clambake
08-24-2008, 03:07 PM
Posted: August 24, 2008
Paul Schwartz
Sporting News correspondent
The Giants' worst-case scenario has come true. An MRI revealed damage to the medial collateral ligament in Osi Umenyiora's left knee, and the star defensive end will miss the entire 2008 season, according to Sporting News correspondent Paul Schwartz.
Umenyiora was carted off the field after injuring the knee during the second quarter of the Giants' preseason game against the Jets on Saturday night.
The news is a huge blow to the Giants. Umenyiora, 26, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and led the team in sacks each of the past three seasons, supplanting retired Michael Strahan as the Giants' premier pass rusher. Umenyiora had 13 sacks last season.
The most logical option to replace Umenyiora is Mathias Kiwaunka, a natural defensive end who was moved to strongside linebacker last season in order to get him into the starting lineup. Kiwanuka was drafted out of Boston College as a defensive end and plays on the line at end in the nickel package. He has said previously that converting back to end would require little or no adjustment.
Paul Schwartz
Sporting News correspondent
The Giants' worst-case scenario has come true. An MRI revealed damage to the medial collateral ligament in Osi Umenyiora's left knee, and the star defensive end will miss the entire 2008 season, according to Sporting News correspondent Paul Schwartz.
Umenyiora was carted off the field after injuring the knee during the second quarter of the Giants' preseason game against the Jets on Saturday night.
The news is a huge blow to the Giants. Umenyiora, 26, is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and led the team in sacks each of the past three seasons, supplanting retired Michael Strahan as the Giants' premier pass rusher. Umenyiora had 13 sacks last season.
The most logical option to replace Umenyiora is Mathias Kiwaunka, a natural defensive end who was moved to strongside linebacker last season in order to get him into the starting lineup. Kiwanuka was drafted out of Boston College as a defensive end and plays on the line at end in the nickel package. He has said previously that converting back to end would require little or no adjustment.