Osi Umenyiora is happy with the new restructured deal he worked out with the New York Giants and has taken the field for organized team activities.
Umenyiora appeared to be unhappy with last year's contract situation as the team had not offered any form of extension. He held out of training camp, but finally returned at the end of July.
He says he did not have any hard feelings with the circumstances, it was all business.
"I was happy to be here last year. I love to play and I'm going to go out there and I'm going to continue to produce the way I've always done. And help this team win," he said to a group of reporters in his locker.
He proved he was ready to play. Osi only played nine games and delivered. He started in seven games and had nine sacks. Umenyiora then had a stellar postseason performance, with a team-high 3.5 sacks, tying Justin Tuck for the team's lead.
The Giants made a smart decision working out the contract since Umenyiora adds even more power to the team's defensive line. With starlets like Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka, the Giants post the most lethal pass rush in the NFL.
Umeyiora understands how important these players are to the Giants. He had an easier time understanding the Giants during this year's negotiations. He is older than the other three linemen and sees that the organization and fellow players need to look after their own interests as well.
"Obviously, you have Justin and then you have JPP coming up. You would have had three defensive ends making a ridiculous amount of money. You put your franchise in a very bad position," Osi told reporters.
The contract is said to fall between $7-7.5 million, but there is no extension. To Umenyoira, it is all about winning once again in 2012-2013.
"You just have to play for fun and play because you love the game and that's definitely what I'm doing."
