Impending free agent pass rusher Osi Umenyiora has waited 10 years to hit the open market, and he plans to make the most of the opportunity.
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Appearing on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access" on Friday night, Umenyiora put forth a lofty goal while making it clear that his options won't be limited to signing with a playoff contender.
"It wouldn't have to be a playoff team," Umenyiora said. "It could be anybody pretty much anybody who would need me to help them win, and anybody who I think is going to put me in a situation to win Defensive Player of the Year, which is what I'm going to do this year."
Asked to repeat the bold prediction, Umenyiora demurred while grinning. Perhaps the realization set in that he had just left himself out on a shaky limb.
While the 31-year-old defensive end is open to returning to the New York Giants, he left no doubt that money and increased opportunity will be at the top of his list of priorities.
"My phone is on. I'm not turning my phone off. I'm open to pretty much every situation right now," Umenyiora said. "Wherever puts me in the best situation to really go out there and showcase my skills and help them win, I think that's where I want to go."
Umenyiora will enter free agency as Around The League's No. 6 pass rusher available. Teams that could offer him the chance to excel in 2013 include the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as the Denver Broncos if Elvis Dumervil continues to balk at a pay cut.
Follow Chris Wesseling on Twitter @ChrisWesseling.
