The Giants wrapped up their minicamp portion of the offseason on Thursday with the next stop being the commencement of training camp on July 26.

During the gap in activities, however, head coach Tom Coughlin doesn’t want his team to stray too far from a football mentality, even though the new collective bargaining agreement (OTA) forbids any more team-related activities until the start of camp.

“I told them all the essentials, to count the days until July 26. In this day and age it’s all about nutrition, rest and taking care of yourself,” Coughlin said. “It’s not like the old offseasons when you’d have 13 to 14 weeks [of rest]. We only had nine weeks this offseason. It’s hard to try to rest a little bit and then pick things back up. You wouldn’t be able to do that, so you have to stay ready.”

Coughlin allowed he has no qualms about his team returning to camp not ready to go, as he praised his roster for being complete professionals — even his rookies.

“There were some positives to take away in that we had a chance to get everyone back together again after three and a half months [off] and go through a regimented program, all voluntary, which everyone was here with the exception of two guys,” Coughlin said. “We made some progress, especially with some of the young players. … They have a lot to learn, because the more you throw at them, the more difficult it is for them. But they’re working at it, so I don’t have any complaints about that. They’re a very [mature] group. And not just the rookies, but the free agents we signed, too.”

Among the notable players and units that impressed Coughlin the most were his linebackers. Gone are venerable names like Michael Boley and Chase Blackburn, and in step newcomers Dan Conner, Aaron Curry and Kyle Bosworth, and rising young veterans Mark Herzlich, Jacquian Williams and Spencer Paysinger. Veteran Keith Rivers is the only holdover with at least six starts last season.

“They’ve actually had a good spring. They’re very unselfish. They work hard and study hard,” Coughlin said. “The thing about them, if I call for a one-hour meeting those guys are probably still in there for an hour-and-a-half to two. I’ve seen some growth and good things happen out here.”

Antrel Rolle admitted the team underachieved for whatever reason last season, but feels like the spring sessions have set the tone for what could be a special season. The veteran safety praised his team for their professionalism and the camaraderie they’ve built in such a short amount of time.

“I think the OTAs showed the team’s enthusiasm, the way we jelled and our chemistry as a team. And not just as a DB [defensive backs] unit or a defense, but as a whole collective team,” Rolle said. “I’m looking forward for that to continue, because with that comes a lot of other [positive] things.”

Big Blue notes …

» Coughlin was noncommittal about whether change could be on the way for recovering cornerback Terrell Thomas (ACL), but added he’d simply like to see the once-promising corner be cleared for action before making any decisions.

“I’m sure he’ll be limited [at the start of training camp], but he’s made good progress,” Coughlin said. “I’d like to see him just get the green light to go, and then we’ll decide where he can help us the best in that point in time.”

» Cornerback Prince Amukamara said he thinks Thomas will be an immediate help to a defensive backfield which struggled at inopportune times last season.

“[Thomas] can only help … because playing in the secondary is just about communication and knowing where your help is, because our defense is based a lot on communication,” Thomas said. “We emphasized getting on the same page so everyone knows their assignments.”

» Amukamara, who’s now a very solid 205 pounds — up from his customary weight of about 199 — added he has high expectations of himself this year.

“I really want to be the No. 1 corner on this team,” Amukamara said. “Right now Corey [Webster] is and my goal is to always just try to beat him out. And I think as soon as I establish myself as the No. 1 corner, then hopefully just become the No. 1 corner in the whole league. I know that’s going to take work, but guys that came out of my draft class are doing great — [Cardinals corner] Patrick Peterson and [Seahawks corner] Richard Sherman — and those are the guys I kind of compare myself to and I’m just trying to exceed all of them.”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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The Giants held another mandatory minicamp workout on Wednesday, but with much less fanfare now that all the healthy and able bodies — save for Victor Cruz — have been accounted for.

But for the players who are under contract and obligated to be at the facilities, this final phase of the offseason program was a chance to leave an impression on the coaching staff until the team reconvenes in late July.

Wideout Rueben Randle said he’s happy to be under the mandatory edict because now the 2013-14 season feels as if it’s real, as jobs and depth-chart status are on the line.

“It’s good to be back and have it this way [mandatory],” said Randle, who is battling to be the No. 3 wideout. “It’s starting to feel real now. Guys who are here are competing and fighting for spots, and getting their right frame of mind back.”

One of the prominent battles is at running back between second-year player David Wilson and veteran Andre Brown. Wilson, who was the Giants’ first-round pick last season, said it doesn’t really matter who is officially named the starter because both will be needed extensively this season.

“I’m not worried about the carries, or yards, or whatever stats. It doesn’t mean as much as winning games,” Wilson said. “What matters is us working together to make the running game effective and the passing game effective, because when you balance out the two you can win more games. … We definitely need to win more games because the Super Bowl is here this year, and that’s where I want to be.”

While it’s rare to see a starting running back double as the team’s ace return man, Wilson is also angling for that job.

“I definitely want to be a part of [kickoff return],” said Wilson. “That’s one of the parts of the game that I’ve liked the most since I started playing football and that was age 8. … Any way I can help the team I’m willing to do it.”

Doing whatever it takes to field a winning team was all Brown wanted to talk about as well. The four-year veteran was having a solid campaign last year before being put on the temporary injured-reserve list with a leg injury. He said that setback made him gain a greater appreciation for playing football after sitting out a major chunk of the season.

He also acknowledged that even at only 26 years old, he’s now the elder statesman in the running back’s meeting room, which means he needs to take on a larger leadership role.

“Being around Ahmad [Bradshaw] and Brandon [Jacobs} early in my career, they were leaders, and now being here I’m more of a vocal leader, so I have to take a step back [in disbelief] sometimes,” said Brown. “Those guys carried the leadership of the [running back’s] room, but now I’m the oldest guy in that room so I have to become more of a vocal leader and make sure those guys know the plays, protection and steps. I guess I’m finally maturing enough to be a more effective leader.”

Brown also offered that while it’d be great to be named the starter, he agreed with Wilson that the label won’t matter much since the duo will likely share the carries.

“We’re totally different backs, but I feel we complement each other well. I’m a big back who runs downhill and Dave is explosive and more a scat who can take it outside,” said Brown, who then laughed when trying to paraphrase a famous movie line from “The Karate Kid” to get his pointy across clearer. “Me, I’d rather sweep the knee. But I think we’re going to be a good 1-2 punch.”

Big Blue notes …

» It was an otherwise slow news day at the facilities, as most stars declined to talk with the media. But perhaps the highlight of the day came in the locker room as Pro Bowl safety Stevie Brown (Michigan) and cornerback Terrell Thomas (USC) carried on a spirited debate about which college was better. Thomas got the ball rolling when he noticed a small UM contingent around his locker that included Brown and a few scribes who are UM alums: “Don’t want no Michigan people around my locker,” Thomas quipped. “We’re not talking Michigan in these parts.” Brown then cracked about all the violations that USC racked up over the years, leading Thomas to laugh and say, “I got my ring still. I was even in a parade. I don’t know who gave back what, because I’ve got mine still.”

Thomas is coming back from a third torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, which has likely robbed him of his explosiveness. One remedy for him to still be a contributing member of the team is moving him to safety. Thomas said he’s perfectly fine with the switch if asked, because all he cares about is actually getting on the field again.

“I’m whatever they need me to be. I just want to play football,” Thomas said. “At this point in my career it’s all about getting healthy and getting on the field and contributing in any way. If that’s a leadership role, a safety role, nickel, corner, kickoff — I’ll do whatever I’ve got to do.”

Thomas has only been doing individual work at practice this spring, although he said he’s able to do “everything on the field.” He won’t get a chance to prove himself, though, until camp.”

» Not every starting position is up for grabs, obviously, but for the guys who are battling for key backup roles, now is the time to take these workouts slightly more serious than the previous voluntary gatherings. Veteran quarterback David Carr, who is battling fellow veteran Curtis Painter and rookie Ryan Nassib for the right to hold Eli Manning’s clipboard, said he’s mentally and spiritually in a “good place” at this particular time and is actually enjoying the competition — even if it ultimately means one of the aforementioned backups takes his cushy spot. Carr said he “doesn’t mind helping” Nassib, even if it ultimately means the kid could take his backup job.

“When you’re here 12 years you just see things differently,” Carr said. “It’s not a negative at all. I’m super happy for Ryan. I think he’s a great kid. I think that he’s going to have a great career and I’m going to do everything I can to make him a good football player. If it’s in the meeting room and experience wise, I’m going to do the same thing with Eli. [Helping] is not a negative at all.”

Carr admittedly said he was “selfish” upon coming out of Fresno State as the No. 1 overall pick by the Texans back in 2002, but time — and past failures — has helped him appreciate being in the league this long.

“There’s some good [quarterbacks] that don’t even have jobs … I’m blessed,” Carr said.

Carr was very transparent when discussing his immaturity as a hot-shot rookie. He noted that he “would’ve freaked out 10 years ago” had he been on a team that went out and drafted a rookie quarterback to battle him in camp.

Carr also said he had multiple offers to leave the Giants and at least compete for a starting job during free agency a couple seasons ago, but was happy to return and back up Manning, even though Manning never misses a snap:

“If I’m going to go on the field, I’d rather go on the field with the Super Bowl champions than a team I’m not sure about,” Carr said. “I’d rather be in a system that I’ve spent a good part of my career in, where I do feel like a coach on the field. I feel like I can come in and play and run the team from the line of scrimmage. It doesn’t take a lot of extra effort to get to that point from where I’m at right now. If I was going to another team and trying to learn another system, I’m too old for that. … I’ve been in too many bad situations.”

» Linebacker Mark Herzlich finds himself in a good situation as he’s in the midst of a battle for the starting middle linebacker position. Herzlich, who’s impressed the coaching staff during team drills, said he thinks he’s making a strong push to be the starter and hopes his veteran teammates feel the same.

“I feel like a starter. … A big part of feeling like a starter is people around you feeling like you’re a starter as well,” Herzlich said.

» Brown is an impatient man, and said he’s already looking past these minicamps and yearning for some real action.

“Obviously in OTAs you’re working and fine-tuning your craft right now, but I’m really anxious to getting some pads on and hitting somebody because there’s a lot of build-up for that. … It’s just tag right now,” Brown said. “They’re not really [hitting]. But we’ll start to build that chemistry in camp when we have pads on and [the offensive line] can align themselves and fire out and make real holes for us. Right now it’s just flag football.”

Wilson sounded just as anxious to seek contact.

“That’s the [main] area for a running back to break tackles and get yards after the contact but right now we’re just doing two-hand touch,” Wilson said. “But the thing now, we still have to finish our runs, no matter how many people touch or grab you. You need to still finish [running all the way down the field] so at least you’ll be in shape. You can try and simulate physical contact so when training camp starts you’ll be able to adjust.”

Wilson said despite the limited contact, he’s been putting in a lot of work on pass protection.

“I didn’t have too many opportunities last year to show that [pass-blocking] capability. But that’s an area that I need to show the coaches that I can handle,” Wilson said. “That’s an area any running back in the NFL needs to show that they can handle. But I’m taking steps towards that so I can be ready for the season.”

