A Malcontent Osi Umenyiora is Better Than No Osi Umenyiora

Summer is once again upon us and with each summer comes the same situation for the New York Giants: an unhappy Osi Umenyiora. Umenyiora wants a new contract badly, which has been the case the past several years. Umenyiora wants to be paid like a top defensive lineman but with his injury history and the need for the Giants to extend players like Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks that seems unlikely. The Giants would welcome an extension for Umenyiora, but not at the money he demands. Rumors have swirled that the Giants would try to trade him, but is that really in the Giants' best interests?

While Umenyiora's disdain for his contract may play a factor in how quick he comes back from injuries, it has not affected his play on the field. Playing in only nine games last year, Umenyiora recorded nine sacks. He was force during the post season recording three and half sacks, including a forced fumble against the Green Bay Packers that prevented Aaron Rodgers from connecting with a wide open Greg Jennings for a likely touchdown. That, coupled with Hakeem Nicks' halftime Hail Mary touchdown catch were the main factors in the Giants winning that game. In 2011, Umenyiora recorded 11.5 sacks, including ten forced fumbles which set a record.

With Jason Pierre-Paul continuing to blossom in to a future star, Umenyiora's snaps will continue to decrease. However in limited snaps Umenyiora's impact is far greater than any potential replacement. Not counting Mathias Kiwanuka, who spends most of his time at linebacker, the Giants only have two established defensive ends outside of Umenyiora. The rotation of three star defensive ends has been instrumental in the last two Super Bowl runs for New York and can carry the team at times. So as long as Umenyiora continues to play hard on the field the Giants are better off with him unhappy, than without him.