NFL

Spotlight on Fewell, Umenyiora at Giants camp

Giants #21 Kenny Phillips. (Anthony J. Causi/New York Post)

Phillip Dillard (Joseph E. Amaturo)

A relatively quiet, orderly and low-key off-season for the Giants followed an astonishingly dreadful close to a 2009 swoon that resulted in no playoff appearance for the first time in five years. One week from today, the Giants open up another training camp at the University at Albany needing to wipe away the bitter taste of what they left behind.

Once again, the Giants head in with a stable offense and revamped defense, huge expectations and several concerns that could lead them to the heights or the depths, depending on what transpires in the coming months. It all starts taking shape next Sunday.

Here’s a look at the major storylines for training camp 2010:

KEY ISSUE: The next three weeks should provide plenty of evidence whether the broken defense is on the mend or still in disrepair. There’s a load of new moving parts to be incorporated, starting with first-year coordinator Perry Fewell and his upbeat, emotional style and continuing with the most recent addition, veteran linebacker Keith Bulluck, signed yesterday.

There are two new veteran safeties (Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant) and a ton of intrigue, drama, talent and bodies along the line. There are also dicey situations at two linebacker spots, though Bulluck could solve the problem in the middle if his left knee is sound. How this all meshes together will determine how effectively the Giants attend to business this season.

KEY PLAYER: Osi Umenyiora. A strange choice, perhaps, but how this proud and stubborn veteran defensive end comports himself on the field and off it will go a long way in setting the tone for a player and defensive unit that both need image reparations. A gifted — though at times one-dimensional — pass rusher, Umenyiora wasn’t very fearsome in 2009 and at times was unwatchable in his shabby containment against the run. He barked this offseason about wanting out if he’s not returned to the starting lineup, but regaining his spot with the first team won’t be easy with Mathias Kiwanuka providing the competition.

Does Umenyiora truly accept the challenge and work like a man possessed, or does he pay lip service to his motivation without really delivering the goods?

HEALTH WATCH: All eyes will be on safety Kenny Phillips, a rising star player who made it through just two games last season before going down with a worrisome left knee injury that needed dreaded microfracture surgery to repair.

There are no guarantees with that procedure, but Phillips said he’s raring to go and will be able to get on the field full-tilt in camp. We’ll see.

If he’s ready, he almost definitely is going to be a one-a-day guy, and after every workout queries as to how he’s feeling will bombard him. A close second here is running back Ahmad Bradshaw, coming off three surgeries — screws were inserted to stabilize both feet and bone spurs were removed from his right ankle. That’s some overhaul for a player who makes his living cutting on a dime and putting great strain on his lower extremities. As for Bulluck, he’s seventh months removed from reconstructive knee surgery, so he will have to be closely monitored.

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE . . . Receiver Ramses Barden (Can he make a leap forward in his second year?); offensive lineman Will Beatty (Is he ready to win the starting left tackle job?); punter Matt Dodge (Is the rookie the heir apparent to the retired Jeff Feagles?); rookie second-round pick Linval Joseph (He’s a man-sized 319 pounds; can he push for playing timein the defensive tackle rotation?)

KEY ROOKIES: There’s no doubt there’s a crowd lined up defensive end but make no mistake, if first-round pick Jason Pierre-Paul hones his remarkable physical skills the Giants will find a place for him somewhere.

The guy has a limited resume based on his relative inexperience at South Florida, but he’ll be able to do things athletically that few can duplicate. Another to watch: Fourth-round pick Phillip Dillard. Sometimes you get a feel for a newcomer and the vibes Dillard at middle linebacker gives off are that he’s mature beyond his years.

Whether this Nebraska product is physically up to the demands of the role remains to be seen, but he already has displayed some leadership traits.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com