Osi Umenyiora continues to let his play speak for itself.
While that’s a fine-worthy violation of the NFL’s official media policy, which requires every player in the league to speak at least once during the practice week, the Giants’ veteran defensive end doesn’t seem to care.
That might be because Umenyiora is too busy terrorizing opposing quarterbacks and ballcarriers at a staggering pace, doubling as a big reason for the Giants’ 4-2 start.
Less than a full season removed from being demoted to second team, demanding a trade and talking about retirement, Umenyiora has reclaimed his spot among the league’s top defensive playmakers heading into Monday night’s NFC East matchup at the rival Cowboys.
Talk about a comeback: Umenyiora is second in the NFL with eight sacks (just one-half sack behind leader Clay Matthews of the Packers) and six forced fumbles in just six games.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” teammate Chris Canty said of Umenyiora’s revival. “I don’t know if this guy has a cape on or something. We’re trying to figure out ways as other defensive linemen to slow him down so we can get some sacks.”
A return to relatively decent health and first-year defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s aggressive schemes appear to be the driving forces behind Umenyiora’s resurgence, but Fewell refuses to take any credit.
“He’s just playing the game,” Fewell said yesterday when asked to explain the turnaround.
Aside from a winter sitdown with Giants coach Tom Coughlin after Umenyiora made his displeasure and demands known, Fewell said no verbal prodding of the proud, headstrong player was needed after Fewell took over for the fired Bill Sheridan.
“Nope,” Fewell said. “Osi has been professional from Day 1 [of Fewell’s tenure]. He’s just playing the game.”
Umenyiora’s turnabout to his two-time Pro Bowl form can be pinpointed to the same game that sparked Coughlin’s entire team — the 17-3 suffocation of the Bears at New Meadowlands Stadium three weeks ago that looked more like a jailbreak by the Giants’ defensive line.
Fewell’s defense erupted for 10 sacks that night, including an NFL-record nine in the first half, and Umenyiora led the charge with three sacks to go along with two forced fumbles.
Umenyiora added two sacks and two forced fumbles in each of the Giants’ two subsequent wins over the Texans and Lions, but the Cowboys could pose an unexpectedly stiff challenge to his hot streak.
Despite a 1-4 start, Dallas’ much-maligned offensive line has allowed Tony Romo to be sacked just seven times in five games. Romo wasn’t sacked at all last week by the Vikings, and six of the Cowboys’ seven sacks allowed came in one game — two weeks ago against the Titans.
But Dallas also enters Monday with Romo nursing a sore thumb on his left (non-throwing) hand and with starting guard Kyle Kosier seemingly doubtful to play because of an ankle injury.
The table could be set for another big-time performance under the primetime lights by Umenyiora, who seems to have made that a career trademark.
Suddenly, his 2009 nightmare seems like a long, long time ago.
“He’s just made a commitment to be the best football player that he can be this season, and he’s playing lights out,” Fewell said. “Osi is a leader in his own way, and he’s showing his leadership qualities and doing some great things out there.
“I’m enjoying watching him display his talent.”
Just don’t expect Umenyiora to talk about it.