Osi has immediate impact upon return
Photo credit: Freelance/photo by Joe Rogate | EAST RUTHERFORD NEW JERSEY SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2009.
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Sept. 13: Giants 23, Redskins 17
Osi Umenyiora didn't have any emotional reaction to playing his first real, NFL game since Super Bowl XLII. He saved it for the game-changing play he had.
Umenyiora stripped Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell, scooped up the ball and ran 37 yards for a touchdown with 2:11 left in the first half Sunday. The score, Umenyiora's third career TD, made it 17-0, and the Giants needed that score in their 23-17 win.
"It was a big play," said Umenyiora. "I'm just happy I was able to contribute."
>> See photos of the Giants' Week 1 victory over Washington
When the Redskins came to town a year ago for the opener, Umenyiora was sitting in his house in Atlanta, his left knee wrapped, crutches by his side. "I couldn't do anything but watch," he said.
Sunday, he was the one being watched. His teammates have kidded him about his inability to find the footballs he smacks from opposing quarterbacks' hands, but this strip, scoop and score was plenty similar to a 75-yard touchdown Umenyiora had on Oct. 22, 2007.
He knocked the ball from Trent Dilfer's hand that day, caught it in the air and raced for a score.
"It's a defensive end's dream," said Mathias Kiwanuka, who kept Randy Thomas at bay to allow Umenyiora into the end zone Sunday. "We've seen him in the preseason, in practice. We knew how he was going to come out and play."
Justin Tuck had 11/2 sacks and plenty of room to operate. Kiwanuka, playing on the opposite end, had some more room to operate. "Having him out there makes everyone's job easier," Kiwanuka said.
Umenyiora's play didn't just turn the tide of the game, coming just four plays after Eli Manning lost a fumble in Redskins territory, but it may have completely put Umenyiora's one-day walkout completely out of everyone's minds.
Umenyiora had left Giants Stadium on Sept. 1 after a dispute with first-year defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan. Sunday, Umenyiora helped dump a water bucket over Sheridan's head, then embracing his coordinator as the Giants left the field.
"It's big for him," Umenyiora said. "First-year defensive coordinator, lot of pressure on him, and he delivered. He called a great game."
If Umenyiora were feeling any of that pressure, he didn't let on. From the first play, he said his mind was pretty . . . well, blank.
"Just birds chirping," he said with a smile. "I try not to think about too much when I'm out there."
Tuck said Umenyiora should be thinking more about those fumbles.
"He's the prettiest D-lineman out there. He never wants to get his uniform dirty," Tuck joked.
"I've probably left seven or eight of those on the table," Umenyiora said. "I'm going to have to start looking for the ball every time I knock it out."
One was more than enough Sunday to make it a successful return for Umenyiora, and a successful day for his team.
>> See photos of the Giants' Week 1 victory over Washington
