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Nothing Left to Accomplish

– via NFL.com –
Osi Umenyiora wants to start at defensive end. And he doesn’t want to be used only in passing situations.

The 10-year NFL veteran knows that’s probably not happening with the New York Giants.

“I feel fortunate to be able to play 10 years in New York,” Umenyiora said on “The Michael Kay Show,” via ESPNNewYork.com. “It was a great run. I think now is probably the time to move on. There’s really not much left for me to accomplish here in New York. Look at things that have been done here, what is there that is to be done that I haven’t done? We won a championship twice. I think I’ve been a Pro Bowl player. Everything has pretty much gone better than I could have imagined in New York.

“So if there is a time to leave, it probably would be now, but there is no telling what would happen.”

Umenyiora had 43 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles in 16 games this season. He started in just four games.

“I’ve earned the right to be a free agent,” Umenyiora said. “It’s been 10 years. I signed a seven-year deal, and they made me play out all seven of those years. If they wanted me back, I think something would have been done before now.”

Sure sounds like Umenyiora is gone. He has taken issue with the contract situation in the past and does not like the way he has been rotated in along the Giants’ D-line.

“I’m not a situational pass rusher,” Umenyiora said, via Sporting News. “I think that’s the word that’s been going around me for years because most people don’t know what they’re talking about.

“But there’s no football person who’s going to actually sit there and watch tape and not think that I’m a starter in this league, and I’m 100 percent sure of that.”

Changing Of the GM

– via NYJets.com –
Our 2012 season was a disappointment to all of us. My goal every year as owner is to build a team that wins consistently. This year, we failed to achieve that goal.

This morning, I informed Mike Tannenbaum that he will not return for the 2013 season. Mike devoted 15 years of service to the Jets, and I want to thank him for his hard work and dedication. Although he helped guide us to two consecutive AFC Championship games, we are not where we want to be, and a new General Manager will be critical to getting this team back on the right track.

Starting immediately, we will conduct a search for a new General Manager. I’ve consulted with a number of football executives and I have also engaged the services of Korn/Ferry International, the same search firm that conducted the NFL Commissioner search in 2006. Our process with Korn/Ferry will be led by Jed Hughes, who heads their sports practice and who previously led the General Manager search for the Seattle Seahawks, among others. When we have updates on this process, we will provide them to our fans and the media.

Rex Ryan will remain the Head Coach of our football team. I believe that he has the passion, the talent, and the drive to successfully lead our team.

Like all Jets fans, I am disappointed with this year’s results. However, I am confident that this change will best position our team for greater success going forward.