EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- An unapologetic Hakeem Nicks showed up for the New York Giants mandatory minicamp and refused to disclose why he skipped all nine of the teams recent "voluntary" workouts. "Im not here to talk about that," said Nicks, who was surrounded by reporters at his locker on Tuesday. "Im here to talk about me being here right now, so thats what Im doing. Im here. Im happy to be back around my teammates." Coach Tom Coughlin was upset by Nicks absence because the fifth-year wide receiver never informed him that he would be missing the non-contact practices, known as organized team activities. Nicks said he spoke with general manager Jerry Reese about his absence, but would not disclose what was said. "I could have done a better job at reaching out, but I did," Nicks said. "We finally got to talk. We got things straightened out on that end. Coach Coughlin . thats my guy. That relationship cant go sour. I felt where he was coming from. I should have done a better job at reaching out to him, but Im here now and theyre excited to see me." Coughlin also refused to say what was said between the two. However, he was happy Nicks was back although he didnt do much in the afternoon practice. "Hes definitely not in tune with where are," Coughlin said of Nicks. "Weve had nine OTAs and weve thrown at lot at them. If hes around hell pick it up quickly." Nicks, who is returning from off-season knee surgery, insisted that he worked out in North Carolina and that he really didnt miss much, since he is very familiar with the offence after four seasons. Most of the speculation about Nicks absence has focused on his contract and injuries. The 25-year-old Nicks is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him $3.7 million in 2013. There is no doubt he would like a new deal and money equal to what the Giants will probably give Victor Cruz, who is a restricted free agent and not at the minicamp. Cruz is looking for $10 million annually. The Giants offer is in the $7.5 million range. Nicks also has a bitter memory of breaking his right foot in an OTA last year. That slowed him in the preseason, and then, he hurt his left knee in the second week of the regular season. A 1,000-yard receiver in 2010 and 2011, Nicks had 53 catches for 692 yards and three touchdowns last season. Nicks said his knee felt fine on Tuesday. The former first-round pick wasnt sure how much the team would let him do in practice. "I never want to be detrimental in any kind of way to this organization because theyve been nothing but good to me," Nicks said. "But the distraction . The guys told me they dont feel like it was too much of a distraction. I took care of what I need to take care of and Im here now and thats all that matters." Teammates said it was just good to see Nicks on the field. "Obviously, we need him during the preseason and the season for the games," quarterback Eli Manning said. "I do think that being here in the spring is important. But, obviously, I dont want the fans thinking were in trouble because some guys missed some OTAs. Theyre optional. When its mandatory, the guys are here and were all working hard to get better, get sharp." Coughlin said he would like Nicks and Manning to spend some time working out this summer and get on the same page. Guard Kevin Boothe said Nicks walked into the Giants headquarters with his usual smile. "Hakeem is not the type of person who is going to sit on a couch and do nothing," Boothe said. "I am sure he was working hard where ever he was. I am sure the team would have liked him here, but hes a vet. He knows how to handle himself and hell be ready to go." Safety Antrel Rolle downplayed the absence. "Im just glad he is here now," he said. Had Nicks missed the entire mandatory minicamp, the Giants could have fined him $66,000. Nicks said he has spoken with Cruz, who has led the Giants in receiving each of the past two seasons. He would not comment on Cruzs contract negotiations. "Thats his situation," Nicks said. "I talked to Cruz. Hes doing good. His mind is in the right spot. He understands the business side of it. He understands the game as well, but he still loves this team and he still wants to be here." Cruz has refused to discuss his contract talks with the media in recent months. ---- NOTES: Starting centre David Baas (shoulder) , guard Chris Snee (hip) tackle Markus Kuhn (knee) and cornerback-safety Terrell Thomas (knee) are performing rehabilitation work during the minicamp. ... Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has returned from California, where he had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. ... Rookie DE Damontre Moore batted down a pass by Ryan Nassib in an 11-on-11 drill. Moore was the Giants third-round pick; Nassib, the fourth. Arjen Robben Jersey . 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ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- In every game theyve played this season, the Detroit Lions have been trailing or tied at some point in the final two minutes of regulation.Perhaps thats why they approached last weekends predicament at Minnesota with so much poise.Down three with 17 seconds remaining and no timeouts, Matthew Stafford completed a 27-yard pass to Andre Roberts. Then the Lions calmly rushed to the line, and Stafford was able to spike the ball, setting up Matt Praters 58-yard field goal that tied it. Detroit beat the Vikings 22-16 in overtime .I think you have to attribute it to the guys that we have on the field, coach Jim Caldwell said. They function pretty well in tight situations. Its that old saying about, you dont rise to the occasion but you sink to the level of your preparation, and our guys have prepared I think pretty well.The Lions (5-4) have had plenty of drama already this season, with every game decided by seven points or fewer. They needed field goals in the final two minutes to beat Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Los Angeles -- and Praters kick against Minnesota saved Sundays game. Detroit also beat Washington last month on a touchdown with 16 seconds remaining.Add it all up, and the Lions are a half-game out of first place in the NFC North as they head into their bye week. Its a far cry from where Detroit was during its open date last season, which came after the Lions got off to a 1-7 start.Detroit shook up its front office during its bye week last season, firing general manager Martin Mayhew and team president Tom Lewand. The Lions won six of their final eight games after that. It wasnt enough to salvage the season, but the playoffs are in reach in 2016.After falling behind 16-13 on Sunday when Minnesota scored a touchdownn with 23 seconds left, the Lions took over at their own 25.dddddddddddd Golden Tate caught an 8-yard pass and went out of bounds, then Stafford found Roberts in the middle of the field.Detroit hustled to the line, being careful to line up properly and avoid a penalty. Stafford spiked the ball with 2 seconds left, and Praters kick was down the middle.That is perfect execution from everybody, said Tate, who ended up scoring the winning touchdown in overtime. That situation with 23 seconds and no timeouts, I wont say were done, and mentally you know it is not over until it says zero on the clock.Caldwell said his players practice situations like that and have developed confidence.We go through every conceivable situation in the league, he said. If we see some that are a little precarious and a little tough ... well say, `Hey, Im going to use that one for our mock this particular week. We take those real-life examples and utilize those to try to test our team. More often than not, we take a few timeouts off of it so we make them operate with no timeouts rather than giving them a crutch.If the season ended now, the Lions would be in the playoffs as a wild card. After their weekend off, they have a winnable home game against a last-place Jacksonville team, and their final three home games after that are against NFC North opponents.Detroit has been in some difficult spots this season, but the Lions have turned enough of those late-game deficits into wins that theyll have a lot to play for down the stretch.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Discount Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys Free Shipping Cheapest College Jerseys Sale Cheap Football Jerseys China Nike NFL Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys From China MLB Jerseys Outlet Canada Wholesale NBA Jerseys Canada Store Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Cheap Authentic Jerseys Canada ' ' '