Strahan considering coming back? Reported on ESPN (1 Viewer)

[Sweet Love]

Reports: Strahan would consider returning, Giants open to idea

ESPN.com news services

Updated: August 25, 2008, 9:00 AM ET

Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan would consider returning to the team in the wake of Osi Umenyiora's season-ending knee injury, the New York Daily News has reported, citing an unnamed source.

According to the paper, Strahan, 36, who retired in the offseason after helping lead the Giants to a Super Bowl championship, would come back with the Giants if offered an $8 million contract for this season, according to a source close to the seven-time Pro Bowler.

"If the Giants make a sincere overture, it's a good chance that Strahan would consider coming back," the source said, according to the Daily News. "There are other things he has to take into consideration: the money and his contract with Fox."

Strahan currently holds a position at Fox Sports as an NFL studio analyst.

"But if the Giants really want him, they have a shot," the source said. "It's not out of the question."

The Giants appear open to the idea.

Co-owner Steve Tisch told the New York Post the Giants have warmed to the idea.

"Would I like Michael to be a New York Giant this season? Absolutely. Absolutely," Tisch told the Post. "Will he be? I have no idea. I don't even want to put a percentage on it but things changed very quickly [saturday] night and if one of the potential solutions is to reach out to Michael, worst-case, it's certainly worth a phone call.''

Strahan was in Greece on vacation Sunday when he heard the extent of Umenyiora's injury, the Daily News reported.

Strahan wouldn't confirm the possibility of returning in an interview with the NFL Network.

"I haven't heard from anybody else, so to say if I would or wouldn't is premature," Strahan said. "So I'm enjoying my retired life right now."

Coach Tom Coughlin said the team is considering all its options.

Strahan retired in June, ending a 15-year career highlighted by the Giants' stunning Super Bowl victory over the unbeaten New England Patriots.

Coughlin recently talked with Strahan about his new career working on Fox's pregame NFL show on Sundays.

"The only thing I talked with Michael about was his new challenge, moving forward in his new assignment and he was very excited about that," Coughlin said, according to The Associated Press.

Agent Tony Agnone said the Giants have not contacted him to ask about Strahan.

"Obviously, he loves the Giants and obviously he is working for Fox," Agnone said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Right now he is relaxing and getting ready for his Fox gig."

Strahan missed all of training camp last season while mulling retirement. He reported to the team a little more than a week before the season opener and played well.

However, he trained while thinking about retirement last year and was in good shape.

The Giants open the season on Sept. 4 against the Washington Redskins.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

 

[KellysHeroes]

Come on... this is Strahan were talking about. The Gmen are going to play to his wallet and his Ego... Mike is coming to come back and be the hero for the day.

 

[oddball]

I love how it says "the giants are open to the idea"

Ya think?

 

[Payne]

This was the first thing I thought of when hearing Osi was done for the season.

Who isn't surprised by this?

 

[Sweet Love]

Personally, I always thought that Strahan would be open to playing...just not attending training camp. This works out best for everyone...he will get his big pay day and not have to go through TC, the Giants find a good replacement for Osi.

 

[Avery]

According the the Daily News, "Talks underway between Giants and retired DE Michael Strahan".

 

[T Bell]

Why not just have Kiwanuka move from OLB to his natural DE position?

 

[Bri]

If the season coming up didn't get him antsy, his buddy Favre in NY had me sure he'd come back.

Osi's injury(the need for him, not someone getting hurt) makes for the perfect scenario. Although, the Gmen actually getting an OLB and not playing Kiwi out of position might be a good idea.

There's gotta be tons of fans today saying how they knew Favre and Strahan wouldn't stay retired

 

[Avery]

Why not just have Kiwanuka move from OLB to his natural DE position?

They already did.I linked to it in the Osi thread.Although Kiwi was never going to be a traditional OLB. He was going to play a hybrid role sometimes with his hand on the ground and sometimes off the line of scrimmage. It is not a black and white issue.Also, I am confident that Kiwi will do very well as a pass rushing DE.One thing they loose in loosing Osi is a DE who is stout against the run as well. Strahan would really help there.

