Osi Umenyiora, on the verge of what looks to be his season debut, sounded yesterday as if his hard feelings toward Giants management remain front and center. Â Read more after the jump.
The Pro Bowl defensive end seems likely to play tomorrow at Arizona for the first time since arthroscopic knee surgery in August after practicing all week and being listed as questionable on the injury report.
But Umenyiora, who has voiced displeasure about his contract for much of the past three seasons, didn’t look all that happy or excited about getting back on the field.
Speaking in a low monotone with his left knee heavily wrapped, Umenyiora repeatedly used the word “disrespected” — without identifying by whom — when asked about his motivation.
“I always have a chip on my shoulder,” he said. “I feel like I’m constantly disrespected, and I always feel like I need to prove myself. This season is no different than last season or the season before [it], and it’s probably going to be the same way next season. Something’s going to happen, and I’m going to be disrespected again, and I’m going to have to prove myself all over again.”
Asked if he felt disrespected by Giants management, Umenyiora said: “I’m not going to say that. Just [disrespected] in general.”
Whether Umenyiora will get to return fire at his unspecified doubters tomorrow is up to the Giants’ medical staff, although the veteran said he expects to play if the team — as expected — allows him to make the cross-country flight to Phoenix.
“I don’t think I’ll be limited [if allowed to play],” Umenyiora said when asked if he would have a snap limit tomorrow. “They wouldn’t even put me in that situation if they thought I was going to be limited. If they allow me to travel and dress and play, I’m going to be full-go.”
Wide receiver Brandon Stokley was also cryptic yesterday, in this case when asked about what a league source said was his hush-hush trip to a local hospital Wednesday after what the Giants said was a quadriceps injury.
Quad strains don’t normally require a hospital visit, and Stokley — who is officially out tomorrow — added to the mystery by refusing even to acknowledge it happened.
“I know what happened, but I’m not going to discuss it,” Stokley said. “Ask [coach Tom Coughlin].”
The Giants got some positive and definitive injury news when wideouts Mario Manningham (concussion) and Hakeem Nicks (knee swelling) were cleared to play. Both are listed as probable. . . . Long snapper Zak DeOssie is questionable because of a back issue and could be replaced by rookie linebacker Mark Herzlich or tight end Travis Beckum, although Coughlin said he expects DeOssie to play.
