CatFan22
August 25th, 2008, 08:24 AM
Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan would consider returning to the team in the wake of Osi Umenyiora's season-ending knee injury, the New York Daily News has reported, citing an unnamed source.
According to the paper, Strahan, 36, who retired in the offseason after helping lead the Giants to a Super Bowl championship, would come back with the Giants if offered an $8 million contract for this season, according to a source close to the seven-time Pro Bowler.
"If the Giants make a sincere overture, it's a good chance that Strahan would consider coming back," the source said, according to the Daily News. "There are other things he has to take into consideration: the money and his contract with Fox."
Strahan currently holds a position at Fox Sports as an NFL studio analyst.
"But if the Giants really want him, they have a shot," the source said. "It's not out of the question."
The Giants appear open to the idea.
Co-owner Steve Tisch told the New York Post the Giants have warmed to the idea.
"Would I like Michael to be a New York Giant this season? Absolutely. Absolutely," Tisch told the Post. "Will he be? I have no idea. I don't even want to put a percentage on it but things changed very quickly [Saturday] night and if one of the potential solutions is to reach out to Michael, worst-case, it's certainly worth a phone call.''
Strahan was in Greece on vacation Sunday when he heard the extent of Umenyiora's injury, the Daily News reported.
Strahan wouldn't confirm the possibility of returning in an interview with the NFL Network.
"I haven't heard from anybody else, so to say if I would or wouldn't is premature," Strahan said. "So I'm enjoying my retired life right now."
Coach Tom Coughlin said the team is considering all its options.
Strahan retired in June, ending a 15-year career highlighted by the Giants' stunning Super Bowl victory over the unbeaten New England Patriots.
Coughlin recently talked with Strahan about his new career working on Fox's pregame NFL show on Sundays.
"The only thing I talked with Michael about was his new challenge, moving forward in his new assignment and he was very excited about that," Coughlin said, according to The Associated Press.
Agent Tony Agnone said the Giants have not contacted him to ask about Strahan.
"Obviously, he loves the Giants and obviously he is working for Fox," Agnone said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Right now he is relaxing and getting ready for his Fox gig."
Strahan missed all of training camp last season while mulling retirement. He reported to the team a little more than a week before the season opener and played well.
However, he trained while thinking about retirement last year and was in good shape.
The Giants open the season on Sept. 4 against the Washington Redskins.
A poster commented this on the ESPN page, and I was curious to what you guys thought of it:
"OK, let me go ahead and get this out of the way so you all wont have to jump all over me...Yes I am a Cowboys fan and yes, I would love nothing more than for Mike to stay out. Now, that said I do have a legit gripe on this one. Mike has been parading around the entire league during training camp as a member of Fox. Do you think the Cowboys would have welcomed him in to practice as a member of the Giants? I think not. This alone should keep him from being allowed to unretire. Brett Farve wasnt working for the media so, that is not a good comaprison. Just my two cents."
According to the paper, Strahan, 36, who retired in the offseason after helping lead the Giants to a Super Bowl championship, would come back with the Giants if offered an $8 million contract for this season, according to a source close to the seven-time Pro Bowler.
"If the Giants make a sincere overture, it's a good chance that Strahan would consider coming back," the source said, according to the Daily News. "There are other things he has to take into consideration: the money and his contract with Fox."
Strahan currently holds a position at Fox Sports as an NFL studio analyst.
"But if the Giants really want him, they have a shot," the source said. "It's not out of the question."
The Giants appear open to the idea.
Co-owner Steve Tisch told the New York Post the Giants have warmed to the idea.
"Would I like Michael to be a New York Giant this season? Absolutely. Absolutely," Tisch told the Post. "Will he be? I have no idea. I don't even want to put a percentage on it but things changed very quickly [Saturday] night and if one of the potential solutions is to reach out to Michael, worst-case, it's certainly worth a phone call.''
Strahan was in Greece on vacation Sunday when he heard the extent of Umenyiora's injury, the Daily News reported.
Strahan wouldn't confirm the possibility of returning in an interview with the NFL Network.
"I haven't heard from anybody else, so to say if I would or wouldn't is premature," Strahan said. "So I'm enjoying my retired life right now."
Coach Tom Coughlin said the team is considering all its options.
Strahan retired in June, ending a 15-year career highlighted by the Giants' stunning Super Bowl victory over the unbeaten New England Patriots.
Coughlin recently talked with Strahan about his new career working on Fox's pregame NFL show on Sundays.
"The only thing I talked with Michael about was his new challenge, moving forward in his new assignment and he was very excited about that," Coughlin said, according to The Associated Press.
Agent Tony Agnone said the Giants have not contacted him to ask about Strahan.
"Obviously, he loves the Giants and obviously he is working for Fox," Agnone said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Right now he is relaxing and getting ready for his Fox gig."
Strahan missed all of training camp last season while mulling retirement. He reported to the team a little more than a week before the season opener and played well.
However, he trained while thinking about retirement last year and was in good shape.
The Giants open the season on Sept. 4 against the Washington Redskins.
A poster commented this on the ESPN page, and I was curious to what you guys thought of it:
"OK, let me go ahead and get this out of the way so you all wont have to jump all over me...Yes I am a Cowboys fan and yes, I would love nothing more than for Mike to stay out. Now, that said I do have a legit gripe on this one. Mike has been parading around the entire league during training camp as a member of Fox. Do you think the Cowboys would have welcomed him in to practice as a member of the Giants? I think not. This alone should keep him from being allowed to unretire. Brett Farve wasnt working for the media so, that is not a good comaprison. Just my two cents."