NFL

New Falcons DE Osi says he and Giants GM ended on good terms

On the day he was introduced in Atlanta as the newest member of the Falcons, Osi Umenyiora looked back on his misunderstood relationship with Giants general manager Jerry Reese.

Reese once called Umenyiora one of his favorite NFL players, but it was also Reese who repeatedly rebuffed the defensive end’s pleas for a new contract. Reese knew once Umenyiora hit the open market this offseason for the first time in his career, he would find more money elsewhere, signaling the end of the two-time All-Pro’s 10-year stay with the Giants.

“We’ve always been cool,’’ Umenyiora said Thursday at his introductory press conference. “Jerry’s my guy. Obviously if it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t even be here because obviously the [Falcons] did a comprehensive amount of research on me and my background because of some of the things that have been reported, and they wanted to know what type of person I was. So obviously they had to talk to Jerry Reese as well as my coach, and they had nothing but positive things to say.

“As a matter of fact, I talked to Jerry [Wednesday]. I called him in the morning. Me and him had a great conversation. I look forward to continuing my relationship with him whenever football is over.”

The Falcons are banking on the 31-year old Umenyiora’s football career being far from over, as he signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract — with a maximum value of $12 million — to replace defensive end John Abraham, who was released to save money on the salary cap. Despite winning two Super Bowls with the Giants, Umenyiora called the Falcons “the most talented team that I’ve probably seen in my life’’ and admitted his playing time with the Giants the past few years was not enough to suit him.

“Statistically, that definitely played a role [in the drop in production],’’ said Umenyiora, who had six sacks in 16 games last season. “You’re only going to be able to produce as much as you’re out there on the football field. I wasn’t able to be out there on the football field as much as I’ve been accustomed to. But in the same respect it was setting me up for the situation here, come in here and help this team. I have a lot less wear and tear on my body than I normally would’’

This change, Umenyiora said, is going from “one great organization straight to another great organization’’ and he sees his championship experience helping the Falcons take the final step.

“I wanted to help push this team over the proverbial edge if I can,” said Umenyiora, who lives in Atlanta and said his son grew up a Falcons fan. “I wouldn’t even allow myself to dream this big. It was almost too good to be true. … I’m just happy to be in this situation, and I’m going to give my heart to this city.”

* Running back Tim Hightower will visit the Giants this weekend. The former Cardinals and Redskins running back did not play in the NFL in 2012 after tearing his left ACL in October of 2011. … Former Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw was in Pittsburgh for a physical. The Steelers decided not to sign him at this time. … The Giants’ offseason program starts April 15, the first OTA is May 22, mandatory mini-camp is June 11-13. … Former Giants safety Shaun Williams has been elevated to the full-time position of defensive coordinator at William Paterson. Williams, who played for the Giants from 1998-2005, spent the past four years as a part-time assistant at the school.