Buck up Giants...pay Osi already!

The New York Football Giants have taken a bit of a hit lately letting key free agents - namely Steve Smith and Kevin Boss - walk without really showing any public interest in retaining their talents. Now, and leading into training camp, star defensive end Osi Umenyiora is still holding out waiting for the team to stand by their word and make him on par, salary wise, with other top DEs in the league. Umenyiora had a great 2010 season after spending much of the previous year battling injuries. The Giants have some depth on the d-line but need the leadership and emotion of Umenyiora. The team reportedly made Umenyiora an offer that he will surely refuse. It is an incentive-based contract with a low guarantee. Fans are grumbling the team isn't doing enough but, that's always the case in New York. And, now they are about to lose their best defensive player. Why? The GM, Jerry Reese, defended his actions and called this team is a playoff team. Yes, Umenyiora is under contract. But, are contracts really worth anything in the NFL? No, a team can release a player on a whim to save a few bucks and not have to fulfill the remainder of the deal. For fired coaches, they still get paid (unless there is a buyout) the term of their deals. Why not give a veteran, star, fan-favorite, locker room leader a deal that will make him/fans/teammates happy?