2011年8月15日星期一

Giants' Umenyiora returns, will play through disrespect

A somewhat miffed Osi Umenyiora is returning to the New York Giants without a new contract.

In an email to The Associated Press on Sunday evening, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end said he plans to practice today at training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., and that he will play this season under the terms of his current contract.

Umenyiora said the Giants offered to put incentives in his contact, which will pay him $7.1 million over the next two seasons, but he rejected them.

“No deal has been reworked,” Umenyiora said. “What has been offered has been unacceptable and shows they don’t really respect the fact I sacrifice my health for the franchise. I will play under my current deal because I love and respect my coaches, my teammates, the fans, and myself. Not for those incentives.”

The nine-year NFL veteran hasn’t practiced since reporting to training camp on July 30, a day late. He failed to report on time because he alleged that general manager Jerry Reese told him the team would rework his contract.

Reese has refused to discuss what was said between them.

CULPEPPER TRYOUT

Daunte Culpepper is the latest addition to the San Francisco 49ers’ stable of quarterbacks.

After practice Sunday, San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said the team is bringing in the 34-year-old Culpepper for a tryout today.

“We’re going to have Daunte in for a workout and kick the tires,” Harbaugh said. “I’m looking forward to that.”

Harbaugh said Saturday that the 49ers have no clear-cut starter at quarterback after veteran Alex Smith and rookie Colin Kaepernick both had shaky performances in San Francisco’s 24-3 loss to New Orleans in Friday’s exhibition opener.

Culpepper, the No. 11 pick in the 1999 draft, hasn’t played in the NFL since an eight-game stint with Detroit in 2009. He spent last season with the Sacramento Mountain Lions of the United Football League.

HASSELBECK’S TEMPO

Matt Hasselbeck’s new teammates are raving about how quickly the veteran quarterback works in practice, and now he and the Tennessee Titans have a glimpse of what their new offense might look like this season.

With the former Seahawks quarterback playing one series, the Titans moved quickly to the line of scrimmage and even flashed one play without a huddle in Saturday night’s 14-3 exhibition victory over Minnesota.

“We think we’re just getting more plays offensively. It’s an advantage for the offense,” coach Mike Munchak said Sunday.

EXTRA POINTS

Saints cornerback Tracy Porter returned to practice for the first time since training camp opened and says his surgically repaired left knee isn’t bothering him. Also at practice were receivers Marques Colston and Robert Meachem. … Kicker Shayne Graham was cut by the Redskins, two days after he shanked a 29-yard field goal attempt and also missed a 49-yarder against the Steelers.

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