» Bradshaw signed with the Colts this week, but Wilson had nothing but praise and appreciation for the one season he spent as Bradshaw’s teammate.

“He left a great impression on us and we’ve got some big shoes to fill because he’s a tough running back and he did all the things necessary for the Giants to win games, winning two Super Bowls,” Wilson said.

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8 for live updates throughout minicamp.

The post Running back battle features prominently in Giants camp appeared first on Metro.us.

The Giants began their final phase of offseason workouts this week with wideout Hakeem Nicks making a triumphant return to the field.

Perhaps it was the fact that these workouts were mandatory, which means players under contract would be subject to fines for missing these gatherings, but Nicks was finally in attendance after missing the previous two voluntary minicamp sessions and tried to act as if nothing happened.

The veteran receiver was ready to leave the past right where it was and faultlessly report back to the team facilities, trying his hardest to gloss over the minor controversy that he created by abstaining from the workouts.

“I’m not here to talk about that,” Nicks said. “I’m here to talk about the [organized team activities]. I’m here and happy to be back with my teammates.”

Nicks, however, eventually showed some contrition for the distraction he might’ve caused a team that frowns upon sideshow antics.

“I never wanted to be detrimental in no kind of way to the organization because they’ve always been nothing but good to me,” said Nicks. “But as far as the distraction, the guys told me they didn’t feel as if it was too much of a distraction. I took care of what I needed to take care of and I’m here now, so that’s all that matters.”

He further admitted he should’ve been more forthright with head coach Tom Coughlin, who repeatedly acknowledged in prior OTA gatherings he had no idea why Nicks was absence.

Coughlin finally got the chance to talk to his star receiver, but didn’t reveal what was said in the meeting.

“We talked [and] we’ll talk again, [but] that’s between he and I,” said Coughlin, who added that Nicks’s time away has left him a step behind. “He got some work in today and that was good, [but] he’s definitely not in tune with where we are. We’ve had nine OTAs and we’ve thrown a lot at him. He’s just had one meeting. If he’s around, he’ll pick it up quick and he’ll get it fast. It will make a big difference once we get him here for some extended time, which this camp is not going to allow us. But at least he’s here and he’s working.”

The former University of North Carolina star said he was working out on his own back in North Carolina, rehabbing from his knee issues, and trying to get himself ready for July’s training camp.

Nicks, like Coughlin, wouldn’t delve into their conversation, but reasoned that all’s well and he’s now yearning to distance himself from the controversy.

“I feel where he was [coming] from. I could’ve done a better job reaching out. We finally got to talk and gotten things straightened out. Coach Coughlin, that’s my guy, so that relationship can’t go sour. I’m here now and he’s very excited to see me,” said Nicks, who then refused to address the speculation that his absence was contract related, or knee related. “I told y’all back in the spring that I’ll never talk about my contract through the media. … I’m healthy and the knee is feeling good. I’ll go upstairs and talk to coach Coughlin and the trainers later to see how much I can do and take it from there. My whole expectation is to be full-go by training camp [and] I don’t foresee any reason not to be there.”

Quarterback Eli Manning also doesn’t foresee any problems from Nicks’s publicized hiatus, adding the only time he even thought about his wideout not being there was when he’s asked by the media.

“That’s the only time [Nicks’s absence] is in my mind. I haven’t made it a big deal,” said Manning. “It should be good to have [Nicks] here and see what he can do and go out there and have a good practice. But I’m just trying to make sure I’m having great reps in practice and doing my job and whoever is out there on the field, [I’m] talking with them throughout the day, throughout the practice, and making sure we’re all getting better.”

Coughlin hopes Nicks and Manning do more than just talk between now and the start of training camp at the end of July.

“I would hope that they would do some work between now and then together so that they would make up for some lost time,” Coughlin said. “The one thing I did mention to [Nicks] is you’ve got to kind of go out in the backyard like you did when you were a kid with the quarterback and you guys get on the same page.”

Nicks said he’s excited to reacquaint himself with his quarterback, adding he’s getting better by the day. He also noted that he’s not that far behind, contrary to what Coughlin said, and feels that once he’s allowed to go full-bore he’ll step back into his role seamlessly.

“There was nothing too much new to me in this offense so it was just basically getting back into a routine with the offense,” Nicks said. “Everything is like clockwork with me in this offense.”

Big Blue notes …

» Nicks also talked about fellow starting wideout Victor Cruz, who’s in the midst of a contract squabble with the front office, though he did not say much.

“That’s his situation,” Nicks said. “I’ve talked to Cruz, though, and his mind’s in the right spot. He understands the business side of it, but he still loves his team and still wants to be here.”

» Nicks acknowledged that he spoke to general manager Jerry Reese about his situation upon his return and the relationship didn’t seem to suffer at all.

“Everybody was happy to see me,” Nicks said. “Nobody gave me a hard time because they knew where I was coming from. … From my point of view, he [Reese] was understanding.”

» Second-year wideout Rueben Randle said he benefited greatly from Nicks’s and Cruz’s absences since he saw a majority of the reps with the first unit, but added he was glad to see Nicks return.

“It’s very exciting and good to see Hakeem back because we all know what he can do. … As far as his situation goes, I can’t dwell on it too much,” Randle said. “I just had to focus on trying to build on this year for myself. I’m just trying to do the best I can regardless of the situation. Whether he was back or not I’m still trying to have a better year than I had last year.”

» Coughlin said defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has returned to the area following surgery in California last week to repair a herniated disc in his back.

“He’s in the process of getting to the point where he can do some things, and I know that probably for the first three or four weeks he’s not going to be doing much,” Coughlin said.

» Fullback Henry Hynoski, who recently had knee surgery, has been rehabilitating every day. Coughlin “hopes” to have his battering ram back in time for training camp, “just like I hope for JPP.”

» Guard Chris Snee and center David Baas, both of whom had offseason surgery, are continuing their rehabs and not working in minicamp. Coughlin expects them to be on the field for the start of training camp on July 26.

“That’s what I’m told, that they will be ready to go. I’m sure there will be some limitations,” Coughlin said. “It won’t be like what it is here. They’ll be able to work.”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8 for live updates from minicamp all week.

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The Giants are getting defensive during their organized team activities (OTAs), and it has nothing to do with the absences of their starting wideouts.

Star defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul will likely be out 12 weeks following back surgery, which means there’s a huge void to fill. And instead of testing the free-agent water for the likes of accomplished veterans like John Abraham, the Giants simply shifted Mathias Kiwanuka back to his natural defensive end position.

Kiwanuka, who started five games at strongside linebacker last season, is more than happy for his homecoming.

“I feel like I’m at home wherever I’m playing, so long as I’m out on the field. But having your hand in the ground and not having to worry about going from one position to another makes it more comfortable to be out there,” said Kiwanuka. “It’s no doubt in my mind [I can re-adjust]. This is the position I came into this league playing, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity. I’m ready to go. This is a move I’ve been looking forward to since talking to [general manager] Jerry [Reese] a while ago.”

Kiwanuka handled the switch to full-time linebacker last season with nothing but professionalism, which was to be expected, but after registering career lows in sacks (three) and solo tackles (22), the eight-year veteran is happy to leave the past in his rear-view mirror.

A versatile defender, Kiwanuka will be looked upon as the main replacement for Pierre-Paul, whose return to the lineup may not be in time for the Sept. 8 prime time showdown with the Cowboys. Kiwanuka relishes the challenge, although he isn’t thrilled that he’s back in the starting lineup due to an injured friend.

“Obviously we’d like to have him, but we’re not going to rush him back for any reason,” Kiwanuka said. “The younger guys are playing behind you, which I think is what makes you have to step up, because there are just some things that they haven’t seen yet.”

The other bookend on the defensive line is veteran Justin Tuck. And while the former Pro Bowler is disappointed he won’t be terrorizing opponents opposite Pierre-Paul, he’s confident Kiwanuka will fill that role.

“I know he’s excited about it. That’s where his heart is. This is his natural position. He’s going to be a sleeper because a lot of people tend to forget he’s a pretty good defensive end,” Tuck said. “He constantly talked about doing whatever the team needed him to do, going back and forth from linebacker to the line. But I know he’s happy about being back with us in that [defensive linemen] room. A lot of time it’s about what this team needs the most, so that tells you how versatile he is and also a lot about his character — even though you know he didn’t want to play linebacker. But he knew it was helping this football team.”

What used to be a strength for the Giants — a deep and veteran pass-rushing rotation — has now thinned out drastically with Pierre-Paul’s surgery and Osi Umenyiora’s defection to Atlanta.

The Giants coaching staff and scouting department will be put to the test this season, because the fill-ins behind Kiwanuka and Tuck are very green. Adrian Tracy, Adewale Ojomo, Justin Trattou and rookie Demontre Moore may not inspire much confidence from the fan base, but within the Giants’ facilities, the leaders of the defense have faith in guys pulling their own weight.

Moore, a former Texas A&M star, dropped to the third round of this year’s draft because of poor combine workout numbers and lack of strength on the bench press, but Tuck said Moore possesses the innate ability to get after the passer.

“I have the utmost confidence in our backups as I do our starters because I’ve seen the work they’ve put in,” Tuck said. “Damontre, that‘s a guy that can get after the quarterback. He’s explosive, and that’s exciting. He’s athletic. And he’s hungry, I can tell, because he wants to learn and has been asking me already to work with him in the offseason and after practices. I like what I’m seeing from him early. He really doesn’t have any bad habits and that bodes well.”

Kiwanuka said Big Blue’s pass rush is what will bode well once the season starts, and isn’t worried about the lost pieces because the replacements are going to pleasantly surprise people.

“Once you see what we have on the field you’ll understand [how good the defensive line still is]. Guys like Adrian Tracy came back fired up ready to go. He’ll be a guy who will step in and make plays for us,” Kiwanuka said. “We have the talent to get the job done. We’re focused on not repeating what happened last year.”

Big Blue notes …

» Wideouts Hakeem Nicks (reasons still unknown) and Victor Cruz (contract) were not at the sessions again, to the surprise of no one. Coughlin, though, said both absences are “different categories,” but added he expects to see Nicks at the mandatory minicamp next week, or face the wrath of the coaching staff, and a lighter wallet.

“We have a mandatory camp [next week],” Coughlin said. “I would expect that he [Nicks] would [show up].”

» Tuck noted that Moore’s story sounds familiar in that once upon a time, the Giants took a flier on a talented defensive lineman who fell in the draft, and had to wait his turn to get into the rotation.

“It wasn’t too long ago that a third-round pick contributed,” Tuck said. “It wasn’t right away because I had two people ahead of me [Umenyiora and Michael Strahan] who didn’t want to come off the field. But I wasn’t hurt. I was hurt more pride-wise being a third-round pick when I saw people go in front of me [in the draft that didn’t belong].”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

The post Giants’ Kiwanuka stepping up to fill role left by Pierre-Paul appeared first on Metro.us.

The Giants may have finally given fans a reason why Jason Pierre-Paul struggled in 2012. Now, they just hope it won’t run into next season.

After earlier media reports, the Giants have confirmed Tuesday that Pierre-Paul underwent surgery on his back in Los Angeles. The team put the timetable for recovery at three months, which would mean an early-September return. The Giants open the regular season Sept. 8 against Dallas.

