NFL

Osi’s contract not primary concern for Giants

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Osi Umenyiora not only thinks the Giants can repeat, but wants to be part of pulling it off.

Although it might have been the emotion of the moment talking, the Giants’ veteran defensive end stated an uncharacteristically strong desire to remain in blue after the adulation of the parade and MetLife Stadium rally yesterday.

As some of the estimated 45,000 fans at the stadium rally chanted “One more year!” at him yesterday, Umenyiora sounded as if a renewed trade demand was the least of his intentions.

Asked if he wanted to be back with the Giants, Umenyiora said: “Of course! I mean, look at this! We can win again!”

Upset for months about the team’s refusal to redo what he deems a below-market-value contract, Umenyiora had been noncommittal about his future as recently as the aftermath of the Giants’ Super Bowl XLVI win on Sunday.

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At issue is the $3.975 million he is scheduled to receive in the final year of the eight-year, $33.9 million deal the Giants handed him in 2005 — a deal that now looks far below market value in light of Umenyiora’s production and rich free-agent contracts given to other premier pass rushers around the league.

Working against Umenyiora getting a big raise: He turned 30 in November and was reduced late in the season to a backup role by injuries and the emergence of pass-rush monster Jason Pierre-Paul.

The Giants also seem unlikely to make a Umenyiora a priority, despite nine sacks in just nine games in the regular season, because of the team’s salary-cap situation.

Big Blue’s 2012 payroll is already projected at $124.7 million, which would be above the anticipated $124 million cap and does not include the $5 million the team is required to set aside to sign its draft class. They also have 22 scheduled free agents.

Hard decisions will have to be made, and it’s difficult to see the Giants’ first item of business being a big raise for a 30-year old backup.

“I don’t know what my chances are [of returning are],” Umenyiora said. “You’ll have to ask [the Giants] that. I’m still under contract here, so at the end of the day, they’re going to have to make that decision.

“I understand it’s a business, though.”

Giants general manger Jerry Reese seemed to indicate before the Super Bowl that keeping Umenyiora at a salary number the player finds acceptable might not be in the cards.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Reese said last week.

Whatever happens, Umenyiora doesn’t sound as if he’s going to sweat the situation anytime soon.

“We’re going to enjoy this one, we’re going to love every minute, then business will take care of itself later,” he said. “There ain’t no calming down — I’m partying for a month straight.”