Lombardi: Umenyiora Could Be Had With The Right Price

by Josh Kirkendall on Apr 18, 2010 12:46 PM EDT in Analysis

The New York Giants are willing to part with defensive end Osi Umenyiora, provided that they draft South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul, according to National Football Post's Michael Lombardi. Umenyiora has recorded at least 13 quarterback sacks in two of the past four seasons. Lombardi writes that the defensive end may not be all that costly to obtain. According to Roto World, Umenyiora could be "available for as little as a mid-round pick." The Giants signed him to a six-year extension worth $41 million through 2012 with upwards to $4.2 million earned in total salary in 2010, with $3.125 million scheduled to be earned in 2011 and $3.975 million in 2012.

As to whether the Bengals will show up for a draft day trade, it seems unlikely. Even though Marvin Lewis talked about trades on draft day, the team historically doesn't trade for veteran players with that much due to the player. And it seems even more unlikely that Umenyiora would sign a deal less than what he's scheduled to earn.

Cincinnati's defensive end position has a lot of uncertainty. Will Antwan Odom return to full health? Will Michael Johnson improve upon his rookie season? Can Jonathan Fanene keep up an impressive 2009 season where he played well as a versatile defensive lineman that took over for the injured Odom? There is concern that the team won't have the pass rushing attack that they hope to have for 2010. On the other hand, while all of those questions could go negative, they just as easily could go the other way, with injuries being healed, backup players stepping up more and Johnson becoming a wrecking ball his sophomore season.

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Osi would certainly provide some great depth, provided his health

I’ve always thought he’s a good player. But we have definitely had some rotten luck with big acquisitions on the D-Line.

by jsl413 on Apr 18, 2010 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

Our luck has kinda sucked

But if we paid the right price for Umenyiora I would be pretty happy.

I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.

by Topher Doll on Apr 18, 2010 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Aaron Rodgers would probably disagree. :)

by Todd G on Apr 19, 2010 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Zim knows..

hes in a fix with Geathers a no show season (again) and Odom coming off a bad injury,thats your starting DE’s ? Fanene filled in nicely,but hes also in his final year,and Michael Johnson on a learning curve,thats why Zim is being hush hush on this subject come draft day,because inside Zims head,hes not wanting safety at #21,hes dont want no one to know it,but the player he really wants is Jason Pierre-Paul from South Florida,the kid has freakish skills at DE and Zim knows it,he sells it in his talks on “pass rush wasnt good enough”,so Zims secret pick is out,if the kids slides down to #21,you can bet the farm thats who Zim wanted all along.

by Primal on Apr 18, 2010 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

I think anyone at 21 would take Pierre-Paul

There’s absolutely no way he falls that far

by jsl413 on Apr 18, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

If Osi can be had on the cheap . . .

. . .and the Bengals can’t get a good DE in 1 or 2, then they should pull the trigger on this deal. Experienced backup/rotational DE with known skills at the NFL level in Zimmer’s D? Not even a second thought, in my mind.

NY would probably like to have Osi out of the NFC if they trade him, and the deal/money he is making is not terribly huge. He’s cut-able anytime too, if they don’t think they’re getting value for the position or the money being spent.

by rorschach1979 on Apr 18, 2010 5:43 PM EDT reply actions

i just have a feeling

browns not gonna make any deals… :-/

85 + 15 = 100...

by Trevor Long on Apr 18, 2010 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions

You're probably right

Because sharp deal making is not exactly this front office’s forte. But this deal would make sense, if it were for a mid round pick. The Bengals, like most teams, tend to whiff a lot of rounds 3-5. So a proven player that would actually be used, well, that makes too much sense.

by rorschach1979 on Apr 18, 2010 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly.. too much sense. thats prob why we wont do it.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Apr 19, 2010 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions

sure lets get him....

