensive end market completely drying up.