“My back has been bothering me for a while, and even last season I played through some back issues,” Pierre-Paul said in a statement Tuesday. “The treatment I’ve been doing has helped manage the issue, but this procedure is going to get me fully healthy and there should be no more pain.”

He underwent a successful microdiscetomy, which is done to correct a herniated disc.

Pierre-Paul had just 6.5 sacks last season after exploding on the national scene in 2011 with 16.5 sacks. The 24-year-old first-round pick was considered a raw talent entering the league and his breakout 2011 season was seen as a sign of huge things to come.

But there were few answers to his struggles in 2012. He didn’t have a sack in the final seven games of the season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Pierre-Paul played through the injury last season and received epidural shots to numb the pain.

Pierre-Paul sat out organized team activities last week with what head coach Tom Coughlin said was an excused absence. Coughlin he was “aware of both circumstances there” in respect to the absences of Pierre-Paul and fellow defensive end Justin Tuck. However, he expected them back on Friday, May 31. That session was not open to the media.

The Giants were counting on Pierre-Paul even more this upcoming season after the departure of Osi Umenyiora to Atlanta. Umenyiora was a free agent and one of the reasons the team barely debated bringing him back was due to the emergence of Pierre-Paul.

Mathias Kiwanuka, who played at linebacker last season but was a defensive end entering the league, worked out in Pierre-Paul’s absence last week. He will likely see more time with Pierre-Paul on the shelf. The team also selected defensive end Damontre Moore out of Texas A&M in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

The post Giants’ Jason Pierre-Paul undergoes back surgery appeared first on Metro.us.

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin likes to use the phrase “next man up” any time it’s feasible. And unfortunately for the grizzled coach, he’s had to use that credo more than he’d probably like during Big Blue’s offseason workout program.

Wideout Hakeem Nicks and defensive ends Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul were all absent from Thursday’s voluntary organized team activity (OTAs), but of the three, only Nicks was unexcused — again.

Nicks continues to join fellow wideout Victor Cruz in abstaining from team workouts, although Cruz’s issue is due to him seeking a new contract. But in Nicks’s case, no real reason has been given for his absence and the lack of communication on his end is certainly starting to get under the skin of Coughlin.

“I have not, no. None,” Coughlin said when asked if he’s heard from Nicks or his representatives since he missed the last round of OTAs. “At one point Hakeem told me he was going to be here and then he was not here. … In the strictest interpretation everybody knows it’s a voluntary program, [but] I am not balancing [guys missing time] very well.”

Coughlin went on to pine about the circumstances of the important missing pieces.

“It’d be great to have everyone here. But you deal with this pretty much on a yearly basis and it’s just a product of our system and that’s the way it is,” Coughlin said. “I can complain all I want, but that’s just the way it is. … Most of the time, if a guy is in the program and he’s going to miss [a workout], he’ll tell us he won’t be in.”

The coach didn’t give reasons for the missing defensive ends, but added he was told in advance they wouldn’t be participating on Thursday. He then allowed that he “expects them both tomorrow.”

Tuck and Pierre-Paul are certainly in no danger of losing their starting positions, but their fill-ins, Mathias Kiwanuka and Adrian Tracy, looked fluid in their place. Both are converted linebackers, although Kiwanuka has played literally every front-seven position in his Giants’ career, including starting last season at strongside linebacker.

Tracy, who has yet to make a splash in the rotation during his first three seasons, said he’s relishing the opportunity to get in extra reps. And while he likely won’t unseat either of the starters, he’s soaking up everything being tossed his way and enjoying his temporary status running with the first unit.

“I’m just trying to take advantage of any opportunities. The way I see it, it’s more opportunities to get better … get back into the playbook and be able to ask coaches questions, as well get some added work in the weight room,” said Tracy. “Whenever you’re able to take advantage of those things, you take it, because if you don’t someone else will take advantage of those opportunities of being here.”

Wideout Jerrel Jernigan echoed Tracy’s sentiments, but sounded a little remorseful that he hasn’t been able to pick the brains of either Cruz or Nicks.

“In the meeting room with the coaches I try and learn all I can in there because I don’t have Cruz or Nicks out there to coach me up on the field, so I just have to get it all in the classroom,” said Jernigan. “I’m loving that I’m getting more time with Eli [Manning] and getting an opportunity to get more reps and experience out there. I feel we’re getting on the same page and getting our timing together so I can feel more comfortable. … No doubt, it’s an opportunity. Without [Cruz and Nicks] being here it’s just next man up to show what we’ve got.”

Big Blue notes …

» The Giants signed two free agents this week, rookie tight end Chase Clement of LSU and fourth-year linebacker Kyle Bosworth of the Jaguars, by way of UCLA. If the latter player sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the nephew of former NFL linebacker Brian Bosworth, one of the most distinguishable players of the late 1980s — even though his playing career was cut short due to injuries.

Bosworth said he’s “not as flamboyant” as his uncle, but does have ties to the spotlight outside of the NFL, as he’s engaged to Kara Keough of “Real Housewives” reality television fame. While saying he’s not adverse to one day joining his fiancée on the reality television circuit, Bosworth said right now he’s totally focused on learning the Giants’ playbook. The younger Bosworth said the Giants were his first scheduled workout earlier this week after not being tendered an offer from the Jaguars, and he apparently won over the coaching staff because he immediately signed a deal with the team. Bosworth, a Texas native and lifelong Cowboys fan, said he’s looking forward to playing them and “has no problem” beating them.

He added that the relationship between him and his famous uncle is a bit distant right now, although adding they’re still “very close … it’s just been a matter of circumstances over the years since I got into the league.” Bosworth believes he has a “strong” chance to stick on the roster because he can play “every linebacker position.” Coughlin noted that having a guy like Bosworth can be invaluable.

“We felt Bosworth would be a nice fit with him being a linebacker and special teamer,” Coughlin said. “Just a good multiple-position guy.”

» Tight end Bear Pascoe saw action at fullback with regular starter Henry Hynoski out with a knee injury and likely lost for the summer. Coughlin said it was business as usual with Pascoe, who has subbed in at fullback before.

“We’re very confident in whatever role that Bear is placed in,” Coughlin said. “We’re very sorry about Henry’s injury, but Bear has had opportunities before to play [various positions] and has always done a nice job.”

» Jernigan appeared to injure is left leg midway through the session and was seen with an ice wrap around the hamstring. He noted it’s not a big deal: “Just a little tweak but I’ll be all right.”

» Second-year wideout Rueben Randle also took advantage of the missing starting receivers, and Coughlin took notice.

“He’s moving in that [ascending] direction,” Coughlin said. “He’s certainly getting the opportunities. If there’s a guy that really has a chance to step his game up and show what he can do, it’s happening right now with Rueben.”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

The post Nicks unexcused absence from Giants OTAs again appeared first on Metro.us.

The Giants’ offseason minicamp claimed its first victim just two plays into the first session.

Starting fullback Henry Hynoski underwent an MRI on Thursday, which discovered he’d torn his left MCL and suffered a chip fracture to his lateral plateau. The lateral plateau is the flat top of the tibia at the knee joint.

He will undergo surgery on Friday at The Hospital for Special Surgery performed by team doctor Russell Warren.

The team is hopeful Hynoski will be ready by the start of the regular season in September.

“I am going to set my mind to being ready for the first game of the regular season,” Hynoski said. “They said that is not an unrealistic goal, and I will do everything in my power to be ready for the start of the season.”

Hynoski crumpled to the ground on a running play on just the team’s second play of the organized team activities. He had to be carted off the field.

“He kind of got [his leg rolled up on] and so we are taking a look at that,” head coach Tom Coughlin said. “I said a few prayers and I’ll continue until I hear what it is.”

Hynoski is an old school fullback, but plays an important role in blocking on running plays. He rarely received any handoffs, with just five in his two years with the team. He did have 11 catches and a touchdown last season. He had 12 receptions as a rookie in 2011.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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The Giants officially kicked off the 2013-14 season with organized team activities (OTAs) Wednesday as veterans joined the minicamp participants who were lucky enough to earn a spot on the camp roster.

Conspicuous by their absences, however, was the Giants’ starting pair of wideouts, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. Cruz’s contract saga is well-publicized, so it wasn’t a huge surprise he didn’t attend. But Nicks’s absence was met with a testy response from head coach Tom Coughlin, who expected his veteran receiver to be front and center when the first unit was on the field.

“He should be here,” Coughlin said when asked about Nicks’s no-show.

It’s unknown the reason for Nicks’s absence, but perhaps it had to do with safety precautions, since the former first-round pick endured an injury-riddled 2012-13 season. Nicks broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his foot during last year’s OTAs, and judging by the many slips on the slick outdoor practice field and an apparent knee injury to fullback Henry Hynoski, perhaps Nicks was clairvoyant in avoiding the session.

Coughlin wouldn’t allow for Nicks perhaps using last season’s foot injury as a reason to skip the workouts, saying that even if that was the case, the Giants would’ve taken the necessary precautions with their prized wideout.

“He would have some kind of limitations, I’m sure,” said Coughlin. “But that’s not the reason [he's not here].”

Eli Manning, ever one to shy away from controversy, wanted no part of the sagas that currently plague his wideouts, but did allow he was shocked to find out Nicks no-showed.

“I had no reason to think he wasn’t going to be here,” Manning said.

Ever the optimist, though, Manning used Cruz’s and Nicks’s absences as a teachable moment for the other wideouts in attendance and said he still used the session as a way to bond with them and get them important repetitions.

“Right now, I’m just worrying about myself, and executing. The guys that are here, we’re just trying to make sure that everybody gets better and up to speed, especially the young guys getting involved,” Manning said. “It was good getting everybody who was here a lot of reps and involved, and having time with them. So whoever is on the field, we expect them to play and perform at a high level. … The more guys you have who are experienced and ready to go and play different positions, the better off you’re going to be.”

About the only thing Manning said about Nicks’s absence that hinted at disappointed was when he was asked if he could understand guys missing time for health reasons – should that ultimately be the case for Nicks.

“You want to make sure guys are healthy at the start of the year, but there’s also a time to get work in also and improve,” Manning allowed. “You have to rep things and make sure you’re playing at our best. That involves being healthy, but also involves practicing and getting reps.”

One guy who certainly doesn’t mind the extra reps is third-year wideout Jerrel Jernigan. The former Troy star has been mostly used as a return specialist, but with the absences of the star wideouts, Jernigan ran with the first unit, alongside newcomer Louis Murphy.

Jernigan has taken incremental steps during his time in New York, so he’s looking forward to really taking advantage of the newfound playing time.

“It’s wide open and we’re all competing. I’m putting in a lot of work,” said Jernigan. “This year, going into my third season, it’s time to go out there and make plays and prove myself. Until [Cruz] comes back I’ll be the ‘Z’ [the wideout closest to the tight end] and try to make plays.”

Jernigan has only registered three catches for 22 yards in his career — all coming last season — so he’s a longshot to steal any playing time from the veterans when they finally report. But the speedy 5-foot-9 wideout doesn’t lack confidence when expressing his desire to do more on the offensive end, so he doesn’t get typecast as merely a return specialist.

