Early Friday morning it was reported that New York Giants’ DE Osi Umenyiora has parted ways with his agent.

Later Friday afternoon the Giants and Umenyiora finally, after debating for two seasons, agreed to reconstruct his contract.

According to the New York Daily News, it was the support of his teammates that helped him make the push to want to stay in New York and work a new deal:

I’m just happy, I’m happy it’s all over with…It’s time to get back to work.  It was definitely frustrating (not being on the field this spring), but hearing some of the things they said, whether it was Kiwi [Mathias Kiwanuka], [Justin] Tuck or JPP [Jason Pierre-Paul] or Antrel [Rolle]–hearing the way they supported me, it made me want to come back even more and be around them.  Those guys really stepped up for me.  I appreciate it and I’m happy to be here with them.

Umenyiora has made it known in the media for the last few seasons that he wanted to rework a contract and get an extension.  It became quite a saga as the DE isn’t shy and is willing to speak his mind.  He was unhappy with his six-year, $41 million extension he signed in 2007.  He was to make just under $4 million this season.

Last season Umenyiora attempted a hold out, and Giants GM Jerry Reese gave him the opportunity to seek a trade.  When they could not find a team willing to trade a first round pick, Umenyiora decided to end his hold out, but opted for knee surgery after a few practices.

Umenyiora did not practice with the team until he and the Giants came to some sort of agreement and lock in his status with the team.

Details of what was agreed on are not known at this time.

The seemingly never ending saga that is Osi Umenyiora’s contract woes has a new chapter.  I title it:  Greedy pig, or angry boy?

Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reported Monday morning that the Giants DE was upset when GM Jerry Reese told the media that they offered him another contract extension that he turned down.  Umenyiora, in an email to the NYDN, said Reese was distorting the truth and that it wasn’t much of an offer at all:

Last year I was offered incentives.  This year they offered me in guaranteed money, HALF of what they just gave Kiwi guaranteed.  HALF…I’m not making that up.  Then Jerry tells the world they offered me an extension and I turned it down.  And I look like a greedy pig for turning it down.  Hilarious.

After reading the news last week about Mathias Kiwanuka’s three-year contract extension, the first thought that ran through my mind was, “Osi is going to be pissed.”  I think it’s safe to say I was right.

Kiwanuka was offered a $10.95 million guaranteed three-year extension worth up to $21.75 million.  I find it very hard to believe that Reese only offered Umenyiora half of $10.95 million.

Umenyiora is entering the final year of a seven-year $41.5 million contract and has been asking for an extension for the past three offseasons.  After the lockout last summer, he refused to practice and held out.  He even accused Reese of being a liar about promising an extension.  Toward the end of camp Umenyiora opted for surgery on his knee and missed a few weeks of the season.

Even with missing weeks, he ended the season with 9 sacks and in 2012 he had 11.5.  I do think Umenyiora is one of the top DE’s in the game, and I know Reese thinks so, too.  Reese wants him to stay.  Reese has an entire payroll to look at, but he knows how much money Umenyiora is worth and will pay it.

What really annoys me is the feeling I get in my stomach that Umenyiora just doesn’t want to be in New York anymore.  He says he wants to be a Giant, but I don’t believe him.

If this is the way it’s always going to be, Reese giving him an extension and then in five years demands another, then go.  I don’t want you here.

And my favorite part was at the end of the email, Umenyiora says that he will stay silent and not talk about the matter anymore.

Osi:  You said that after the Super Bowl.  You didn’t keep your promise then, and I don’t see you keeping your promise again.

I don’t see Reese looking for trade offers to dish out Umenyiora.  He’ll finish up his last year in New York.  At this point I’m done reading about this.  I’m done with him whining and crying about wanting more money.  I don’t care how much money he makes.  I wish he would care a  little more about focusing on 2011.  On finding ways to get 15 sacks in 2012.

When someone else gets a new contract…I don’t want to have to think about you.

Do us all a favor, Osi, and quit whining.  We don’t want to hear about it.

It was announced earlier Wednesday afternoon that former New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers and joined their team.

Jacobs was released by the Giants earlier in the month.

Jacobs spent his entire career with the Giants debuting in 2005.  He was a fan favorite for years and known as one of the biggest running backs in the league.  His best seasons were in 2007 and 2008 when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each.

As the years had gone by Jacobs had to deal with injuries that have set him back.  Last season he was a second string running back behind Ahmad Bradshaw which did not make him a happy camper.  In 2011 he rushed for only 571 yards, but was able to score seven touchdowns; one shy of new teammate Frank Gore, who Jacobs will be second string to.

Chemistry is going to be the biggest impact for Jacobs and the 49ers.  As Jacobs was regressing during his years with the Giants, his chemistry went in a new, and not so great direction.  Having a verteran on the team will be great if Gore winds up injured, but if Jacobs cannot cooperate then Jim Harbaugh will have a problem on his hands.

Jacobs needs to approach this with a new outlook on his role on a new team.  If he does then he will succeed.  His size can make him unstoppable for defenders, to the point where he’s dragging players who are trying to tackle him.  If he goes in with the right mind, then it will be a good signing.

If he goes in with the same attitude he had in New York, then he won’t see much playing time.

Jacobs felt he was mistreated by New York with the rise of Bradshaw.  I wish him well, but I hope he’s not going to the 49ers expecting to start.

Barton Silverman/The New York Times

After winning Super Bowl 46, New York Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham became a free agent.  He made it pretty clear that he was planning on leaving New York in attempt to cash in on a big contract.

….or so he thought.

Manningham and the San Francisco 49ers reached a two-year deal that would bring him across the country.  The contract is worth $7.375 million.  He’ll receive a guaranteed $1.2 million in 2012, however only $1.25 million of the $3.6 million in 2013 in guaranteed.  He’ll also receive a roster bonus of $187,500 and a workout bonus of $100,00.

That means if he gets cut after the 2012 season, he’ll only  make $4.7375 million.  So much for a big cash contract…

Josh Morgan on the other hand, who Manningham is replacing, is guaranteed $7.5 million of a $12 million contract in 2012 with the Washington Redskins.

It’s a good thing the Giants still have Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz, otherwise losing Manningham to a contract like this would have been a sting in the side.

I wish Manningham well, but was it really worth the move?