Giants head coach Tom Coughlin spoke on a number of issues in his press conference today including DE Osi Umenyiora and WR Plaxico Burress. Coughlin believes Burress has taken a “step in the right direction.” According to the head coach the Giants had “discussions” with Burress and he “knew where the Giants were financially.”
According to a report, the Giants made the following offer to Burress:
$4 million, $1 mil salary (zero $ signing bonus), $500,000 for playing time incentives and $3 million in total incentives. It seems Burress chose the $3 million in guaranteed money over having to earn it. Keep in mind the Giants will play the Jets on Christmas eve. Coughlin doesn’t believe the Giants will look elsewhere for another WR and just because they did so with Burress doesn’t mean they won’t look at there own guys. OK, then.
Another highlight of Coach Coughlin’s press conference was when he talked about DE Osi Umenyiora. As of yesterday, Umenyiora would “never talk do Jerry Reese” again. According to Coughlin “Osi and Reese talked and believes some good came out of it.” Coughlin also said “we’ll see if Osi gets cleared. Points out past health issues.” That seems to be good news on the disgruntled Osi front.
The Giants have high hopes for last year’s first round pick DE Jason Pierre-Paul. Pierre-Paul believes he played “to slow” last year. (If he played to slow last year then what’s fast?) Pierre-Paul also belives if the Giants keep Osi Umenyiora and have all four of there defensive ends back “people would be in trouble. Big time. That’s all I can say.” If they do go in another direction and trade Umenyiora, Pierre-Paul would have to step up.
With DT Barry Cofield heading over to the Redskins on a 6-year $36 million and DT Rocky Bernard released, last year’s second pick Linval Jospeh will be asked to take on a bigger role, and believes he’s ready to do so. He added more muscle but maintained weight in offseason.
Former Giants C Shaun O’Hara is visting with the Miami Dolphins today. The former anchor of the Giants offensive line was released this week to shed cap space so the Giants can sign their free agents.