NFL

WR looks like old self

Eli Manning, working a two-minute drill, looked to his left, spotted Hakeem Nicks and fired. Nicks straddled the sideline, leaped and came down with the ball. First down, Giants.

It was a play reminiscent of so many Nicks highlights over the years, a play the Giants are anxious to see over and over again after a lost 2012 season for Nicks. He did not participate in any of the team’s organized team activity workouts this spring and did not go full speed at the June minicamp coming off arthroscopic knee surgery, but it appears he is returning to form.

Coach Tom Coughlin made sure to comment about a couple of plays Nicks made that caught his attention, and it does not appear as if Nicks has any restrictions after struggling last season with foot and then knee issues.

This is a big year for Nicks, who is entering the final year of his contract.

“It’s inappropriate to talk about contracts or anything like that,’’ general manager Jerry Reese said, “but to answer your question, obviously we want him to be a Giant for a long time.’’

* It was not all fun and games for the receivers.

“Defensively they covered the deep ball well,” Coughlin said. “I thought the throws were pretty darn good, I like the way we were positioned from the corner spot on the deep balls.’’

CB Prince Amukamara came away with the first interception of camp, making an over-the-shoulder grab on a Manning pass too deep for Rueben Randle. CB Aaron Ross, back after one year with the Jaguars, broke up a David Carr pass intended for Kevin Hardy and Ross a bit later deflected away a pass for Kris Adams.

* The starting linebackers were Keith Rivers, Mark Herzlich and Spencer Paysinger, which came as no surprise with all three returning from last season. The second-team linebackers were Jacquian Williams, Dan Connor and Aaron Curry. Paysinger displayed one of his strengths in a 7-on-7 drill, dropping on coverage to knock away a pass in the hands of TE Brandon Myers.

Coughlin said he cannot remember a camp where the linebacker position was so open.

“Steady, consistent, no mental errors, tackle, tackle opportunities, do that successfully, be in the right position against the pass,’’ Coughlin said when asked what he is looking for from the linebacker candidates.

Curry, who is down to 250 pounds, 15 pounds lighter than when he signed in the spring, had to leave the field because of cramps, Coughlin said.

* David Diehl lined up with the starters at right tackle and James Brewer took the place of Chris Snee (Physically Unable to Perform list) at right guard. First-round pick Justin Pugh played right tackle with the second offensive line.

Snee is coming back from offseason hip surgery, and said he wasn’t shocked he landed on PUP.

“I knew the timeline would be close, that’s why you always set your goal tentatively for the start of camp,’’ Snee said. “I’m not 100 percent, so why rush back?’’