At the start of the week, the Giants gave Osi Umenyiora permission to seek a trade but have since reneged on their decision. That has reportedly left the defensive end “fuming,” so it’s unclear what the next step is in this ongoing drama.

But if he is eventually traded, here are five potential landing spots for Umenyiora, and why they may or may not be a fit for the 29-year-old.

1. Seattle Seahawks
ESPN’s John Clayton has already reported that Umenyiora wants to go to Seattle, so maybe if the Giants came down from their asking price of a first-round pick then he’ll get his wish. Perhaps the biggest weakness on Seattle’s defense is its cornerbacks, so it would be wise for Pistol Pete to load up on pass-rushers. That said, linebacker is a potential weakness as well so much like the Rams, the Hawks may not want to part with a future pick in order to address a position that’s not a huge need.

2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos won’t, nor should, give up a first round pick to acquire Umenyiora. They’re a rebuilding team and rebuilding teams don’t need to part with first round picks in exchange for soon-to-be 30-year-old defensive ends (even when they’re as good as Umenyiora). That said, if the Broncos could acquire him for a third round selection (I’m not saying they could), he would certainly be worth the price. Denver doesn’t know how quickly Elvis Dumervil will make an impact after missing all of 2010 with a pectoral injury and former first round pick Robert Ayers may not develop like the Broncos hope. There’s no doubt that Denver’s defense could use Umenyiora (what defense couldn’t?), but at what price?

3. St. Louis Rams
The Rams are the most logical fit for Umenyiora because his former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is the head coach. Under Spagnuolo’s guidance in 2007, Umenyiora racked up 13 sacks and a career-high five forced fumbles as the Giants went on to ruin the Patriots’ undefeated season. The problem is that the Rams have already invested first round selections in Chris Long and Robert Quinn, and James Hall is coming off an 11-sack season. While teams can never have too many quality pass-rushers, the Rams might not be willing to sacrifice a second or third-round pick to acquire Umenyiora when they have more pressing needs to address (i.e. defensive tackle).

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A month ago, Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora was demoted from a starter to a pass-rush specialist following New York’s loss to the Broncos on Thanksgiving night. Yesterday, he played in only a handful of snaps in the Giants’ embarrassing 41-9 loss to the Panthers in East Rutherford.

All of this has left Umenyiora pondering his future in New York, and his comments following the loss to Carolina indicates that he won’t be a Giant past this season.

From the Newark Star Ledger:

“What did I play, five snaps today?” said Umenyiora. “I don’t know, I don’t know what happened. I thought I was the problem.

“It’s an unbelievable situation, man. Last game at Giants Stadium, probably as a Giant, just the way everything has unfolded has been unbelievable.”

Unless Umenyiora knows something about the team’s plans to deactivate him next week, Sunday was not his final game as a Giant.

But perhaps he meant it would be his final home game, which means he’s anticipating a trade, his release or a holdout on his part until he gets one of the first two. Umenyiora is signed through the 2012 season, so the Giants probably don’t plan on cutting him loose without any compensation.

Unless he forces their hand.

“I couldn’t really explain what I’m feeling right now. Disappointment is an understatement, in everything,” the two-time Pro Bowl selection said. “The way everything has played out this year has been absolute nonsense; very disappointed, disheartened, discouraged, whatever you want to call it. I feel all those emotions.”

If Umenyiora wants to stay with the Giants, then he, along with many fans, would love to see the team show defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan the door. Sheridan has been a disaster since taking over for former coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who is now the head coach of the Rams. His schemes don’t allow for Umenyiora and the rest of the Giants’ talented defensive ends to rush the passer as much as they did under Spagnuolo. Sheridan will often drop his ends into coverage, which doesn’t (and hasn’t) take advantage of their pass-rush capabilities.

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