Reunite Spags with a DE?

As we are looking for players for the future of the Rams, I have been looking for possible guys to fill holes but more importantly make an impact.  Now this may be a bit of a stretch, but I feel it is worth considering.  One of Spags products back in New York, Osi Umenyiora, has been having quite a bit of trouble with their new Def coordinator Sherridan.  In fact, it got so bad that after the last game he exploded and said some things that you wouldn't say unless you were very emotional or drunk.  Take read below: 

"EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- An incredulous Osi Umenyiora expressed his frustration after the New York Giants' dismal performance against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and wondered whether he had played his last game with the team.

"I couldn't really explain what I'm feeling right now, disappointment is an understatement, in everything, the way everything has played out this year has been absolute nonsense, very disappointed, disheartened, discouraged, whatever you want to call it," Umenyiora said after the Giants' 41-9 loss to the Panthers.

"I feel all those emotions," the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end said. "On a day like this, for us to come out and perform like that is unbelievable to me. I don't even know what else to say."

Umenyiora, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, lost his starting job to Mathias Kiwanuka earlier this month. He said he played about five plays on Sunday in a loss that left the Giants (8-7) needing a ton of help to make the playoffs.

"I don't know, I don't know what happened," Umenyiora said. "I thought I was the problem. It's an unbelievable situation, man. Last game at Giants Stadium, probably as a Giant, just the way everything has unfolded has been unbelievable. I never would have dreamt this in a million years, but it is what it is, we live and we learn."

When pressed about the game and his future, a watery-eyed Umenyiora cut off the interview.

"I'm about to say something that would get me really messed up, so I'm just going to leave now," he said. "You guys have a good day."

Umenyiora did not have a tackle in the game.

After a couple of days and some cooling off, he came with another statement:

"Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora made it clear Sunday that he was unhappy about his backup status and hinted that he may have played his final home game with the team. On Wednesday, Umenyiora clarified his remarks and expressed hope that he would return to the Giants in 2010. But he would like to see a couple of changes before that happens. 

"Frustration, man, definitely a whole bunch of frustration," said Umenyiora. "I think given the fact that it was the last game at Giants Stadium, all the things that our predecessors have done there, all the things we’ve done there as a team, all the things I’ve done there as a player, to see the team play like that, especially the defense, not being able to go out there and help more or play as much as I’d like, it definitely made me angry and frustrated and I came in and just reacted without much thought." 

If Umenyiora had stopped at that point, everyone may have been ready to move on down the road. But it's obvious that while he may have a better handle on his emotions, he still expects some changes to be made. 

"I’m not a third-down player, I’m not a third-down rusher," Umenyiora told reporters. "I play the run and I’ve played the run this year. I think I had a bad game against Denver -- a bad quarter against Denver -- and things kind of snowballed from there. But in actuality, who on this team has played excellent every game? Things happen. I cannot take that away from myself because I’m only in on third downs and they say I can’t play the run. That’s absolute BS because I can and there’s film there to prove it." 

Umenyiora is a proud player who has succeeded in this league, so I can understand his frustration. I can also tell you that general manager Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin don't deal particularly well with ultimatums from players. You can ask Jeremy Shockey about that last statement. 

At the end of the day, I believe that Umenyiora thinks that he was shown up by the coaching staff. I know that a couple other players were benched, but Umenyiora had the highest profile. Like any player in his situation, Umenyiora is probably also worried about how this will affect his market value. If the Giants took the unlikely step of trying to trade Umenyiora, he would want a new deal. No Pro Bowl-quality player wants to have the perception of not being able to play the run -- and that's why I think Umenyiora's being so vehement in his comments.

"I have spent the last seven years of my life here. I have a bunch of great friends here, but this situation cannot continue the way it is. There are definitely some things that are going to be changed." Thank you Mr. Mosley and ESPN.

Now one thing is clear...Osi wants to play more downs and if Sherridan is not going to accommodate that, then he is going to want out.  So I purpose you this, if the Giants and Osi can't see eye to eye, why not make a play at the guy and fill a hole at DE with a proven Pro-bowler.  If anyone knows how to use and communicte with this guy it would be Spags.  Not to mention, if Osi were to wear blue and gold, playing lots of downs would not be a problem it would be expected.  So the questions I ask are these:  

What would it take to get Osi from New York?  Maybe a 3rd this year and a 5th next year....if we were lucky

What would you be willing to give up for him?

What do you think the chances are that it could even happen?

With that in mind how would a Def line of Osi, Suh, Ryan, and Long look?