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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- An unapologetic Hakeem Nicks showed up for the New York Giants mandatory minicamp and refused to disclose why he skipped all nine of the teams recent "voluntary" workouts. "Im not here to talk about that," said Nicks, who was surrounded by reporters at his locker on Tuesday. "Im here to talk about me being here right now, so thats what Im doing. Im here. Im happy to be back around my teammates." Coach Tom Coughlin was upset by Nicks absence because the fifth-year wide receiver never informed him that he would be missing the non-contact practices, known as organized team activities. Nicks said he spoke with general manager Jerry Reese about his absence, but would not disclose what was said. "I could have done a better job at reaching out, but I did," Nicks said. "We finally got to talk. We got things straightened out on that end. Coach Coughlin . thats my guy. That relationship cant go sour. I felt where he was coming from. I should have done a better job at reaching out to him, but Im here now and theyre excited to see me." Coughlin also refused to say what was said between the two. However, he was happy Nicks was back although he didnt do much in the afternoon practice. "Hes definitely not in tune with where are," Coughlin said of Nicks. "Weve had nine OTAs and weve thrown at lot at them. If hes around hell pick it up quickly." Nicks, who is returning from off-season knee surgery, insisted that he worked out in North Carolina and that he really didnt miss much, since he is very familiar with the offence after four seasons. Most of the speculation about Nicks absence has focused on his contract and injuries. The 25-year-old Nicks is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him $3.7 million in 2013. There is no doubt he would like a new deal and money equal to what the Giants will probably give Victor Cruz, who is a restricted free agent and not at the minicamp. Cruz is looking for $10 million annually. The Giants offer is in the $7.5 million range. Nicks also has a bitter memory of breaking his right foot in an OTA last year. That slowed him in the preseason, and then, he hurt his left knee in the second week of the regular season. A 1,000-yard receiver in 2010 and 2011, Nicks had 53 catches for 692 yards and three touchdowns last season. Nicks said his knee felt fine on Tuesday. The former first-round pick wasnt sure how much the team would let him do in practice. "I never want to be detrimental in any kind of way to this organization because theyve been nothing but good to me," Nicks said. "But the distraction . The guys told me they dont feel like it was too much of a distraction. I took care of what I need to take care of and Im here now and thats all that matters." Teammates said it was just good to see Nicks on the field. "Obviously, we need him during the preseason and the season for the games," quarterback Eli Manning said. "I do think that being here in the spring is important. But, obviously, I dont want the fans thinking were in trouble because some guys missed some OTAs. Theyre optional. When its mandatory, the guys are here and were all working hard to get better, get sharp." Coughlin said he would like Nicks and Manning to spend some time working out this summer and get on the same page. Guard Kevin Boothe said Nicks walked into the Giants headquarters with his usual smile. "Hakeem is not the type of person who is going to sit on a couch and do nothing," Boothe said. "I am sure he was working hard where ever he was. I am sure the team would have liked him here, but hes a vet. He knows how to handle himself and hell be ready to go." Safety Antrel Rolle downplayed the absence. "Im just glad he is here now," he said. Had Nicks missed the entire mandatory minicamp, the Giants could have fined him $66,000. Nicks said he has spoken with Cruz, who has led the Giants in receiving each of the past two seasons. He would not comment on Cruzs contract negotiations. "Thats his situation," Nicks said. "I talked to Cruz. Hes doing good. His mind is in the right spot. He understands the business side of it. He understands the game as well, but he still loves this team and he still wants to be here." Cruz has refused to discuss his contract talks with the media in recent months. ---- NOTES: Starting centre David Baas (shoulder) , guard Chris Snee (hip) tackle Markus Kuhn (knee) and cornerback-safety Terrell Thomas (knee) are performing rehabilitation work during the minicamp. ... Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has returned from California, where he had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. ... Rookie DE Damontre Moore batted down a pass by Ryan Nassib in an 11-on-11 drill. Moore was the Giants third-round pick; Nassib, the fourth.Custom Mecole Hardman Jersey . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Chiefs Jerseys China .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. http://www.customchiefsjersey.com/ .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Custom Chiefs T-shirts . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Mecole Hardman Jersey Large . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand.Tom Brady and Peyton Manning seem to be forever competitively linked throughout their illustrious careers and now they orchestrate the offences for the top two teams in the pre-season edition of the TSN.ca NFL Power Rankings. No NFL teams is without flaws, so even the top-ranked teams have holes that will need to be addressed in some manner this season. Rankings take injuries and suspensions into account so all the roster movement that has occurred since last season is addressed by the first rankings of the 2013 season. Bradys New England Patriots have endured quite a tumultuous offseason, with major losses on the receiving front, but there is reason to believe that, at this stage of his career, Brady can elevate the production of those in his supporting cast. Mannings Broncos are right behind the top-ranked Pats, having added former New England wide receiver Wes Welker to their receiving corps, though their defence already has some pass-rush questions, regardless of whhether outside linebacker Von Miller ultimately ends up serving a four-game suspension.dddddddddddd San Francisco, coming off a loss in the Super Bowl, is the top-ranked NFC team, with quarterback Colin Kaepernick appearing poised to be the next big thing, even if his preferred target last season, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, is likely to miss most of the season with an Achilles injury. The defending-champion Baltimore Ravens suffered major losses to their championship roster including, most recently, a torn ACL for tight end Dennis Pitta, so they open the year ranked eighth. Some teams on the rise, compared to last years record, include the Carolina Panthers, ranked 12th, and the Detroit Lions ranked 16th. Conversely, the Minnesota Vikings, who were 10-6 in 2012, are ranked 19th. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '