New York Giant's defensive end Osi Umenyiora tried to clear things up recently stating that he does not want to leave New York, not yet anyways, according to nj.com.
"I mean, I can understand why they read into it [a reference to his testimony made public earlier] , but that isn’t what it was about. It’s not about me wanting out of New York."
Umenyiora continued later stating that the lockout has derailed his renogotiations and understands the situation both him and general manager Jerry Reese have been put in, "Either the deal was going to be renegotiated or they were going to trade me to a team that would.
"But they can’t do that. They can’t talk to my agent, they can’t talk to other teams about trading me, they can’t do anything because of the lockout. So that’s how the lockout has hurt me, per se, and that’s what the statement was about. Not that he’s a liar or he’s this or that. He hasn’t even had an opportunity to do anything because of the lockout, which is exactly why it’s hurt me."
Osi Umenyiora has complained about his contract situation since April of 2008 when he stated that Jerry Reese promised him to renegotiate his contract, and give him on that better suits the value he's worth
Umenyiora though has tried to restate his claims of Jerry Reese lying and blaming his poor contract situation on the lockout rather then Jerry Reese and the Giants management.
"Once the lockout has been lifted and, at that point in time, nothing is done then I can say, ‘Okay, he promised this and said this and nothing has happened,'" Umenyiora said. "But I can’t say that right now. All I can say is I’m being done harm because he can’t even discuss anything with my agent or discuss anything with other teams."
Umenyiora was a vital asset to winning the 2007 Superbowl, and at the age of 29 is in his prime. He recorded 11½ sacks and NFL-record 10 forced fumbles last season leading the Giants to a 10-6 record and 7th in total yards allowed per game.
Umenyiora later tried to reiterate that he is not blaming anyone about his current contract situation.
"It’s not me against the New York Giants or me against Jerry Reese. This is about how the NFL lockout has prevented this team and me from renegotiating a new deal or prevented this team from trading me to a team that would renegotiate my deal. At the end of the day, it’s a business, man. We have to maximize the amount of money we have to make in a short period of time, just like they’re doing right now."
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