by Joe Tailgate on July 8, 2009
in NFL News
The sentiment around the Giants is that DE Osi Umenyiora has had an excellent offseason and should be ready to play at a Pro Bowl level again this season. Observers said he has shown an edge this offseason, both in his play and in his comments about returning to form. Even though the Giants have a deep rotation up front and can ease him back into the lineup, there’s a good chance he’ll start the season in the base defense, ready to dominate.
Michael Boley has been suspended without pay for the team’s first regular-season game of 2009 for violating the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Boley’s suspension begins on Saturday, September 5. He is eligible to return to the Giants’ active roster on Monday, September 14 following the team’s September 13 game against the Washington Redskins.
At the NFL Rookie Symposium in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., rookie RB Andre Brown said that his new team likes him for his versatility, and that he’ll be utilized for it.
“I’m a scatback compared to Brandon Jacobs, so that’s what they’re trying to get me into because I can catch the ball real well out of the backfield,” Brown said when asked about his role. “Otherwise they’re just telling me to come in there and work hard, and I’m just going in trying to do what I can do to help the Giants win another Super Bowl.”
Some More Giants Stuff
Vikings CB Antoine Winfield, whose contract negotiations with the Vikings broke down this month, plans to attend the team’s three-day minicamp this weekend, according to linebacker Erin Henderson. Henderson told Paul Allen of KFAN Radio (1130 AM) this morning that Winfield said he plans to be in attendance at Winter Park for the only mandatory camp of the offseason for veteran players.
Ravens WR Derrick Mason seemed uncertain whether he would participate in training camp, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that he expects the veteran wide receiver to “be ready for most if not all of training camp.” ”Derrick starting the season healthy is our No. 1 concern,” Harbaugh said.
Giants DE Osi Umenyiora missed all of last season with a knee injury suffered on Aug. 23 in a preseason game against the Jets. And now he’s back and feeing good.
“It felt good,” Umenyiora said, according to the Giants’ press release. “I was excited, very excited to be around those guys. I realized I missed them. I miss being out there. This is my seventh year. I’m the (longest-tenured) guy here. Imagine that, I’m the oldest guy on this defense as far as being with the Giants. When I look around, it’s just amazing that I’ve been here that long. I’m just happy to be here.” In March, Umenyiora proclaimed himself “99 percent” healthy after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus. “The pain is basically gone,” he said. “There’s a little bit, but that’s been there since I’ve been in the NFL. I had that little knee thing. I’m used to dealing with that. The surgery went extremely well. I don’t even feel that pain at all. I feel good. I feel like I look (good) and that’s all that’s important. It felt weird. I was a little rusty. But I felt good at the same time. I think all the work that I’ve put in the past year or so has really paid off. I feel explosive. I feel good.”
Broncos have released RB J.J. Arrington after Arrington failed his physical. Arrington, who signed with the team as a free agent from Arizona in March, had knee surgery after the Super Bowl and had been unable to participate so far in the Broncos’ organized team activities.
