Kiwanuka expects to start in training camp over Osi

Mathias Kiwanuka has two goals for the upcoming season.

“Number one is winning games,” he said.

“Number two is staying in the lineup.”

Kiwanuka has been playing defensive end with the first unit this spring and expects he’ll be there in training camp.

“There’s no doubts that that’s where I belong,” Kiwanuka said of being a starter.

“I’m focused, I feel like I’m capable. I’m ready to fill that role and after that it’s just play football and let everything take care of itself.”

Kiwanuka will battle Osi Umenyiora for the starting job. On Tuesday Umenyiora suggested that he, not Kiwanuka, will emerge as the better player during training camp. He even gave a not-so-subtle swipe at Kiwanuka’s credentials, suggesting that his own two Pro Bowl appearances should make him a front-runner.

Kiwanuka did not take exceptional offense to those remarks when asked about them yesterday. “I’ve been to Hawaii,” he said, smiling. “It’s pretty nice.”

Wacky winds

The winds at Tuesday’s practice at New Meadowlands Stadium were nothing near what they’ll be in December, but they were still quirky enough to play with the mind of kicker Lawrence Tynes.

“The way we kicked field goals yesterday was into the wind, and then I went to the 50 and looked at the same upright and the wind was at my back,” Tynes said. “That was my first day in there. I think it can be tricky, but as the home team we’ll have to use that to our advantage.”

Giant steps

DE Justin Tuck sat out the afternoon practice with a sore foot . . . RB Ahmad Bradshaw, who underwent three surgeries on his feet and ankle this offseason, sat out both practices with what Tom Coughlin called “soreness” . . . CB Corey Webster jammed his finger breaking up a pass late in the morning session but returned in the afternoon . . . WR Hakeem Nicks (toe) is practicing once a day . . . Today is the final workout of the offseason.