Dottino: Uncertainty Abounds In Giants Camp

By Paul Dottino
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EAST RUTHERFORD – The Giants may have been afforded sunny skies during training camp, but so much remains unclear.

Perhaps we will be given some of the answers Monday because Sunday did nothing but muddy the waters – and little of this had anything to do with Plaxico Burress's surprising early-morning signing with the Jets.

Osi Umenyiora took his physical and went to see Dr. Russ Warren before arriving at practice and riding the stationary bike. Simple enough, right? Wrong. Coach Tom Coughlin revealed the lineman visited with Jerry Reese on Saturday to try to settle their impasse, but did not get specific. Coughlin said it was good they talked and it's believed Reese and Umenyiora spelled out their difference of opinion over what Reese meant when he promised a hefty raise in 2008 in return for high production after two years.

Whether they understood each other is unknown, but one report suggested Reese told Umenyiora another team would need to offer a first-round pick for the Giants to consider a trade. The same report also said Umenyiora would prefer to be shipped to Seattle. All the while, Coughlin and his players continued to detail how much Umenyiora is needed on their defense. Umenyiora has not issued any public comments but may speak to the media Monday.

*Coughlin admitted to being disappointed that Burress decided against returning to the Giants, expressed respect for the way the receiver conducted himself in last Friday's visit and wished him well as he rebuilds his career. Coughlin also explained that Burress was made aware of the Giants' financial parameters and those may have played a part in the player's decision to take a $3 million guarantee from the Jets. Remember, the Jets restructured four contracts to make room for Nnamdi Asomugha (who spurned them for the Eagles), so they had plenty of spare cash to make a big splash.

*Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to be visiting the area today, but it's unknown whether he'll stop in on the Giants, who have made him an offer and will entertain Atlanta's Jason Snelling as Plan B today. Bradshaw hoped to use offers from the Redskins and Bengals as leverage, but both teams acquired running backs Sunday.

*There's been no word on talks with Prince Amukamara, Kevin Boss or Steve Smith. But some teammates said they understand Smith (knee) is expected to miss the first month of the season.

*Former Giants backup quarterback David Carr, who had been cut by the 49ers, agreed to a deal to return to the Giants. He will battle Sage Rosenfels, whose reported base salary of $3 million puts his roster spot in jeopardy, for the No. 2 job.

*Backup center Adam Koets (knee) was placed on the physically unable to perform list and the team agreed to terms with former Bears guard Herman Johnson (6-7, 360).

Giants fans, are you upset with the lack of signings?