“My confidence is always high. I never get down on myself. I know what I can do, and been playing this game since I was 7 years old. I go out there every day and put in work, no matter if I’m a starter or whatever,” Jernigan said. “The first year was the playbook, because [in college] we were running four-wides [four wide receiver offense], and then I came here into a pro-style offense. Last year I learned a little bit more, and now this year, my third year, I know the whole offense. … There’s no excuses now. I just need to go out and perform.”

Big Blue notes …

» Hynoski was carted off the field on the second play from scrimmage with an apparent knee injury and will undergo an MRI to see the extent of the damage.

» Former first-round pick Aaron Curry was very enthusiastic during Wednesday’s session. The former No. 4 pick rotated with the second unit and had a “just happy to be here” view on being a part of Big Blue. Curry noted that as a blue-chip middle linebacker, who was selected by the Seahawks in the 2009 draft, he took things for granted, but has rededicated himself with a new lease on his football life.

“In Seattle, football wasn’t a priority and I just lacked maturity,” Curry said. “[Being labeled a bust] was definitely about the mental aspect. The physical part about football is all NFL guys got [ability], but the guys that separate themselves do it because of the mental, and that all starts on the Monday after the previous Sunday game. I’m looking forward to applying my new way of studying and attention to detail, and challenging myself to emptying the tank every day.”

Curry also credited former Cowboys linebacker and current linebacker coach for the Seahawks, Ken Norton, Jr., for setting him straight.

“Ken Norton challenged me every day. He’s a great coach who said a lot of things that made me change the way I did a lot of stuff about the NFL, about life and about the business,” Curry said. “Every now and then I’ll text him and thank him for all the wisdom and knowledge he passed down to me. … When I got to Oakland, I wore No. 51 because he once wore No. 51. A lot of days I still think about how he taught me how to handle things on the field or off the field.”

» Don’t count defensive end Justin Tuck as someone who’s particularly concerned about the absence of his starting wideouts.

“No matter how much time they miss, if they come out on Sunday and ball, this will be forgotten,” he said, adding about Cruz, “We’ve got a lot of things to worry about, but I don’t think Victor Cruz is one of them.”

» Guard Chris Snee was not participating, as he’s still recovering from an offseason procedure to his hip. James Brewer filled in for him.

» Mathias Kiwanuka, who was the starting strongside linebacker last season, was seen working with the defensive linemen in drills.

» Mark Herzlich was seen calling the shots at middle linebacker for the first unit, in between outside linebackers Spencer Paysinger and Keith Rivers.

» Cornerback Terrell Thomas said he hopes to start individual drills soon, adding he’s “not scared” of competing despite tearing his ACL for the third time last season.

“If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be,” Thomas said.

Thomas then quipped he’ll play wherever the coaching staff needs him, as it’s rumored that he may move from cornerback to safety.

“If they tell me I’m going to play kicker, I’ll play kicker,” Thomas said.

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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Top draft picks usually get the most scrutiny as teams hold their first rookie minicamp, as the Giants did this weekend. But when you’re an offensive lineman, you’re used to flying under-the-radar.

Justin Pugh, selected No. 19 overall in last month’s draft, got his first taste of that last Friday when fourth-round selection Ryan Nassib garnered much of the attention. It’s Pugh, Nassib’s college teammate, who is competing for a chance to start however.

The college left tackle worked out at right tackle this weekend, where 32-year-old David Diehl is nearing the end of his career.

“He has been there the whole camp so he is getting better every day — more comfortable with it,” head coach Tom Coughlin said. “The language barrier is becoming a little bit easier for him, as it is for the others.”

The former college teammates were able to joke about the switch.

“I was like, ‘Hey Ryan, now I got your front side as opposed to your backside.’” Pugh said. “He said, ‘It’s all good, man.’ As long as I’m protecting him, he’s good with it.”

Follow New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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The Giants made a big splash in every sense of the word with their second-round pick, as they selected defensive tackle John Hankins of Ohio State.

Hankins is 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds and is the typical two-gap run-stuffing tackle who usually occupies two blockers.

New York is taking its nickname to heart as Hankins joins Mike Patterson, Cullen Jenkins, Shaun Rogers, Linval Joseph, Marvin Austin and Markus Kuhn in the defensive tackle rotation.

It’s unlikely Hankins will crack the starting rotation, but he’ll certainly be a part of the rotation — providing the gargantuan lineman stays in shape, because that’s about the only knock on the former Buckeye star.

Marc Ross, who is in his seventh season as the Giants’ director of college scouting, is in charge of the franchise’s college scouting department and has a large say in the team’s draft picks, and he’s confident that none of the criticism about Hankins will stick during his time in New York.

“We had him identified as a first-round guy. This is not just a raw guy. This guy knows how to play football,” said Ross, adding the massive Hankins isn’t just a plodder. “You see he can be more of the athletic quick edge move kind of guys, [which] makes this guy more of a rarity. … Plus, he does the dirty work [because] he is a wide body.”

Ross did quickly admit Hankins “probably could lose a few pounds” but then predicted “the sky is the limit for him [because] he is a big, wide-bodied presence and a three-down player.”

The Giants will need Hankins’s girth because they surrendered 129.1 rush yards per game last season, and have been searching for a big-bodied defensive tackle to alleviate some pressure on edge guys Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck.

Ross said Hankins — and yesterday’s first-round pick Justin Pugh (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) — will add a nice element of toughness and physicality for Big Blue on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

“We wanted to get bigger and more physical up front and we really think we’ve done that with these first two picks,” Ross said.

Big Blue notes …

» The Giants also got great value in the third round by selecting pass-rush defensive end Damontre Moore of Texas A&M. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder was a supreme sack artist in college — playing opposite Broncos All-Pro linebacker Von Miller in college. Moore lasted until the third round, however, because he didn’t test well at the NFL Combine or his Pro Day, when he only benched pressed 225 pounds 12 times (by comparison most quarterbacks can surpass that amount) and ran a pedestrian 4.95 seconds in the 40-yard dash. But judging by the flier Giants general manager Jerry Reese took on Moore, he valued the stellar game tape and Moore’s measurables over testing.

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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The Giants had a few needs to fill, including skill positions like running back, linebacker and cornerback. But true to their form, they bypassed all the hoopla and stuck to their board, by selecting offensive tackle Justin Pugh with their No. 19 pick.

The former Syracuse star is 6-foot-4 and 307 pounds and considered by many to be one of the best tackle/guard combos in the league. The Giants have a habit of selecting ready-made players in the first round and Pugh shouldn’t be any different.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese said that Pugh was high on their draft board and added in earnest that he’s happy that the lineman was available.

“He was the highest guy on our board,” said Reese, almost sounding as if he was trying to convince anyone within earshot. “You guys think I’m joking when I say that, but he was the highest guy on our board.”

Pugh, a 2012 First-Team All-Big East selection, will likely slide immediately into the swing-tackle position — a spot that is very valuable in offensive coordinator’s Kevin Gilbride’s offense.

The extra tackle in the heavy packages is essentially an extra blocker for short-yardage situations, which is something the Giants have lacked in execution in recent years.

Head coach Tom Coughlin certainly expects Pugh to hold his own.

“It’s an outstanding pick for us. Justin is a very good left tackle from Syracuse University, and he’s a technician and an excellent student and very smart,” said Coughlin, who is also a Syracuse alum. “He utilizes all of his ability and he adds a lot of versatility.”

Coughlin went on to praise the versatility of his newest player.

“He can play the left or right side. He’s got big hands, and could even play center for us if we needed that,” Coughlin said. “His feet are good and can get to the second level as well as anyone. … He can play either tackle position and [can] probably be taught the inside as well.”

Regarding the Giants’ tackle positions, Pugh may not immediately crack the starting lineup, as left tackle Will Beatty signed a lucrative contract extension during the offseason and right tackle David Diehl will be penciled in at the right tackle position. Diehl, though, isn’t inked in as the starter, so it’s a real possibility that Pugh can give the veteran a battle in training camp.

Coughlin certainly thinks Pugh can handle the pressure of camp competition against a respected and long-time veteran.

“Well, it was time to address [adding depth on the offensive line] and if the best player available was an offensive lineman, we’d be very happy to get help along the offensive line,” said Coughlin. “It’s not easy to come into the National Football League and play or start at the offensive line position. But this young man has the experience and intelligence to handle that.”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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As the Giants prepare their final draft board, general manager Jerry Reese will have to decide between selecting for need (offensive line, defensive line, running back and linebacker), or simply sticking with his customary plan of snatching the best player available.

Either way, Reese said he feels a good player will fall into the Giants’ lap at the No. 19 pick — even though he’s not fond of picking at that spot.

“We don’t like picking 19. That is early for us. We hate picking this high. But hopefully we can get a player who can come in and contribute for you right away,” Reese said. “It is a good draft. I think there are a lot of good players in the draft at every position. I don’t see one position that is stronger than the other, though.”

The fact the Giants are picking near the middle of the pack means it’s likely someone good will fall. It’s a trend that continues in every draft, as highly graded players fall for some reason or another.

Most mock drafts have the Giants selecting either a lineman, linebacker or pass-rushing defensive end. And according to most mocks, it could be someone like offensive tackle D.J. Fluker (Alabama), inside linebacker Alec Ogletree (Georgia) or defensive end Bjoern Werner (Florida State). Should all three be available when the Giants select, Reese will have a good problem on his hands, because they rank among the best at their respective positions and would also fill immediate needs.

“We need linebackers, we need D-line, we need the offensive line and we need every position,” said Reese. “We are trying to get as many players at every position that we can.”

Whatever Reese decides, one thing is for sure, that rookie will be expected to play like a veteran because he’ll be on the field for his share of snaps this upcoming season.

“In this day and age of bringing your draft picks in, and just sitting them for a year or two, I think those days are dwindling away,” Reese said. “I think you have to bring them in and get those guys ready to play. You’d like to develop guys, and quite frankly guys are really not ready to come in, but sometimes you have to force them in there. … We have played young players in the past, because nowadays you really have to get them ready to go pretty quickly.”

Giants’ likely targets:

Fluker, 6-foot-5, 339 pounds — He might be the best run-blocking lineman in the entire draft. He is NFL ready because of the pro-style program Nick Saban runs. Fluker could even kick inside to guard, so his versatility is a plus. And if anything, Giants’ head coach Tom Coughlin cherishes offensive linemen who can play more than one position.

Ogletree, 6-foot-2, 242 pounds — He was overshadowed some by the excellent season his Bulldogs teammate Jarvis Jones had, but Ogletree is no slouch. He’s an elite athlete who can make plays at the linebacker position, and could fit either a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme. Although Ogletree has had some run-ins with the law during his time at Georgia, he could actually benefit by playing for a strict disciplinarian like Coughlin, as well as being around a solid group of professionals in the Giants’ locker room.

Werner, 6-foot-3, 266 pounds — No team rotates pass rushers like the Giants, so New York would be an ideal landing spot for a talented prospect such as Werner. Big Blue will need to fill a hole in the rotation now that Osi Umenyiora is on the Falcons. Werner would be the classic Giants pick because he has a high work ethic, is NFL ready in size, strength and technique and is a productive player from a major program — as his 49 tackles behind the line over the last two years can attest.

