NFL

HEALTHIER ( & WEALTHIER?)

Plaxico Burress reveals that last summer, while he was nursing a tender left ankle, he purposely broke curfew during training camp “a couple of times because I was bored.”

The Giant wide receiver, who revealed the rule-breaking in his new book, does not expect to pull any similar stunts at training camp this year.

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“I’ll be practicing, and hopefully I’ll be too tired,” a chuckling Burress yesterday told The Post.

Having Burress in attendance in Albany when players report July 24 would be a vital cog in the Giants’ engine as they embark on the defense of their Super Bowl crown.

Back on June 11, the towering receiver shocked the Giants by declaring he made a “business decision” to not take the field for the mandatory mini-camp until he received a new contract. He also strongly insinuated he would not work during training camp unless more money came his way.

No deal has been signed just yet, but Burress anticipates something in the next two weeks.

“I’m getting good feedback,” he said. “I think it’s going to get done. I’m not concerned about it. I don’t want to go anywhere. I’m happy here in New York. I just want to make sure I’m here for a long time.”

He added he has “no question” the Giants will come up with a new contract for him, even though he has three years left on the deal he signed as a free agent prior to the 2005 season. Burress is scheduled to make $3.25 million this season and $7.25 million in the next two years.

The Giants clearly were not happy Burress went public with his demands. Burress said he discussed the issue recently with general manager Jerry Reese.

“It was a good conversation, wasn’t negative at all,” Burress said.

Sounding refreshed and confident, Burress is relieved his many physical ailments have finally mended. He tore ligaments off the bone of his right ankle in the second game of last season and barely practiced the rest of the way.

In the NFC Championship Game in Green Bay, he shredded ligaments in his left pinky and separated his shoulder.

And then, days before Super Bowl XLII, he slipped in the shower and sprained his medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

He needed strong pain-killers to suit up against the Patriots and was not effective until the final minute, when he burned cornerback Ellis Hobbs for the game-winning touchdown catch.

Burress was able to avoid offseason surgery and is certain the rest has had restorative powers.

“I’m close to 100 percent,” Burress said. “The knee is 100 percent healthy. The shoulder is 100 percent healthy. The ankle is probably about 90 percent. I played on it so long with it hurt, that’s why it took so long to heal up.

“I’m looking forward to it being 100 percent in a few weeks. I’m excited to be playing when I’m 100 percent. I don’t remember what it feels like to play pain-free.

“My goal is to practice every day in training camp to see if me and Eli [Manning] can get to another level. Our goal is to be the best duo in the league. I can’t wait to get out there, running around, get back to some of my old tricks.”

Last week, Burress said, he spoke with his buddy, Jeremy Shockey, the disgruntled tight end, and is not certain he will see Shockey in Albany.

“Jeremy has to do what’s best for Jeremy,” Burress said.

“I don’t want to be so selfish by saying I want him back if he’s not happy. Put a guy in a situation where he is happy.”

Burress said Shockey – currently vacationing in Panama – told him he would like the Giants “to act like they like him and want him around.”

paul.schwartz@nypost.com