Buzzmaster

  (4:01 PM)

Hey everyone Osi will be joining us soon, so send in your questions!

Buzzmaster

  (4:11 PM)

Osi has been a little delayed, but we will try and get this chat going ASAP!

Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)

Call a holding penalty on the offensive lineman keeping him from getting here.

Buzzmaster

  (4:15 PM)

I wish I had that authority Lane!

Kenny (Miami)

He's as late as the Giants pass rush was this year!

Buzzmaster

  (4:16 PM)

Ouch Kenny, ouch.

Lane (Kukuihaele, HI)

Osi, the Giants just hired Steve Spagnuolo to be the new DC. Do you know him? What are your thoughts about this hiring?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:22 PM)

I don't know him, but I know he was with the Eagles, so we will probably be running something very similar to the Eagles defensive system.

Kev (NYC)

Hey osi, huge fan. I was curious if you think Tiki's early retirement will have an adverse effect on his legacy?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:23 PM)

Absolutely not. I think the career path he has chosen is great for him. He had a great career so I don't believe it will be tarnished by his early retirement.

John (CT)

Who is the toughest tackle you face year in and year out?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:24 PM)

Tre Thomas in Philly. He has been my toughest opponent so far in my career.

ben albany ny

hey man I just wanted to thank you for autographing your jersey for me last training camp...also just wondering if youd be comfortable beefing up to like 270...do you think it would hurt your speed or agility?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:25 PM)

You don't have to be 270 to play DE; I think that is a misconception. So no, I don't think I would do it, because it would hurt my speed and agility.

Andrew (NYG)

How would you rate your fellow D-Liner Kiwanuka's first year and how good do you think he can be when he replaces Strahan in a couple of years?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:26 PM)

I think he had a very good rookie year. He has all the tools, so he should be a very good DE in the league. He may be the one, however, that may need to add a little size.

Dave (Sparta, NJ)

Why is it that the Giants have been destroyed by injuries the past four seasons (even the year before you turned pro the Giants had a lot of injuries)? Is it bad luck, poor training practices, or coaches over-working you guys? I feel like the defense especially can't stay healthy. P.S.- I want a Super Bowl win next season.

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:27 PM)

I think that is a good question. But I would have to say bad luck, because we have been under different strength coaches, so it is not coaching. Yeah I would have to say bad luck.

Marc, Atlanta

What do you think about the roughing the passer penalties being called this year? It had a direct impact on a game with Kiwanuka's near sack.

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:28 PM)

I don't even want to get started on that issue. They protect the QBs so much in this league, you can barely touch them. They need to come up with a healthy medium this offseason, because right now the rule is influencing games too much.

Steven (Bronx)

There is a lot said in the media about the teams relationship with Tom Coughlin. Is the teams relationship with the coach that bad? I guess what I'm trying to ask is if players like him.

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:29 PM)

I think they like him. I don't have a problem with him. Things really are not as bad as the NY media likes to make it out to be. We don't have that much contact with coach, we spend more time with the coordinators.

BARRY/ MYRTLE BEACH SC

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LOSING TIM LEWIS?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:31 PM)

I feel mixed emotions, because I played well in his system. But a lot of the players may have had a problem with him on a personal level. At the same time, there were a lot of things he couldn't control this season, such as players missing tackles and other mistakes we made.

jay4121 sacto, ca

hey osi, you have played against both teams this year. who will have the edge in the superbowl

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:32 PM)

Indianapolis, I say they win by 10.

Jim (LA)

How tough is it dealing with the NY media on a daily basis?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:32 PM)

I don't talk to them. I stopped this year, and I'm not sure if I will deal with them next year.

John (Charleston, SC)

Osi - how has playing opposite Michael Strahan helped you develop professionally? You two are the most imposing ends in the NFL when healthy.

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:33 PM)

I think Strahan commands so much respect that having him on the field makes my life so much easier.

Ro - Tampa

How did your injury to your hip effect your play. Watching the games you seemed to be in pain most of the time. What is the plan to get your hip back to 100%

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:35 PM)

I actually had a torn hip flexor, so it will heal on its own; it just needs time to heal. I could have surgery but that would delay things even more. I don't know if it affected my play that much, but it did take half a step from me.

Paul Cantillana (Jackson Heights)

Who is the strongest Giant pound for pound?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:35 PM)

Visanthe Shiancoe, one of our TEs.

Jim (LA)

How do you feel about guys like Shawn Merriman taking steroids?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:37 PM)

I'm not going to knock him for it, but I don't think it is something you should do. I don't think it should be allowed. I just got tested a few days ago. And I just think it is a bad risk to take.

Bill (NY)

Do you and your teammates give J-Load a hard time for being so fit?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:38 PM)

No man. J is so cool we just leave him alone. We don't need him to be a supermodel, because he can throw the ball so well!

mo (ny)

hey osi im a huge giant fan and ur my favorite player...whats your opinion on tom coughlin's contract extension

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:39 PM)

I think it was a good move. He has brought us to the playoffs 2 out of 3 years. Only in NY would this be an issue.

Tom (NJ)

Osi, obviously Brandon Jacobs was a force on short yardage and goal line situations this year but do you guys feel he can carry the load as a full time back next year or is the team looking to pick up someone else to split the load? GO BIG BLUE!

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:41 PM)

Brandon is a beast, so I think you can give him the ball 20-25 times a game, because he will beat up on guys. And he is really, really fast too; I raced him once, and I wont tell you who won, but I will tell you he is really fast.

Danny (NY)

What is your biggest goal in the offseason?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:42 PM)

This offseason I think I'm going to try and get a new move...maybe the Freeney spin move.

Widmer (Portland, OR)

How big of a year will next year be for Eli?

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:43 PM)

Eli is going to have his best year as a pro next year, he is going to have to. This is going to be his fourth year, so he has the experience to do well.

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:45 PM)

Thanks for all your questions guys! I have to run, but before I go, I just want to let you all know that the Giants will be back next year!

Osi Umenyiora

  (4:45 PM)

See ya!