 

[T Bell]

Why not just have Kiwanuka move from OLB to his natural DE position?

They already did.I linked to it in the Osi thread.Although Kiwi was never going to be a traditional OLB. He was going to play a hybrid role sometimes with his hand on the ground and sometimes off the line of scrimmage. It is not a black and white issue.Also, I am confident that Kiwi will do very well as a pass rushing DE.One thing they loose in loosing Osi is a DE who is stout against the run as well. Strahan would really help there.

Fair enough. What has Strahan done to keep himself in shape for the last 6~7 months while he was retired?

 

[Avery]

Why not just have Kiwanuka move from OLB to his natural DE position?

They already did.I linked to it in the Osi thread.Although Kiwi was never going to be a traditional OLB. He was going to play a hybrid role sometimes with his hand on the ground and sometimes off the line of scrimmage. It is not a black and white issue.Also, I am confident that Kiwi will do very well as a pass rushing DE.One thing they loose in loosing Osi is a DE who is stout against the run as well. Strahan would really help there.

Fair enough. What has Strahan done to keep himself in shape for the last 6~7 months while he was retired?

Don't know. Maybe/probably not much.He had to play his way into shape last year after holding out most of training camp. I'm sure he can do it again and start with some limited snaps for the first few weeks.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

He's staying retired. I frankly he was actually just being polite saying he'd consider it.

""This has been one of the toughest nights of my life," Strahan said from Greece. "But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it's just best if I stay retired." You can downgrade the Giants defense in draft a few spots with this news. They still should be decent rushing the passer. Aug. 26 - 5:59 pm et

 

[red]

Strahan turns down offer

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports retired DE Michael Strahan has decided to turn down the New York Giants' offer to play this season. "This has been one of the toughest nights of my life. But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it's just best if I stay retired. I have gone back and forth on this because as a player you'll always want to play, you'll never lose that urge to be out there. But I could only do this if I could commit 100 percent, physically, mentally, emotionally and I can't do that. I've tried to convince myself and my body to give it one more year, but in the end I just don't think I could turn it on like I need to again," Strahan said.

 

[PewterFan]

Hey Favre, this is how you do it.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Jay Glazer

this year.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Jay Glazer

this year.

Having said that... maybe the Giants can up the offer.

 

[Mystery Achiever]

[Having said that... maybe the Giants can up the offer.

Why would he consider coming back? If he needed the money (I know a big deal is made of his divorce settlement), he'd have stayed. He went oout on top with a Superbowl win. He's got a good new job. He's probably not in football shape. If he comes back, he'll have a ton of pressure on him. Where's the upside?

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Where's the upside?

He really does enjoy playing the game of football. And if the team is willing to cater to him...

 

[Mystery Achiever]

Where's the upside?

He really does enjoy playing the game of football. And if the team is willing to cater to him...

see benny beaver's post.

 

[Avery]

Strahan turns down offer

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports retired DE Michael Strahan has decided to turn down the New York Giants' offer to play this season. "This has been one of the toughest nights of my life. But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it's just best if I stay retired. I have gone back and forth on this because as a player you'll always want to play, you'll never lose that urge to be out there. But I could only do this if I could commit 100 percent, physically, mentally, emotionally and I can't do that. I've tried to convince myself and my body to give it one more year, but in the end I just don't think I could turn it on like I need to again," Strahan said.

Glazer is a reliable source.FWIW, here's an interesting incentive fro Strahan to stay retired regarding an appeals court ruling on Strahan's divorce settlement:

The appeals court ruled that Strahan doesn’t need to get a multi-million dollar disability insurance policy because he is retired. If Strahan un-retires, as the Giants want him to do in the wake of Osi Umenyiora’s season-ending injury, that issue could be re-opened. The cost of a disability policy would likely be extremely high, especially for a player Strahan’s age.