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It didn't take long for right defensive end Osi Umenyiora to return to the good graces of the Giants.The veteran ran with the first team defense, ahead of second-year pro Jason Pierre-Paul, in his initial training camp practice this year. Umenyiora sat out the start of camp, participating only in some meetings and riding a stationary bike during practice, in a contract stalemate that included a brief 48-hour window to seek a trade.Last week, he visited a specialist in Atlanta last week to have his balky knee checked out.After hearing a second medical opinion on what is believed to be a recurrence of a meniscus injury, Umenyiora told The Sports Xchange's Patti Traina that he'd be fine.It is always good to have all your guys and everybody is practicing and back, quarterback Eli Manning said. If you can eliminate distractions, that is always a positive.Meanwhile, Pierre-Paul, a first-round pick in 2010, had two sacks and a pressure that led to an interception in the preseason opener against the Panthers. The raw but athletically gifted Pierre-Paul is expected to rotate at both defensive end positions and Justin Tuck, the starter at left end, could play inside in a pass-rushing package as part of the team's nickel defense.Basically it is going to be a rotation again and the coaches already told me that I am going to be working both sides, said Pierre-Paul. I am not going to be on one side. I will be playing right end and left defensive end. That is how I played last year. That's basically it.Tuck told the N.Y. Daily News that he doubts all of the contract-related drama has ended just because Umenyiora is on the practice field.I mean, he's not happy with his contract, said Tuck. Everybody knows that.Coach Tom Coughlin said the team will monitor Umenyiora's knee, give him some practice time off when needed and hopes the drama is in the rearview mirror.I hope so and that's all I am going on. He is here and he wants to work, said Coughlin. He wants to be apart of the team and we certainly want him to be but we want it all. We don't want part of it, we want it all and I am hoping that's the way it is.Coughlin didn't attribute it to Umenyiora's return, but did say Monday's practice was spirited.I thought the practice was very good. He jumped right in there and tries to beat the ball like he normally does. It was good to see, Coughlin said. Again, it is a nice battle for the left tackle on that side and JPP going to both sides serves us well in terms of the rotation.Copyright C 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved. PrintEmail a FriendFacebookTwitterStumble UponGoogleYahooDiggDeliciousShare