Hakeem Nicks: 'I'm here right now'

Hakeem Nicks kept the New York Giants waiting to see him throughout OTAs. So, when he finally showed up on Tuesday for the start of the team's mandatory mini-camp it was only fitting that Nicks kept a throng of assembled media waiting until nearly the end of an hour-long open locker room before making an appearance.

Nicks, his voice barely above a whisper and the crowd around his locker making him even more difficult to hear, did not share much during his session with reporters. He refused to acknowledge that his decision to skip OTAs had anything to do with his contract, and didn't really share any reason for not attending the voluntary workouts.

"I’m not here to talk about that," Nicks said of his absence from OTAs. "I’m here to talk about me being here right now, so that’s what I’m doing. I’m here. I’m happy to be back around my teammates.

"I never want to be detrimental in any kind of way to this organization because they’ve been nothing but good to me, but the distraction ... I took care of what I need to take care of and I’m here now and that’s all that matters."

As for how much Nicks might do once the Giants take the field for practice Nicks, who had knee surgery after the 2012 season, said "we haven't really discussed it yet."

Giants' quarterback Eli Manning was glad to see Nicks at the Timex Performance Center.

"It should be good to have him here and see what he can do and go out there and have a good practice," Manning said. "I’m looking forward to having these last three practices and keep working on getting better, working on our offense, improving on things."

Nicks said he spent his time in North Carolina working out. He said missing classroom time during OTAs was not a big issue.

"Nothing too much is new for me in this offense, so it’s just basically getting back into the routine," he said. "Everything is just like clockwork to me now with this offense."

Nicks has one year remaining on his contract. When pressed he refused to discuss it. "I don’t really talk about my contract in the media," he said.

Nicks did admit that he "could have done a better job reaching out" to coach Tom Coughlin and letting him know he would not be attending OTAs. Nicks said today was the first time he had talked to the coach.

"We finally got to talk, so we got things straight," Nicks added. "Coach Coughlin that's my guy. That relationship can't go sour."