Giants, Kiwanuka agree to two-year deal

Training camp begins Friday at the Timex Performance Center, and that might be the least interesting thing that happens to the Giants.

Yes, the players will report, begin their meetings and participate in a conditioning test in the early evening. It'll be the first time many of them have been on an NFL field since the 2010 season ended, and the first time ever for some. But the real drama will take place elsewhere as the Giants feverishly try to piece together their team.

You think the wind sprints on the field are tough? You should see the front-office guys huffing and puffing.

The Giants did take care of one piece of lingering business yesterday. They agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Mathias Kiwanuka, the defensive end who missed most of the 2010 season with a bulging disc in his neck. He was cleared to play during the winter and will be able to re-sign with the team when free agency begins at 6 p.m. today. He must pass a pre-contract physical, but there is no reason to believe that's an issue.

The bigger issue is trying to piece post-lockout business together, doing work that usually takes four months in a matter of four days. Since the lockout ended, the Giants have been going full speed on signing players, releasing veterans, negotiating with rookies and assembling what they hope will be a winning team. And so far, they haven't accomplished the priority on their to-do list: re-signing Ahmad Bradshaw.

While the trade of Reggie Bush to the Dolphins does seem to take away one of the possible landing spots for Bradshaw, he did not come to an agreement with the Giants Thursday. Another offensive starter, tight end Kevin Boss, remains unsigned, as does receiver Steve Smith. The Giants now have a hole at fullback after releasing Madison Hedgecock on Thursday.

Osi Umenyiora reportedly will show up for the start of training camp, but as we've seen with players who have threatened holdouts in the past, reporting for camp and participating in camp are two different things. Whether he is on the field or simply there to avoid fines remains to be seen.

And just when you think the day is over, it's time for one of the most hyped meetings in Giants history as Tom Coughlin and Plaxico Burress sit down to talk about the past and, perhaps, the future.

As for Kiwanuka, the news of his agreement was first "reported" by Justin Tuck, who tweeted Thursday, "Kiwi is returning to the big blue. Yes sir."

A more official source quickly confirmed it.

Kiwanuka was one of the Giants' most productive defensive players at the start of the 2010 season, registering four sacks in three games. Depending on where they see him fitting in, his return could spell the end of Umenyiora's tenure with the team. With Kiwanuka able to start at defensive end and Jason Pierre-Paul able to back up Kiwanuka and Tuck, there seems to be little room for Umenyiora and the new contract he desires. Kiwanuka also can play linebacker, though, which could mean a starting role for Umenyiora.

A week ago, when the lockout appeared to be in its final stages, fans were eagerly asking themselves: Are you ready for some football? Now the bigger question is: Are the Giants?