Big Blue notes …

» Wideout Victor Cruz is no longer a restricted free agent, as the deadline for any team to make a qualifying offer passed last Friday. He was originally placed with a first-round tender, meaning had any team offered him a deal they would’ve had to give up their first-round pick in this year’s draft if the Giants declined to match. That was obviously too steep a price, as no one made Cruz’s camp an official offer.

» Former Giants guard Rich Seubert, who played 10 years, will announce the team’s second-round pick from the podium on Friday.

» Center David Baas had elbow surgery last week, but insists it was just to remove some bone spurs. He added he’ll definitely be ready for training camp.

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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Giants general manager Jerry Reese was happy to get back to work this week, as the team officially began the 2013 season with voluntary workouts. But he was in no mood to discuss the one guy who treated these sessions as, in fact, voluntary.

Restricted free agent wide receiver Victor Cruz decided to steer clear of Big Blue’s workouts, perhaps as an injury precaution, perhaps as contract negotiation leverage, or perhaps as both.

Either way, Reese had no desire to speak about Cruz.

“The Victor Cruz thing will play out, and wherever it goes it will go from there. You guys are really interested in the whole Victor thing, and I get that. But there is not a lot for me to talk about right now,” Reese said. “I wish I could talk more about it, but it really is inappropriate to be talking about it. … I would characterize [discussions] as we have talked but nothing further to report.”

The Giants hold the upper hand on the Cruz dealings because while the Pro Bowl wideout is actually without a contract, he’s been given a tender, which allows the Giants to own his rights. Cruz could sign a participation agreement — much like teammate and fellow restricted free agent Andre Brown did — and allow him to take part in the workouts, but he chose not to.

That’s the wideout’s choice, said Reese.

“Guys have choices. Andre chose to come and Victor chose not to come,” Reese said. “Victor’s not here. He’s a free agent. He’s exercising all of his options, and we’ll see how it goes.”

When asked about the draft prospects and whether Cruz’s abstinence from the facilities would affect his draft board, Reese was cryptic about the prospects of going forward without Cruz. He even came close to spewing head coach Tom Coughlin’s “next man up” mantra.

“Obviously, he’s a big part of what we were doing the past few years. He did a nice job, just like [wideout Hakeem] Nicks did a nice job, just like a lot of players did a nice job. But it’s all about team for us. Victor was a nice piece for what we were doing, and we’ll see where it goes with respect to his contract,” Reese said. “I can tell you this, when we get ready to start the season, we’ll have good players out there. … I’m not sure if Victor will be there or not. I don’t assume anything.”

Cruz reportedly wants to be rewarded with a deal commensurate with the top slot receivers in the game — namely newly signed wideout Wes Welker of the Broncos, who was inked to a two-year, $12 million deal. The Giants reportedly offered a deal that averaged out to $7 million annually. Cruz has yet to sign it.

The team and player remain far apart, as Friday stands to be the final day when another team can sign Cruz to an offer sheet. Cruz was paid a base salary of $540,000 last year, in which he caught 86 passes and had 10 touchdowns. This year’s tender would pay him $2.879 million, not bad for a once-undrafted player, but also well below market value for a player with Cruz’s past production.

One guy who wants this resolved quickly is quarterback Eli Manning. The veteran signal caller wished the best for both sides, but ultimately stayed away from picking sides.

Manning recently worked out with Cruz and Nicks at Duke University (older brother Peyton and Welker were also there), and while the Giants trio bonded, the younger Manning said he never asked about Cruz’s situation.

“I’m not going to pry. He’s got to do what’s in the best interest of him,” Manning said. “That’s usually staying away and putting pressure [on the team] to try and get the deal done.”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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The 2013 NFL season will culminate with the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium but on Thursday night the Giants and Jets learned exactly what their schedules looks like if they want to play that game in their home stadium.

The Giants open up in the division with a road trip to the Cowboys then don’t face an NFC East foe until Week 5 when they welcome the Eagles to MetLife Stadium. Three out of their final six games are in the division, including twice against the Redskins in the season’s final month when Robert Griffin III should be back and healthy from the knee injury he suffered late last season.

The Giants’ complete regular season schedule:

Sept. 8 at Dallas 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 Denver 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 22 at Carolina 1 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Kansas City 1 p.m.
Oct. 6 Philadelphia 1 p.m.
Oct. 10 at Chicago 8:25 p.m.
Oct. 21 Minnesota 8:40 p.m.
Oct. 27 at Philadelphia 1 p.m.
Nov. 3 BYE
Nov. 10 Oakland 1 p.m.
Nov. 17 Green Bay 8:30 p.m.
Nov. 24 Dallas 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 1 at Washington 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 8 at San Diego 4:25 p.m.
Dec. 15 Seattle 1 p.m.
Dec. 22 at Detroit 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 29 Washington 1 p.m.

The Jets could have the most intriguing opener of the two New York teams, hosting the Buccaneers in Week 1. This game could be the return of cornerback Darrelle Revis as Tampa Bay appears to be the favorite to land the star cornerback in a trade, a move that would likely come before the NFL Draft. The Jets also face AFC East rival New England in Week 2, then play the Bills 10 days later.

The Jets’ complete regular season schedule:

Sept. 8 Tampa Bay 1 p.m.
Sept. 12 at New England 8:25 p.m.
Sept. 22 Buffalo 4:25 p.m.
Sept. 29 at Tennessee 4:05 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Atlanta 8:40 p.m.
Oct. 13 Pittsburgh 1 p.m.
Oct. 20 New England 1 p.m.
Oct. 27 at Cincinnati 4:05 p.m.
Nov. 3 New Orleans 1 p.m.
Nov. 10 BYE
Nov. 17 at Buffalo 1 p.m.
Nov. 24 at Baltimore 1 p.m.
Dec. 1 Miami 1 p.m.
Dec. 8 Oakland 1 p.m.
Dec. 15 at Carolina 4:05 p.m.
Dec. 22 Cleveland 1 p.m.
Dec. 29 at Miami 1 p.m.

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It’s a good thing Shaun Rogers just signed a $1 million contract last month, because he’s apparently out half that amount in stolen jewelry.

Rogers has filed a report with Miami Beach, Fla., police which claims $440,000 in jewelry was stolen from a safe in his hotel room at the famous Fontainebleau hotel over the weekend.

According to the report, Rogers went to a club with two friends and met a woman who came back to his hotel room. Rogers put the jewelry in the safe, and went to sleep. When he woke up, his friends were still in the room, but the woman and jewelry were gone.

The items detailed in the report as missing are a $100,000 watch, $100,000 diamond earrings, a separate $60,000 watch, a $50,000 gold necklace, a $70,000 diamond necklace and three gold bracelets worth $60,000 total.

Rogers is a nose tackle who has played in the league for 12 seasons for four different teams (Lions, Browns, Saints, Giants). He made just shy of $1 million with the Giants in his first season with the team in 2012, though he missed the entire season after developing a blood clot in his leg.

He signed two massive contracts earlier in his career, however, including a six-year, $46 million extension with the Lions in 2005 and a six-year, $42 million deal with the Browns.

He never saw all of that money, however, as he was released before the deals ended and contracts are not guaranteed in the NFL.

The Fontainebleau hotel is famously featured in the James Bond film “Goldfinger,” where Jill Masterson (actress Shirley Eaton) is found dead, covered in gold in a hotel room.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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Nothing like signing with the enemy to rekindle old rivalries.

Free agent Cullen Jenkins has decided to sign with the Giants, according to ESPN. The deal is for three years and $8 million. The 32-year-old defensive tackle spent the last two season with the Eagles. He spent the previous, most successful, seven years of his career with the Packers.

“I’m excited,” Jenkins said in a statement. “It’s been a tough two weeks [since being released], going through so many different things mentally, with my family and traveling so much — trying to figure out which was the best scenario. I’m glad that it’s over and especially with the Giants.”

Jenkins signed a five-year, $25 million deal with Philadelphia as part of an incoming class Vince Young deemed the Dream Team. Also included in that class was top corner Nnamdi Asomugha. Both Jenkins and Asomugha turned out to be disappointments for an Eagles team which missed the postseason two years in a row. They were 8-8 in Jenkins’s first season and 4-12 last year.

The Giants and Eagles split their two matchups last season. But the Eagles fired long-time coach Andy Reid and brought in college coach Chip Kelly, who wants his defense to be younger and faster, meaning Jenkins was an easy cut given his salary.

Still, Jenkins was durable over his two seasons in Philadelphia. He played in all 16 games both seasons. He had 5 1/2 sacks in 2011 and four in 2012. He has 38 1/2 sacks in his nine-year career.

The Giants let defensive tackle Chris Canty walk earlier this offseason, in favor of a signing a player with a more manageable contract. Apparently, Jenkins fit the bill.

Jenkins is also the younger brother of former Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, who hasn’t shied away from the spotlight even since he retired due to mounting injuries. He’s been particularly critical of the Jets in his time as a broadcast analyst.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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The Giants spent much of the last few weeks debating which players to cut. They did the opposite yesterday afternoon.

New York used that freed up money to re-sign left tackle Will Beatty to a five-year, $38 million deal. It reportedly includes $19 million guaranteed.

“It’s good to be home,” Beatty said in a statement. “It’s a great feeling. You could be going through free agency, but when that happens a lot of stuff is going through your mind. That feeling is no longer there.  You’re settled in with a great team, a team I love playing for. I know the coaching staff. I’m looking forward to getting back in it and moving forward.”

Beatty, 28, was a second-round pick out of the University of Connecticut in 2009. He was expected to be the heir apparent at left tackle, but was a little slow in getting there. He played in all 16 games as a rookie, starting four of them at right tackle in place of the injured Kareem McKenzie.

But over the next two seasons he started just 12 games and played in only 18 as he dealt with injuries. He had a foot injury in 2010 and then a detached retina in 2011 cut short a promising season in which he’d taken over as starter at left tackle.

Fans started to worry when Beatty skipped essentially all of fall camp dealing with a nagging back injury. But that worry was all for naught, as Beatty was a break-out star in 2012. He started 15 games at left tackle and developed into one of the best in the league.

“We are very pleased to get a new deal done with Will,” general manager Jerry Reese said in a statement. “We believe he is one of the ascending left tackles in the NFL.”

The Giants had cut veterans Michael Boley, Chris Canty and Ahmad Bradshaw earlier this month in order to free up space under the salary cap.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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The annual meat market known as the NFL Combine starts Thursday. It has always been the top place for talent evaluators to break down the top prospects in the upcoming draft. It’s more than just the 40-yard dash, as players are interviewed, tested and accurately measured as opposed to their inflated roster stats.

Both the Jets and Giants have some holes to fill in the draft and Metro takes a look at the three biggest positional needs on each squad and a few players they could target in the draft. Be sure to keep an eye on them over the weekend in Indianapolis.

GIANTS

A year after failing to properly defend their Super Bowl title by missing the playoffs, the Giants need to add depth after a year of injury struggles.

Cornerback:
The Giants had a notoriously weak secondary last year, tied for the league high with 8.1 yards per pass attempt. They can’t rely on Corey Webster and the secondary is truly lacking a playmaker other team’s need to scheme around. The prototype here is the man who plays across town, Darrelle Revis, and while the Giants can address this via free agency they would be wise to use one of their Top-2 picks on a cornerback for the future.

Round 1 target: Jonathan Banks (Mississippi State) — He possesses the ideal size to play the position at the next level and he’s a good tackler in the box. An all-around good fit for the Giants.
Rounds 2-3 target: Robert Alford (Southeast Louisiana) — No, he is not as physically strong or impressive as Banks but he is fast and covers a lot of turf. He played against lesser competition, but has tremendous upside.
Rounds 4-7 target: Blidi Wreh-Wilson (UConn) — He had a knee injury two years ago so question marks exist about his health. He has struggled with consistency for the Huskies but he has tremendous physical tools.

Offensive line:
The aging Giants could use an infusion of youth almost anywhere along the offensive line, but tackles are always at a premium. Right tackle David Diehl just completed his 10th NFL season and his window is fast closing. He, like Webster, risk being cut this offseason.

Round 1 target: D.J. Fluker (Alabama) — Fluker was part of the offensive line that powered the Crimson Tide to consecutive national championships. He’s strong but needs to reshape his body and slim down a tad. But he has the pedigree head coach Tom Coughlin loves in draft picks.
Rounds 2-3 target: Terron Armstead (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) — He isn’t a big name in the draft but he has outstanding measurables and with good coaching could become an ideal downfield blocker, something the Giants love in their linemen.
Rounds 4-7 target: Reid Fragel (Ohio State) — He has room to grow on his frame but is a sound player. He also has some of the better feet in this draft for linemen.

Tight end:
With Martellus Bennett likely testing the free agent market, the Giants could use a tight end who can catch and block — something they haven’t had since Kevin Boss left as a free agent two years ago.

Round 1 target: Tyler Eifert (Notre Dame) — No question Eifert would be a dream fit for the Giants and he showed his stuff last year in leading Notre Dame in receptions. He’s an underrated blocker as well.
Rounds 2-3 target: Travis Kelce (Cincinnati) — He is another well-rounded tight end hailing from a school that is producing NFL caliber players at the position. Little known before this last year, he was an All-Big East selection after 40 catches in his senior season.
Rounds 4-7 target: Nick Kasa (Colorado) — Kasa played defensive end up until last season but made a solid transition his senior season to the offensive side of the ball. He’s athletic but raw.

JETS

There’s a lot of rebuilding work to be done with the Jets on both side of the ball and their draft day could be flipped if they add more picks by trading away their star Darrelle Revis.

Linebacker:
With likely three of their four starting linebackers not coming back, or expected to play a diminished role, head coach Rex Ryan’s famed 3-4 defense needs some versatile linebackers to provide depth. Pronto.

Round 1 target: Jarvis Jones (Georgia) — This is the name most linked in mock drafts with the Jets. He’s a strong and sure tackler but sometimes seems to play a bit slow. His teammate, Alec Ogletree, might have more upside but also has a track record of arrests and suspensions.
Rounds 2-3 target: Khaseem Greene (Rutgers) — The local star is one of the faster linebackers in the draft and he’s as good against the run as against the pass. He could be an ideal fit midway through the second round for a team that needs a playmaker at linebacker.
Rounds 4-7 target: Zaviar Gooden (Missouri) — Gooden is another fast linebacker but is suspect in stopping the run. If the Jets want a project, he could be a good value but he’s more a situational player.

Safety:
LaRon Landry is coming off a Pro Bowl season and might be too pricey for the Jets to keep. Eric Smith was cut earlier this week in a move to gain more room under the salary cap. A nice safety could help solidify the defense, even as the pass defense was outstanding last year.

Round 1 target: Eric Reid (LSU) — He could jump into the first round with a good showing in the 40-yard dash but his bread and butter is as a physical safety and a sure tackler. He has good size and could fit the Jets defense if they decide to trade back from No. 9 to later in the first round.
Rounds 2-3 target: Tony Jefferson (Oklahoma) — Jefferson isn’t big but he’s a solid safety and a smart football player. He could be a good fit in a backend that has lost some veteran experience.
Rounds 4-7 target: Josh Evans (Florida) — Evans might be a steal in the fifth round, as a player who is a real ball hawk. He does need to refine his technique but has ideal size at the position and room to grow on his frame.

Running back:
Four years of Shonn Greene didn’t see the player develop into an elite running back. If the Jets are stuck with Mark Sanchez as quarterback then bolstering the offense with a good running game and an elite running back might be the best way to go.

Round 1 target: Giovani Bernard (North Carolina) — Bernard averaged 122 rushing yards per game last year for the Tar Heels. His low center of gravity and build is reminiscent of Ravens running Ray Rice. He could be a nice battering ram for the Jets.
Rounds 2-3 target: Andre Ellington (Clemson) — The burner will be in demand because he might well run a 4.4 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s a consistent runner and while he needs to add size, he did average 5.1 yards per carry last year.
Rounds 4-7 target: Marcus Lattimore (South Carolina) — The still-injured Lattimore was a Heisman contender until a horrific knee injury cut his season short. If the Jets don’t mind taking on board a risk a la Willis McGahee, Lattimore could be the biggest home run hitter in this year’s draft.

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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The Jets might well be a viable option for Ahmad Bradshaw, who said on Tuesday that he was interested in going to the Giants’ crosstown rival and joining forces with head coach Rex Ryan.

Speaking on “NFL AM” on the NFL Network, Bradshaw said he was expecting to get cut by the Giants last week in what was a move designed to clear room under the salary cap. But Bradshaw, who has won two Super Bowls in Giants blue, twice topped 1,000 rushing yards in his NFL career and could be an ideal fit in the Jets backfield. Current “bell cow” Shonn Greene is a free agent and has been inconsistent in his four years with the Jets. Bradshaw could be an ideal fit to help spark a backfield that would also include Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight.

“Whoever needs me, whoever can use me. Whoever I feel that I can get a better chance of playing and helping,” Bradshaw said. “The New York Jets are a team that I’m excited to hear about, just to stay home, not make a big move from New York. It’s just right across the street from where I am now.”

Bradshaw, who turns 27 years old next month, could be a perfect complement to a Jets offense that has struggled the past two years to get the ground game going. The Jets finished last year No. 12 in the league in rushing, but were No. 23 with 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. Bradshaw is also noted as a solid blocker in the backfield.

Foot injuries have limited Bradshaw to just one full season since being a seventh-round pick in 2007, but he is confident in making a return to full health.

“I am just trying to get as healthy as I can before I talk to any team. I haven’t really talked to anybody. [I] feel like this surgery was very well needed. I feel better already,” Bradshaw said. “I should have gone through the surgery last year instead of getting the stem cell, but I felt great after getting the stem cell last year. I felt it was a great success. It felt great up until the sixth or seventh game last year and I played through pain the rest of the season. I will be ready to go for whoever I play for.”

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer for all your offseason news from Gang Green.

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The Giants restructured cornerback Terrell Thomas’s contract Monday in order to keep him on their roster.

Thomas, who hasn’t played in two straight seasons thanks to ACL injuries, was due a $6 million contract bonus next month which the Giants did not want to pay. Instead, he signed a one-year deal, with unreleased terms. He was expected to be given his release had a restructuring not occurred.

“At this point, I don’t care if they move me to kicker,” Thomas said in a release Monday. “I just want to play football.”

He had signed a four-year, $28 million deal with $11 million guaranteed, in March 2012.

Thomas was drafted in the second round in 2008 by the Giants and immediately made an impact in the secondary. In his rookie season he played mostly in nickel and dime packages — though he did start two games — finishing the season with one interception and one forced fumble. He became a starter the following season, starting all 16 games and finishing with 85 tackles and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. He was so good he stole time away from incumbent starter Aaron Ross, who dealt with hamstring injuries much of the 2009 season. He also had five picks the following season, with a career-high four forced fumbles.

But he hasn’t been back on the field since.

He tore his ACL in back-to-back preseasons, but vowed he would return. He will have his chance in 2013, albeit with a smaller contract.

The ACL injury in 2012 was actually the third of his career. He originally tore his right ACL in college at USC in 2005. His third surgery came last September, so he expects to be ready to play by training camp in the fall.

“My knee feels great,” Thomas said Monday. “It was a little struggle at first. It was a little inconsistent with the swelling. But for the last month-and-a half I haven’t dealt with any swelling at all. It’s progressed the last two weeks since I started running. The doctors are really happy with the way I’m progressing. They had to increase my workload because it wasn’t enough.”

The Giants still have to make a decision on what to do with fellow cornerback Corey Webster, who has one year left on his contract. The team could save $7.25 million by cutting the corner, who had a disappointing 2012 season.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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The Giants wasted no time in getting down to business this offseason.

Just two days after the Super Bowl they cut veteran linebacker Michael Boley and followed that up a day later with star  Ahmad Bradshaw and Chris Canty.
The team has many free agents though, including Victor Cruz, Will Beatty and Kenny Phillips. Metro looks at who else should be cut sooner rather than later:

> RT David Diehl
Why: Diehl, 33, has spent his entire 10-year career with the Giants. In seven of them he has started 16 games. But last year he played in 13 and started just 10 as he was moved to right tackle. The team needs to sign Beatty and can’t waste money on a veteran who is a backup at this point.

> CB Terrell Thomas
Why: Thomas hasn’t played in two years with serious knee injuries. Thomas has a salary bonus of $6 million due in March, so it’s hard to see them keeping a player who has barely played under such a large deal.

> CB Corey Webster
Why: Unlike Thomas, Webster has played and played well over his eight-year career, all spent in blue. He played well enough to earn a five-year, $43 million deal in 2008. But with only one year left, cutting him this offseason would save the team $7.25 million on their cap. That’s big money saved.

Who stays?

The Giants have to weigh who they can cut with who they are going to compete with going forward. So who should the team keep going into next season.

> S Antrel Rolle
Why: Rolle is not the player he was when the Giants signed him to a five-year, $37 million deal in 2010. He has two years remaining, though exactly how much money is left is unclear after he restructured the deal in 2011. It’s over $6 million though, which is a lot for a 30-year-old safety. And yet, as the unquestioned leader of the defense he needs to return in 2013.

> DT Justin Tuck
Why: Speaking of defensive leaders, Tuck is also a player who could be axed. Tuck’s base salary is $4.5 million (so his cap number is higher), but the defensive lineman has not had much impact recently. He only has nine combined sacks since 11.5 in 2010 alone, but the team needs bodies on the line.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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The Giants cut bait with one of their top players on Wednesday.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw, who was drafted by the Giants out of Marshall in the seventh round in 2007, was released by the team.

“Pound for pound, Bradshaw is one of the toughest football players that I’ve been around,” general manager Jerry Reese said in a statement. “Ahmad played football like Giants football should be played.”

Bradshaw took over as the team’s starting running back from Brandon Jacobs the past few seasons, even before Jacobs was let go after the 2011 season. He had just 90 carries in his first two seasons with the Giants, including 23 carries in the team’s Super Bowl season in 2007. He had 1,015 yards and six touchdowns this past season. His best season came in 2010, when he had 1,235 and eight rushing touchdowns.

Bradshaw, 27, signed a four-year, $18 million deal with the Giants in August 2011, with $9 million of that guaranteed. He had two years left on his deal. He was set to make $3.75 million next season and $4 million in 2014. The cap numbers, however, were just over $6 million in both of those seasons due to prorated guaranteed money.

He spent a lot of time injured, however, including foot problems in 2012. The team drafted running back David Wilson with the final pick of the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft, and despite a slow start to his rookie campaign, the former Virginia Tech star emerged down the stretch for the Giants.

“Ahmad Bradshaw was drafted 250th in a class of 255 and to excel and to perform the way that he has, and to accomplish what he has, is a great tribute to him,” head coach Tom Coughlin said in a statement. “He is not only an exceptional football player, but he is the epitome of line up and play. Regardless of the circumstances, he’s going to give you everything he’s got. If you give the ball to him, he’s going to get every inch of what is there — and sometimes when it’s not blocked, he still gets it.”

The team also announced they have released defensive lineman Chris Canty. Canty, a Bronx native, spent the last four seasons on the Giants. He had nine career sacks as a Giants, including four in 2011 and three this past season.

“Chris Canty is a pro’s pro, a true team player and competitor,” Reese said. “He helped us get to the top in 2011 and it was a pleasure having him here during his time with the New York Giants.”

Canty had two years remaining on his contract as well, and was due $6.25 million this upcoming season and $6.5 million in 2014.

The moves will free up space to re-sign current players. The Giants have a wealth of free agents to re-sign, including restricted free agent Victor Cruz, and unrestricted free agents Kenny Phillips, Will Beatty and Martellus Bennett.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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The Giants moved quickly to rearrange their roster in order to reclaim the Lombardi Trophy.

The team announced Tuesday they were parting ways with veteran linebacker Michael Boley, who had played the last four seasons with the Giants. He spent the first four years of his career with the Falcons.

“Michael came in and learned our defense quickly and he added speed, coupled with big play ability, to our defensive unit,” general manager Jerry Reese said in a statement. “He also played an important role in helping us win Super Bowl XLVI. I wish him well as he moves forward in his career.”

The move didn’t exactly come as a surprise, with Boley losing playing time down the stretch last season. The Giants had plenty of linebacker depth with second-year player Jacquian Williams and last season’s free-agent signing Keith Rivers. Boley had just five total tackles in limited time the final three games of the season.

Boley had one year remaining on a five-year, $25 million contract he signed when he joined the Giants. The move will free up salary cap space to re-sign players such as restricted free agent Victor Cruz and unrestricted free agents Will Beatty, Kenny Phillips and Martellus Bennett.

Over his four seasons with the Giants, Boley had 263 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

“Michael Boley was brought here as a fast, athletic, versatile linebacker,” head coach Tom Coughlin said in a statement. “We recognized his special skills were in coverage. He’s a smart player who made some big plays for us. He was an integral part of our Super Bowl XLVI championship team. Michael played outstanding football down the stretch for us that season.”

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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Michael Strahan was revealed as Kelly Ripa’s new co-host this morning after months of speculation. Dozens of celebrity guests filled in as co-host during the year-long search for a permanent replacement on “Live! With Kelly.” Stars like Neil Patrick Harris, Alec Baldwin and Anderson Cooper all took the chair next to Ripa, but in the end, Strahan took the title.

He joined Ripa on set this morning, greeting her with a big bear hug.

“It’s so nice to have a co-host literally sweep you off your feet,” Ripa told the audience. “I know that he can bench press me if he wanted to.”

Strahan also appears on FOX’s “NFL Sunday.” No word on whether he will continue with that position. 

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As the free agency period is set to begin on Tuesday, the defending Super Bowl champions have to get right back to work and figure out who’s staying, who’s going and who they’re bringing aboard.   

Notable names like running back Brandon Jacobs and right tackle Kareem McKenzie will not return, while Super Bowl hero, wideout Mario Manningham, will likely look for greener pastures. Jacobs couldn’t come to terms on a new deal and the Giants were not going to pay him $4 million for the 2012 season, including a $500,000 roster bonus later this month, so he was shown the door. McKenzie was one of the longest-tenured offensive linemen on the team, missing just four starts in six years, but will be 33 when next season begins. He was already showing signs of decline, so according to a team source, McKenzie was told to “go shopping” and test the open market.    

Manningham’s situation is the age-old story of an unlikely Super Bowl hero cashing in on his newfound heroism. He’ll likely follow former Giants quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, who was recently hired by the Buccaneers to be their offensive coordinator.     

Whatever the Giants decide to do with the newfound roster spots, they’ll certainly take a look within first, as head coach Tom Coughlin favors familiarity over anything else.       

“Continuity is important,” Coughlin said. “It’s not that I don’t think there are some talented people out there. But I do like to take people that are in the system, that understand the system, understand how we work [and] are very comfortable with the organizational scheme that we use in preparation. … We will continue to support our players at those positions with people who are products of the system.”    

Such a statement is the epitome of Coughlin’s “next man up” credo. Whenever a player went down for an extended period of time due to injury, it was expected the next guy on the depth chart would simply fill the void. Jacobs’s departure now opens the door for guys like D.J. Ware and Da’Rel Scott. If not a promotion from within, the Giants could turn their attention towards former Falcons and Rams running back Jerious Norwood. The veteran running back was brought in for a workout two years ago before re-signing with Atlanta, so the Giants are certainly familiar — and are fans of — his shifty running style. Former Packers’ running back Ryan Grant, who was once on the Giants’ practice squad, could also be an option, as well as BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who was on the Patriots.         

McKenzie’s spot would be up for grabs between guys like Stacy Andrews, Selvish Capers and James Brewer, who the team thinks highly of. Brewer was a fourth-round pick last season and was solid in spot duty. Another option would be to shift David Diehl to McKenzie’s old spot. Diehl manned left tackle when Will Beatty was lost for the season, but with Beatty returning Diehl could go back to his customary left guard spot or be the team’s swing tackle.  

Manningham’s slot could allow guys like Jerrel Jernigan, Ramses Barden or Domenik Hixon to fill the void — or even a reunion with Steve Smith. The veteran wideout departed Big Blue last off-season after contract talks stalled and with him still nursing a knee injury. He then joined the hated Eagles but didn’t have anywhere near the amount of success as he did in New York. As far-fetched as a reunion sounds, Smith still has friends within the Giants’ locker room and was a fan favorite.   

If the two sides can’t come to an agreement look for Hixon to be the leader to fill Manningham’s role. Hixon, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL during mini-camp, recently re-signed for two more years. Despite two knee surgeries in two years, it didn’t diminish Hixon’s value to the Giants and most certainly didn’t quell his desire to continue playing. Thought to be a frontrunner to fill Smith’s role in the slot position heading into last season, Hixon’s injury gave way to the Victor Cruz phenomena. But now fully recovered, Hixon said he’s grateful the Giants still see a need for him, which also showed a sign they look for him to expand his role in the offense.    

“It’s one of those things [where] they gave me an opportunity again,” said Hixon. “They stuck with me when they could have cut me and let me be on my way and be done with me. But they didn’t do that. They treated me the same and I really appreciate that. … I know a lot of times in the NFL loyalty isn’t that big, but in this situation I really felt like I wanted to be here. They helped me out time and time again. I wanted to stay here and repay that.”     

The return of Hixon is a feel-good story, but when it comes to the handling again of Osi Umenyiora’s contract situation, all bets are off. Umenyiora became a bit of a distraction last season during training camp as he bemoaned his deal. Then he came back to camp proclaiming he had a sore knee and spent the first couple of months on a stationary bike during practice. He had arthroscopic knee surgery and then rehabbed for the first four weeks of the season.    

Just like last year, Umenyiora will surely ask for an extension, of which the Giants haven’t been in too much of a hurry to do in the past. And like seasons past, New York will have three options: pay him big money, trade him or tell him to just deal with the circumstances and come to work — disgruntled or not.   

Things could get ugly again, as Umenyiora’s current deal will earn him roughly $4 million in 2012, the final year of his contract. That figure is far below the market value of other defensive ends who don’t put up half the numbers he’s posted. Umenyiora was second on the team in sacks with nine in only nine total games (seven starts). Such a dominant — if brief — season actually led general manager Jerry Reese to think contract extension, according to a team source. Umenyiora, 30, has reportedly warmed to the idea of open dialogue, even going as far as to say he might give the Giants a “hometown discount.”          

Should things deteriorate again, however, Umenyiora could be moved to another team because the Giants would much rather prefer to avoid the same drama the summer of 2011 brought. And as one team insider said, New York will “not let this situation stand pat,” meaning something will be done about Umenyiora’s lame duck contract one way or another.   
 
Big Blue notes

» Punter Steve Weatherford was designated with the franchise tag last week. And while the tag means he’ll have to be paid with a salary that is competitive with the averages of the top five punters in the league, it won’t be a costly deal to retain the underrated Super Bowl hero. During his first season with the Giants, Weatherford was statistically a middle of the road punter (he ranked 14th in the NFL with a 45.7-yard gross average and 13th with a 39.2-yard net average). But it was Weatherford’s postseason where he earned his money. Weatherford punted 12 times in the Giants’ NFC Championship Game victory in San Francisco and his 557 punting yards vs. the 49ers easily outdistanced the former postseason record of 422, set by Brad Maynard in the Super Bowl 11 years ago. Weatherford’s performance got even better two weeks later when he dropped a Super Bowl record three punts inside the Patriots’ 10-yard line, dramatically effecting field position. Weatherford will most certainly stay a Giant, as the two sides work on a long-term deal, because should a team try to sign Weatherford while still under the franchise tag, it’ll cost that team two first-round picks as compensation.     

» Quarterback Eli Manning also made news with the restructuring of his contract last week, effectively saving the team nearly $8 million in cap space for 2012. The move put the Giants roughly $7 million under the cap. By restructuring, Manning will earn $1.75 million instead of $10.75 million, reducing his cap total to $9.6 million and not $16.95 million. He’ll then earn balloon payments of $13 million in 2013, $15.15 million the following year and $17.5 in 2015. 
   
» The Giants also re-signed tight end Jake Ballard to a one-year contract, even though his torn ACL won’t make him available anytime soon. Ballard tore the ligament in the Super Bowl and may not be ready for training camp, according to Reese. Should he not progress, it’s a strong possibility that Ballard could be sent to the physically unable to perform (PUP) list which means he wouldn’t be eligible to play until at least Week 6. 
 
» Cornerback Bruce Johnson, who spent last season on injured reserve, also re-signed. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8 for breaking free agent news.

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“It’s been a great ride,” Jacobs said in a statement released by the team. “It’s a great organization, a standup organization. I had fun. Won two Super Bowls here. I accomplished a lot in my career as a professional athlete here. That’s it. It’s been a good ride. Time to move on.”

Jacobs was officially released late Friday afternoon, ending a seven-year career with the Giants. Jacobs was part of both the 2008 and 2012 Super Bowl championship teams.

“Brandon helped us win two world championships,” Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said in a statement Friday. “He always did what was in the best interest of team. No matter what you asked him to do, he performed and played in whatever role we asked him to perform. He really was a team player.
 
“I have always felt like Brandon could be counted on. He’s a guy that is very, very good in meetings for me. He pays attention. He picks up on the message. He loves the excitement of the game. He loves everything about it — the pregame routine, the talking to his teammates, trying to motivate his teammates. He loves every part of it.”

In the end, the decision was as much about money as production on the field. The two sides had restructured Jacobs’s contract last season to make room for a new deal for Ahmad Bradshaw. Jacobs said earlier this offseason that he was willing to do the same in 2012.

The sides could not agree on a new deal, however. Jacobs likely stands to make more money as a free agent.

“Brandon has truly been a great Giant,” general manager Jerry Reese said in a statement. “These times are always very hard for me. We had a very good conversation today. We don’t know what the future holds for Brandon, but we wish only the very best for him and his family.”

Jacobs rushed for just 571 yards on 152 carries in 2011 — the fewest yards he’s had since he backed up Tiki Barber in 2006. He scored seven touchdowns.

Jacobs will always be remembered as a punishing back, making use of his 6-foot-4, 264-pound frame. His dumptrucking of Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather on the first drive and narrowly successful fourth-down run on the final drive of Super Bowl XLII may be the two lasting images of Jacobs’s Giants career.

He finished his Giants career with 4,849 yardsand 56 touchdowns in exactly 100 games.

Follow New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.

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Yet, all 32 teams have flocked to Indianapolis this week to poke, prod and ponder over 300 NFL Draft prospects.

The combine opened on Feb. 22 and wrapped up yesterday after six days of interviews, workouts and, of course, the vaunted 40-yard dash.

The Giants went to the combine as conquering heroes, coming off their fourth Super Bowl win in franchise history. The Jets, well, they left their fans wanting.

Some players have emerged as having all the right metrics.

Metro breaks down a few that could be on the radar of the local teams.

A look at the winners and losers in the NFL Combine so far:

DT Dontari Poe, Memphis
Admit it, Poe was not a player you knew coming into the combine, unless you are an avid follower of Conference USA.

But the defensive tackle, who at 346 pounds was among the biggest players to ever attend the combine, clocked in an impressive 4.98-second time in the 40-yard dash and led all defensive linemen in the bench press.

Poe’s mobility in drills moved him up the leaderboard from a late first-round pick to possibly a top-15 selection.

Giants general manager Jerry Reese has never turned down a mobile pass-rusher, but Poe likely won’t last until the Giants select at No. 32. On the other hand, Poe would be a perfect fit in Rex Ryan’s 3-4 defense.

He could be available mid-first round when the Jets draft, but will general manager Mike Tannenbaum really go with him after taking two defensive linemen last year with their top two picks?

It’s not their top need, but it might be tough to ignore him, given the big numbers he put up this week.

WR Mohamed Sanu, Rutgers
It wasn’t a great NFL Combine for the Rutgers wide receiver, who almost surely dropped out of contention for the first round with his plodding 4.67 in the 40.

But Sanu didn’t hurt his status as a second day selection and teams have to like his big hands and his junior year tape with the Scarlet Knights.

The Jets, who surely will lose Plaxico Burress this offseason — perhaps by choice — could do well to grab Sanu if he falls into the middle of the second round.

His versatility on special teams and out of the Wildcat doesn’t hurt either. He played quarterback coming into college and spent much of his first two seasons playing from Rutgers’ Wild Knight package.

Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd is another wide receiver that has been highly touted for years and he was showcased well in Brian Kelly’s pass-happy offense. His 40 time of 4.46 was good and he showed consistency in drills.

The Giants, who will likely lose Mario Manningham, could use a target like Floyd. The only question mark is an arrest for DUI, which could end up causing him to drop to the end of the first round — and the Giants — on draft day.

RB Vick Ballard, Mississippi State
He became a YouTube sensation for his 40 run in the combine, just not the way he was hoping.

The running back out of Mississippi State followed the momentum of a strong Senior Bowl showing by getting off stride, slipping and falling into a camera. The embarrassing moment cements him as a mid-round pick, but there’s no denying that the powerfully built running back can play.

The Jets, who will need to replace LaDainian Tomlinson in their rotation, know running back is a need, especially with Ryan trying to get back to the ground and pound offense.

 The Giants could slot Ballard in for Brandon Jacobs, who may be cut if they can’t restructure his contract for the second straight year.

Some team will forget this slip-up and remember that the kid was an All-SEC selection.

LB Mychal Kendricks, California
The inside linebacker out of Cal was the standout of the bunch, taking top stop among all linebackers in the 40, vertical jump and broad jump. He went from a mid-round prospect to someone who could easily be taken in the first 75 picks of the draft, if not higher.

A team like the Jets, who might be set to trade away Bart Scott, would covet Kendricks athleticism among a group of linebackers who lack speed and showed their age last season.

Height concerns — he is just 6-feet tall — will keep him from the first round, but the three-year starter will make plays for some team.

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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SportsIllustrated.com writer Tony Pauline tweeted on Saturday night: “Word from the combine: if the Jets cut Bart Scott he could end up changing locker rooms and playing for the Giants.” Two sources speaking to Metro New York on the condition of anonymity corroborated the report.

“It is likely that Bart stays with the Jets next year, especially since the team would owe him a hefty amount if they cut him,” said one team source to Metro New York. “I don’t see the organization making this move. They’ve been reluctant to in the past.”

Scott is coming off a year that was statistically his worst since becoming an established starter in the league. The 10-year veteran, who completed his third year with the Jets last year, had just 66 tackles for the Jets — his lowest total since the 2005 season. The lasting memory of Scott may well be being his exit from the team’s facility at the end of the season. Scott refused to answer questions from the media, but stopped in the middle of the locker room where he gave several photographers “the finger” upon his exit.

It is his free spirit and unmistakable humor that keeps him a fan favorite. Despite the down year, he often takes on thankless jobs which allow the rest of the linebackers to make plays.

“Bart is very happy in north Jersey where he seems to have established roots,” a league source said. “A move to the Giants would make sense for him, much like when Plaxico Burress signed with the Jets this past offseason to keep from moving his family [out of the area]. He’s established himself in the area. If something happens with the Jets, the Giants are the logical choice for him.”

The major issue for Scott may not be his declining production, but where the team switch leaves him on the field. He is an ideal fit in the Jets’ 3-4 system where he can blow up plays, but with the Giants utilizing a 4-3 defense, Scott doesn’t seem as good of a fit.

“I just don’t see him fitting in to their scheme as well,” the league source said.

Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer.

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Jacobs, who restructed his deal prior to this past season to accomodate Ahmad Bradshaw, said yesterday he is willing to do the same this offseason.

The 6-foot-4, 264-pound back spoke to media while promoting his appearance this week on TNA Wrestling, scheduled to air this Thursday.

“As an organization, they have been doing this stuff for years and they know what they have to do if they want to keep me around and indeed I want to be around,” he told ESPN New York yesterday. “I want to retire as a Giant. Those guys have been working in the business long enough to know what they have to do to make it happen.”

Jacobs is due a $500,000 roster bonus if he is still on the roster in March. His base salary for next season, the last of his contract, is $4.4 million.

It was presumed during the season that this could be Jacobs’s last for Big Blue. With Bradshaw signing a four-year, $18 million deal and Jacobs in his last year he would be an easy player to cut.

General manager Jerry Reese spoke to the media last week, but didn’t make any specific comments on which players he woud bring back. He did say that he favored using players from inside the organization. The Giants also have Andre Brown and D.J. Ware on their roster.

Jacobs had just 571 yards rushing in 2011, his lowest total ever.

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The architect of the NFL’s reigning champions said via conference call Thursday that he’ll soon be right back to work, trying to find ways of making sure the Giants properly defend their newly-won title. And also in hopes of finding another Victor Cruz type.   

While many teams try the free agency route, Reese said he’s more liable to look within his own roster to fill any gaps. Unlike divisional rivals Washington, Dallas and Philadelphia, Reese said when it comes to rounding out a championship roster he’d rather just pluck from his own lineups, rather than pay top dollar for a replacement.   
 
“When you look at personnel and look into the future, you always want to look on your roster first before you go out and look at someone else,” Reese said. “More times than not the guy is already on your squad.”    

His best example came last summer when the lockout was lifted and teams were scrambling to fill out their rosters. While teams like the Eagles and Raiders were splurging on Big Blue’s free agents, Reese stayed the course, trusted his scouting department and inquired within. Instead of over-paying for wideout Steve Smith (Eagles) and tight end Kevin Boss (Raiders), Reese shut out the criticism from fans and media alike and stayed convinced that then-unknown talents like Cruz and Jake Ballard would do exactly what the aforementioned defectors did — and even more.   

Cruz, who was a scout-team afterthought at this time last year, had a record-setting season for the Giants and at only $426,000 was the league’s best bargain. Ballard, also a scout-teamer last season, more than admirably filled the shoes of Boss and was a surprise favorite of Eli Manning’s early in the season.   

Such rags to riches stories are the No. 1 reason why Reese said he doesn’t make hasty decisions when it comes to defectors. And instead of gloating or bellowing an “I told you so” to the football world, Reese said he’s already looking at ways to improve his team through their own means.  

“There are some young practice squad guys that we really like and did a lot in helping us with preparation. Hopefully some of those guys will step out of the shadows and fill some voids for us as we move along,” Reese said, adding there’s no free ride for scout-teamers. “They’re on the practice squad for a reason. We don’t have guys on the practice squad just to have them. We have them because we feel they have some redeeming qualities that might help them develop into some players. … There are several guys on the [practice] squad that we feel can develop and compete for jobs next year.”   

Big Blue notes
 
» The Giants had the misfortune of losing two tight ends in Super Bowl XLVI with torn anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) in Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum. Reese said it was bittersweet to see that but added both should return next season. But if not, they’ll naturally have to find the proper replacements: “Obviously those guys are talented but we’ll have to wait and see how they are after the surgeries and see how quickly they get back. Both guys will likely be on the PUP list [physically unable to perform] at the beginning of next season.”   

» Reese said when it comes to replacements, he already has an idea of where to turn: “We talk about Kiwi [linebacker/defensive lineman Mathias Kiwanuka] being our ‘Joker’ on defense, but [fullback/tight end] Bear Pascoe is our ‘Joker’ on offense. He can do a little bit of everything so he’ll be back and we can team him with another practice squad guy in Chris Hopkins. He’s a big kid (6-foot-5, 270 pounds) that practices hard every day and our coaches like and they think he has potential to compete for a job next season as well. … And we’ll also look at the draft for help, too.”   

» Reese added when it comes to guys like Cruz, who takes full advantage of the opportunities, it’s inspiring. He also said it’s not an indictment on his scouting staff because diamonds in the rough happen every year: “Every year there’s a guy that comes out of the shadows on different teams. Sometimes guys just fall through the cracks. You only have seven rounds now so guys like Victor, who has redeeming qualities, might not get drafted. It’s not an exact science. … There are guys like that every year who might not get drafted and there are plenty of guys in the Hall of Fame who didn’t get drafted.”

Follow Giants beat writer Tony Williams on Twitter @TBone8.

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