Three months ago, New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora was so upset about being benched late in the 2009 season that he said he’d quit before he’d be a backup again. But as the Giants start organized team activities today, Umenyiora says he doesn’t know why there were so many stories this offseason about him possibly leaving New York.
“I’ve been in New York the last two weeks working with the team,” Umenyiora wrote on his blog. “I’m not sure what all the fuss has been about with me. There has been a lot of talk about me, about me getting traded. I didn’t get traded, I’m with the team and have been with the team. I think people have been looking for me to do something to cause dissension, but that’s not happening.”
Of course, Umenyiora’s own comments in February are the reason people have been looking for him to cause dissension. But Umenyiora says he’s looking forward, not backward.
“I’m focused on working and want to do all I can to help this team win games,” Umenyiora wrote. “I’m looking forward to starting OTAs.”
So for now, anyway, Umenyiora is a happy camper. Whether he’s still a happy camper if he’s not a starter in four months remains to be seen.