With their season coming to an abrupt end after a 42-7 win over the Eagles Sunday, the Giants know their core could get broken up.
Osi Umenyiora is among a host of free agents who might not return, and he sounds like a man resigned to playing elsewhere in 2013.
“I’m just happy. If it is [my last game], then I’m just happy to have been in this situation and to have played for this organization, played for this team and to have accomplished the things that we’ve accomplished here as a team,’’ Umenyiora said. “You never know what’s going to happen, but if indeed it is, then it is what it is and I’m going to go out smiling. It was a great victory.’’
Umenyiora signed a two-year contract extension before the start of the season, with an easily voidable second season at just $1 million. With the defensive end posting just six sacks, the Giants are expected to make him a free agent. Umenyiora did not seemed overly worked up or emotional at the prospect of departing.
VOTE: WHO SHOULD THE GIANTS BRING BACK IN 2013?
“No, not at all,’’ said Umenyiora, who already said he felt Big Blue need wholesale offseason changes. “It’s actually a great feeling knowing that I still have some good football left in me. If it’s here, it’s here. I hope it is. But if it’s not, then I’ll just take my talents elsewhere, and I’m just happy to have played here and played for this great city, this great organization and this great team.’’
Wideout Victor Cruz, linebacker Chase Blackburn and safety Kenny Phillips are free agents, and offensive lineman David Diehl and perhaps even running back Ahmad Bradshaw also have their status in question. Though Cruz and Bradshaw are all but assured of returning, there clearly will be changes.
“I’d love to [return] — we’ll see how it unfolds,’’ Blackburn said. “I’m always hopeful. This is the only franchise I played for. I love it here, I love my teammates, my coaches and see how it goes. … You never know until it happens. When it unfolds, that’s when you find out. It’s a business, that’s the hard part about it.’’
Cruz — who caught four passes for 52 yards and a touchdown to finish with 86 receptions for 1,092 yards and 10 TDs — is a restricted free agent. The Pro Bowler made just $540,000 this season, but his return appears a fait accompli.
“I hope so,’’ Cruz said. “I want to stay here. I don’t want to go anywhere. This is my home. This is where I go to play football, so hopefully we can get things squared away and I can be here for a long time.’’
Giants CEO John Mara came through the postgame locker room and personally congratulated Bradshaw — who is under contract for next year — for his season.
“It could be the last ride for a lot of guys,” Bradshaw said. “We just wanted to have fun together. I can’t look back on anything and regret anything. This organization is the best in the business. Just the people around, the pride in the building, the heart of the game that these guys have, it’s top of the line.’’