Former New York Giant Defensive End Osi Umenyiora is ready for a fresh start in Atlanta.
Umenyiora, a member of both the 2008 and 2012 New York Giant Super Bowl Championship teams, is looking to bring some of his Super Bowl experience to the Atlanta Falcons and help them achieve the ultimate goal.
At a press conference on Thursday, Umenyiora exclaimed his excitement about the opportunity to be in Atlanta.
"I wouldn't even allow myself to dream this big," he said. "It was almost too good to be true. ... I'm just happy to be in this situation, and I'm going to give my heart to this city," he said in at a press conference in Flowery Branch, Georgia at Falcons headquarters.
Umenyiora hopes help bring a championship to Atlanta, a place he has lived for the past 14 years.
"I wanted to help push this team over the proverbial edge if I can,” he said. “This is a situation where I feel I can really come in here and help this football team It had nothing to do with money. I just want to go out there and perform at the high level I know I'm capable of."
The Falcons came up just four points short in the NFC championship game last season.
Umenyiora remains in the NFC and will mostly face his former team next season. With other options at the defensive end position such as Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre Paul, the Giants were not willing to give Umenyiora the money he sought. The Falcons on the other hand, gave Umenyiora $8.5 million over two years with the potential for $12 million.
Despite the fallout with the Giants, Umenyiora said he understood the situation in New York and is ready to do big things in Atlanta.
"I'm a guy of tremendous pride, and I would have liked to be on the field more, but it is what it is," he said. "They had three or four great pass rushers. I'm just fortunate to come here."
