Thoughts On Osi Umenyiora's Chances of Coming to the Patriots
 Umenyiora is probably a long shot to end up in Foxboro. (FILE:Icon/SMI) |
There's a lot of buzz this morning regarding Osi Umenyiora, and as fun as it would be to have someone like him join Vince Wilfork and newly acquired Albert Haynesworth, it looks like it's probably a longshot.
According to most reports the Giants are willing to move him, but it's likely to cost at least a 1st round pick "and then some" in order to pry Umenyiora away. As Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald points out, in Bill Belichick's tenure with the Patriots, he has never traded a 1st round pick for a player, and probably won't in this case either. Rapoport reminded fans that the most Belichick has given up for a current player is a second and seventh rounder, which is what the cost was to get Wes Welker back in 2007.
Granted New England does have two 1st round picks next year, but another interesting point worth mentioning is what Zach Berman of the Star Ledger wrote. Berman points out that teams are less likely to part with 1st rounders going forward because - thanks to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement - they don't cost as much anymore. So a future pick of that caliber obviously makes more financial sense than what a guy like Umenyiora would cost.
According to published reports he has two years left on his deal, and is scheduled to make $3,125,000 this season, and $3,975,000 in 2012.
Needless to say it would be a lot of fun to have three guys like Umenyiora, Wilfork, and Haynesworth up front. Unfortunately it's probably not going to happen.
UPDATED 8/3: According to reports, the Giants have reduced their demands to a second round pick, which is expected to increase interest around the league. However due to Umenyiora's salary, it would still be a surprise if he ended up in Foxboro.