Along w Ginn, TO, Stacey Andrews bro, pacman, Schedfler, haynesworth, Marshall, etc. fans are often quite rIdiculous and any owner would be nuts to listen to them as someone said earlier. I like where we are at and will only be better after the draft. We are not the Redskins of the 2000’s or in Cleveland. (Sam wyche is great)

by quickslant on Apr 18, 2010 6:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Then you're an idiot

Because each potential deal should be measured on its own merits. Most of the ones you listed were not done, and rightly so, for many reasons: lack of need, age, money, problems, etc. But give me 2 reasons why getting Osi would be terrible, if the price were, say, a 4th round pick?

1 traded pick for a proven player does not make the Bengals either the Redskins (who acquire free agents stupidly, and thus the comparison isn’t even valid) or the Browns. This deal would be closer to NE getting Randy Moss – an actual player of value that would most certainly be used well.

by rorschach1979 on Apr 18, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

two reasons

$ and production. And hey have a litlle class. That must be why you missed the Cleveland point.

by quickslant on Apr 18, 2010 8:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

What are you smoking?

Read the write up one more time, maybe this time with your glasses on. The guy’s production has been phenomenal, and only an injury over a year ago + a new defensive scheme (with a DC that didn’t like him or use him like his former one did) dropped his production from double digit sacks.

And money, are you serious? Less than 4 mil per, for someone that could be a phenomenal pass rusher? With no signing bonus due, and an easy cut if production is not there with no cap ramifications should that get reinstated. You can’t get pass rushing cheaper than that on the market – as if there were options there – and the draft is a crapshoot at that position.

Yours was the post that sarcastically called out peoples’ trade/FA ideas. But your points make no sense and have no underlying logic other than “I think they will be better next year”. Hence, my original statement – you’re an idiot.

by rorschach1979 on Apr 18, 2010 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

recently, sour diesel

But there is no way osi signs the kind of contract you think we could get him at. It would be much more than 3-4 mil/ year noted earlier. Just like Marshall got paid Fitzgerald money. No question he WOULD be great to have, and of course I’d be happy as hell if we got him. But really?

by quickslant on Apr 18, 2010 9:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Dude, read the above article!!!

He’s already signed for the next 3 seasons, making only $4 mil per. We trade for him, we get that contract . . . . and, done.

by rorschach1979 on Apr 18, 2010 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

someone else please clarify

In a trade, do you acquire player and contract? Or do team and player agree to new terms?

by quickslant on Apr 18, 2010 10:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The contract is transferred in any trade with all terms exactly as they were unless both sides agree to change them. Which they could if they wanted to. But there is never any requirement to renegotiate unless the terms of the trade include that requirement (they can, but they don’t have to and rarely do).

by FriarBob on Apr 18, 2010 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions

fair enough

Friar Bob, you are the man and I always enjoy your posts. I apparently have m
uch to learn about the NFL contract agreements. and hey, I’d be thrilled to have any of these available players in my squad. I’m just glad we at least got Bryant, we needed him. More importantly, I’m glad to see that we are finally able to build from within. Come in Pat Simms!

by quickslant on Apr 19, 2010 12:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Hi, I'm going door to door

preaching the Gospel of Carlos Dunlap. Potentially, and I did say potentially, more upside than Jason Pierre Paul- taller, faster, stronger. 6-6", 290, 4.6 40, need I say more? Risk/reward and all that but certainly available at 21. To heck with Umenyora. Hmm…

by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 18, 2010 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

Available in the 2nd round?

Sounds like a scary reach and potential bust that happens to be a freak athlete.

by jsl413 on Apr 18, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

potentially more downside too

He’ll probably go early 2nd, so he won’t be much of a consideration for us at either #21 or #54.

by Mr. X on Apr 18, 2010 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Brandon Graham may be there at 21.

