The crazy time of year that is free agency is fast approaching, so KCChiefs.com has you covered with a 30-day free agency look, highlighting the 30 most intriguing free agents or players who could be released/traded during the offseason.
You may have noticed, there are no restricted free agents on the list, largely because they rarely leave their current teams. None of the reports are indicative of the Chiefs plans for the 2013 free agency season.
DAY 6 of 30
Name: Osi Umenyiora
Position: DE
Height: 6'3
Weight: 255
College: Troy
Born: November 16th, 1981 (London, England)
Age: 31
Experience: 10 years
Drafted: 2003, 2nd Round-56th pick overall by New York Giants
Osi Umenyiora is a two time Pro Bowler (2005 & 2007), who was once considered one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL. However, as reported by Jenny Vrentas of Star-Ledger, Umenyiora's contract expired days after the Super Bowl and his departure from the Giants seems almost imminent.
If 2012 was Umenyiora's last run with the G-Men, he went out with the following stat line:
16 games (four starts), 27 solo tackles (15 assists), six sacks, one pass defensed and two forced fumbles
Here's Osi's career stat line with the Giants:
129 games (89 starts), 263 tackles (113 assists), 75.0 sacks, 13 passes defensed, 32 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries
STRENGTHS:
Some would consider Umenyiora to be an undersized defensive lineman, but he uses that to his advantage. He is explosive on the edge and has great athleticism, which along with his speed and quickness, has allowed him to excel at defenisve end during the last decade.
The Troy graduate has been known as one of the more premier pass rushers in the league, since his first full season as a starter in 2005. In 2007, Umenyiora set a Giants single-game franchise record, with six sacks against the Philadelphia Eagles.
WEAKNESSES:
Umenyiora has battled injuries throughout his career, which was noticeable with his diminshed role this season. He competed in all 16 games of a season six times, during his career.
He missed the entire 2008 season after undergoing knee surgery.
FINAL TAKE:
ESPN NFL Insider Bill Polian listed Umenyiora in his "special veterans," group, identifiying such players as having certain, specific qualities -- such as an on-field role/skill or high intangibles -- that would earn a paycheck greater than others of perhaps less value.
"They won't be your first choice as an every-down player," and the contract for someone like Umenyiora, "will be structured in a way so that the risk isn't that great, and the rewards could be above average," Polian said.
Umenyiora told Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News that, he believes he is still a Pro Bowl player.
2013 may be the time for Umenyiora to show those not offering him a contract, that he isn't just talk.
If he's healthy, the two-time Super Bowl champion can produce. Here's what he did during the three seasons, when he started all 16 games:
2005-14.5 sacks
2007-13.0 sacks
2010-11.5 sacks
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON OSI?
