NFL

JINTS GET FEELING OF SAFETY WITH ROOKIE

There’s a strong belief among those in the Giants front office and coaching staff that first-round draft pick Kenny Phillips will challenge for playing time sooner rather than later. His first chance to make an impression comes today during the start of the two-day Giants rookie mini-camp at Giants Stadium.

This will be the first look at Phillips wearing Giants colors after he started and excelled for three years in Miami orange, green and white. Phillips will be one of the seven draft picks in attendance, along with 12 undrafted free agents signed by the team, and others in for tryouts. Of all the newcomers, Phillips is thought to be the closest to being NFL-ready and the Giants will not be surprised at all if he works his way into the lineup at free safety before very long.

“I think that he will compete,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “Obviously he is a young player with a lot to learn. He is going to come in and he is going to be humble and try to learn as much as he possibly can, but there is no doubt he has to be excited because of the opportunity.”

Phillips on the day he was drafted said he wanted to “come in, learn and try to make a statement.” Asked if starting as a rookie was part of that statement, Phillips added, “That is the goal.”

This is no brash rookie, though.

“I’m going to come in, listen to the veteran players and learn from the coaches and just try to get my feet wet,” Phillips said.

Also on the scene will be receiver Mario Manningham, taken in the third round out of Michigan. Manningham paid a visit to Giants Stadium prior to the draft for interviews and workouts and the Giants were convinced that despite some off-field issues he was worth keeping on their draft board. Manningham this weekend will surely be put through the media ringer, with plenty of questions about his arrest in April of 2007 on possession of Vicodin (charges were later dropped) and his admitted lie at the Combine in February that he never tested positive for marijuana.

During passing and offensive drills, all eyes will be on Andre’ Woodson, the record-breaking quarterback from Kentucky who was selected in the sixth round. Woodson will be given every chance to earn the third-string quarterback job, as the Giants want to develop a young player at that position. Another quarterback, Willie Copeland (Valdosta State), will be on the field for a tryout.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com