And as much as it pains me, I’m honestly expecting only a slightly improved offense with the draftees, FAs we’ve signed and Bobby B at OC. We’re going to have to keep games low-scoring to win—a scary proposition given our schedule this year—so our pass rush has to improve A LOT. Graham would be a monster at DE with Zimmer coaching him up.

by Bengals NFL Champs on Apr 18, 2010 7:21 PM EDT reply actions

Pollack kind of ruined the LB->DE thing for me

Or vice versa. Whatever it was.

by jsl413 on Apr 18, 2010 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

why?

He was turning into a great player before the freak injury (or Bengal curse, depending on your persuasion) snuffed out his career.

I would like to see us be able to add some blitz packages similar to what Pittsburgh and /or Baltimore do, and Graham would help us get there.

by Bengals NFL Champs on Apr 18, 2010 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

He was OK. I would definitely not say he was great.

by jsl413 on Apr 19, 2010 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

In 2005 Thurman and Pollack looked liked they were going to be great.

by DonMegga on Apr 19, 2010 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions

and both were on track to be great

but injury plus personal problems train-wrecked that idea.

by The Dealio on Apr 19, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Thurman, yes.

Pollack looked like he’d be solid. Not great in my book. His injury has led to some glorification.

by jsl413 on Apr 19, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Speaking of Thurman,

when are they going to sign this guy back. Maybe after the draft….

by WHYUS!! on Apr 19, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

^^^This.

Pollack was starting to make a good impact. His holdout and the position change really impacted his rookie season, but he was starting to make a difference. Wish we could have seen him continue to improve.

by Craig Conrad on Apr 20, 2010 6:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed about defense in the 1st round. Osi for a mid round pick is a no brainer… As for the offense under brat, well that’s the scary part. I feel drafting OL is important as well as finding a solid TE (Sheffler)? I still feel the Bengals will win the North again and make a strong push for a deep playoff run…

by Bdub14 on Apr 18, 2010 7:59 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

The Bengals fan in me desperately wants to believe it. The realist (and after a couple decades + of following this team I’ve earned it) tells me unless pass rush improves exponentially, we lose ten games this year.

by Bengals NFL Champs on Apr 18, 2010 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I need to find a way to be notified about flags.

by jsl413 on Apr 19, 2010 12:03 AM EDT reply actions

expensive

Hes not going to take a pay cut, and he would cost way to much money for a rotational DE

by JCompton41 on Apr 19, 2010 12:03 AM EDT reply actions

4MM a year?

For a guy that could potential get back to Pro Bowl levels? If it’s a 4th round pick, I’d do it. In an uncapped year.

by jsl413 on Apr 19, 2010 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd love it too guys but mike brown does not give up draft pickkkkkkkkkkkkkkksssssssssssss! Gee's!

But he is form troy… (my school) i sure would love to have him

85 + 15 = 100...

by Trevor Long on Apr 19, 2010 12:50 AM EDT reply actions

*from

85 + 15 = 100...

by Trevor Long on Apr 19, 2010 12:50 AM EDT reply actions

The draft is the way you build your team. However, when a situation occurs where you can upgrade your team by trading a pick for a proven player it should be given strong consideration. It’s called balance. Now MB hates to trade picks, but it’s not impossible. Recall two years ago, they were ready to trade a 3 & 5 to Detroit for Rogers, but then Cleveland snuck in at the last second and foiled the trade. I know I’m beating a dead horse, but there is no way you can convience me that trading a 4 or 5 for Scheffler isn’t a value trade. Considering the draft pick could end up being a Sean Brewer, Adam Keift, etc.

by redberkey on Apr 19, 2010 7:40 AM EDT reply actions

OSI

Osi for a fourth rounder or even a third rounder would be a no brainer. If healthy, he would give us an instant pass rusher and add some great depth to the D line. You cant beat giving up a third or fourth rounder for a proven pass rusher in the league, and in my opinion he is one of the top 7 or 8 best defensive ends in all of the NFL.

by diehard fan on Apr 19, 2010 10:27 AM EDT reply actions