Osi Umenyiora has lived in the Atlanta area for years. The Falcons, meanwhile, needed a pass rusher after last season. So it only made sense when the former New York Giants sacks leader signed with the Falcons in March.
“I’m excited about having Osi here,” said Falcons Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan. “One of the things I didn’t know about him … his leadership ability, which has shown up a good bit with our young players, has been outstanding.”
A veteran defensive end with one of the most effective speed rushing techniques in the game was exactly what Atlanta needed to replace John Abraham. Quarterbacks are the engines that drive NFL teams, and disrupting them has to be a major part of every team’s game plan. Umenyiora brings that to the Falcons as well as the all-important leadership ability about which Nolan spoke.
In his 10 years in the League, the Troy University product has 75 sacks in the regular season while also helping guide his former team, the Giants, to two Super Bowl championships. The two-time Pro Bowler led the NFC in sacks in 2005 and currently holds the Giants single-game sacks record with six. The London, England native also holds the NFL record for most forced fumbles in a season with 10, which he set in 2010.
Rushing the passer is an art in the NFL, and each sack artist has his own style. So what makes Umenyiora so difficult to handle?
“I think it’s just that speed and the change of direction,” said Falcons guard Mike Johnson. “Everybody knows he’s fast off the ball. It’s almost like blocking a receiver with his speed rushes. But you know on his third or fifth step he’s able to duck inside and get a rip move on you sometimes and that presents a lot of challenges for us.”
Despite Umenyiora’s pass-rushing prowess, one of his better attributes is his long tenure in the NFL and his leadership abilities. He has taken a lead in mentoring some of his younger teammates already, despite joining the team just two months prior to OTAs.
“Osi, from the very beginning, has taken some of the young guys underneath his wing, and not just the defensive linemen, but some other positions as well,” said Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith. “He’s one of the first guys here in the building, in terms of his workouts, and he’s taken some of those young guys with him.” Falcons Offensive Line coach Paul Dunn is glad his line is facing Umenyiora in practice instead of live action.
“His speed level is tremendous,” said Dunn. “We’ve blocked against Osi in our competitions with the Giants over the years. So I think our tackles … are realizing that it’s a little bit different speed with No. 90 coming off the edge. We’re fortunate he’s on our side, trust me, and we won’t have to deal with him during the regular season.”
Fellow defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux also had some good things to say about what his new teammate brings to the table.
“Osi has fit in very well since day one,” said Babineaux. “He’s come here to work, and you know he’s working every day to make sure that we gain his trust and, likewise, he’s got to gain our trust working with us.”
It’s obvious Umenyiora has been well-received since being signed by Atlanta. Conversely, Umenyiora is happy to be wearing the Red and Black.
“It feels good,” said Umenyiora. “My time in New York was outstanding, but it’s a new chapter in my life, I’m happy to be home with this franchise. I’m so happy to be here and I’m going to do everything to help this team win.”
The Falcons were 28th in sacks last season. With leading pass rusher Abraham no longer with the squad,Umenyiora’s role with Atlanta is pretty clear. After 10 years in New York, the veteran sack artist doesn’t foresee any problems getting acclimated to Nolan’s defensive system.
“It’s new, but at the same time, defense is defense,” said Umenyiora. “At the end of the day, it’s just called different things. All you have to do is make that transition from calling it one thing to calling it another thing. It’s different, but there are some similarities.”
With Umenyiora in the fold, the Falcons will embark on the 2013 season with a ton of promise. The offense improved by signing Steven Jackson, and Umenyiora’s presence on defense helps fill a huge void.
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