Rice takes a beating

Simeon Rice is causing controversy all over the place these days.

The defensive end who was released by the Bucs last week is visiting with the Giants today and is a candidate to join the team with Michael Strahan still not in training camp because of his contract dispute. Here's where it gets thorny: Giants Pro Bowl right end Osi Umenyiora spoke out about the possibility of Rice signing with the team, and it wasn't pretty.

"Nobody's talking about Julius Peppers. I mean, Simeon Rice is an outstanding pass rusher, but that's what he is," Umenyiora told the Newark Star-Ledger.

Umenyiora, photo at left, added, "I don't know where he's going to play.  I know he can't play left defensive end because they run the ball there. He can't play right defensive end. Well, he's been a right end. . . .  (But) I'm not moving to the left side. Absolutely not. Not even a question. I'm a right end. I've been successful at right end. I don't feel the need to move to a different position. . . I'm not going to move to left defensive end if they sign Simeon Rice, is what I'm trying to tell you. If the team asks me, 'Okay, we need you to move to left defensive end because we need you at that position,' I will. But I'm not going to move to that position because Simeon Rice is coming in. I won't do it."

Lastly, we'll leave you with this gem from Osi: "I'm not going to go so far as to call him what a lot of other people have called him. But I'm not sure. They say he's not the best run player and I guess people gave him that reputation for a reason."

Comments

Osi needs to shut his mouth because he hasn't been the most productive DE either. He had ONE good season last year and the Giants are probably unsure whether he has fully recovered from his injury. For a team that hasn't been very productive, the Giants sure talk a lot of smack. You don't hear the Bucs or Jets talk that much....

[Daniel]

Does anybody think the Giants will offer Sim over 5 mil, the final offer from the Bucs? They wont pay Strayhan and he can play the run and rush the passer.

[DR]

Geez, this guy sounds like a 16 year old girl on that show on MTV, My Sweet Sixteen!

That was stupid and immature.

[aaron]

sounds like he feels threatened. i would rahter have rice at this age than osi right now. rice is a hell of a pass rusher and his play against the run is better thatn what a lot of people think.

[henry]

Umenyiora, is not a team player that is why the Giants will never be a Super Bowl team. They have to many I's on their them. Look at Eli, Shockey, and Umenyiora no one is willing to do anything for the team. They only wants stats not RINGS! So Umenyiora stay at the right end and never when a RING you selfish, over paid, 1 good season, I'm trying to get my coach fired team player. GO COWBOYS!!!!!!