EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Sprinting down the field after catching a screen pass, New York Giants halfback Ahmad Bradshaw couldn't help but hear the pounding of feet as a defender chased him down.

Glancing over his shoulder, Bradshaw got a surprise at the Giants' voluntary workout yesterday.

The player closing the gap was defensive end Osi Umenyiora, the two-time Pro Bowler who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

"I felt him behind me," Bradshaw said. "I always knew Osi had those wheels. I felt him and said, 'Wow that Osi.' It's crazy. He's been working hard and you can tell just by the speed he showed today."

Umenyiora earned his second Pro Bowl berth and helped the Giants win the Super Bowl in 2007 by recording 13 sacks, including six in a game against the Philadelphia.

His role was expected to expand with the retirement of Michael Strahan after the 2007 season, but Umenyiora missed all of 2008 after tearing the lateral meniscus in his left knee in a preseason game against the New York Jets in August.

After months of rehabilitation, Umenyiora said his body feels great.

"But football shape is different than regular shape," he added.

Umenyiora is just as quick to point out that the injury hasn't taken anything away from his game.

"I still feel like I'm one of the best, if not the best defensive end in football right now," he said. "I feel quick. I feel explosive. I don't feel like I should be stopped one on one."

Giants left tackle David Diehl has lined up against Umenyiora in the workouts and he can see how excited Umenyiora is to be on the field. He also agrees with his 27-year-old buddy.

"He has come back with full intentions not only to be one of the leaders on our defense but to be a dominating football player," Diehl said. "It's exciting to see him. It rallies people around him and I'm excited because he is going to push me. We push each other. He is back full steam ahead and he is looking to make a ruckus."

BILLS

CORNERS HURTING

Injuries could force Buffalo Bills starting cornerbacks Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin to miss the remainder of the team's spring mini-camp practices.

Though both have begun taking part in individual drills, coach Dick Jauron said yesterday he's not sure whether either will be cleared for full practice for the Bills' final four sessions next week.

McGee has been out since hurting his right shoulder on May 27. McKelvin also has been out since May 27 because of an infection to his middle right finger.

COLTS

VINATIERI RECOVERING

Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri had surgery on his right hip this week and is expected to be ready for the regular season.

Vinatieri, one of the NFL's great clutch kickers, was treated by Dr. Marc Phillipon, who operated on Yankees star Alex Rodriguez.

The Colts have not given a timetable on how much time Vinatieri may miss, other than to say he should be able to play in the opener Sept. 13 against Jacksonville.

"I kind of would fall back to Dr. Phillipon's directions and he said he would be ready for the season," coach Jim Caldwell said. "So we'll follow his lead in that regard."

EAGLES

WESTBROOK ON MEND

Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook had surgery on his right ankle yesterday and is expected to be ready for the regular season.

The procedure was done in Baltimore by specialist Dr. Mark Myerson. He removed scar tissue and bone fragments from the ankle, which Westbrook initially hurt last season in Week 3 against Pittsburgh.

He said he did not expect Westbrook to be ready for preseason play.

Veterans are scheduled to report to camp July 29.

FALCONS

DRAFTEES SIGN

The Atlanta Falcons have signed cornerback William Middleton, their fifth-round draft pick, and defensive tackle Vance Walker, their seventh-round selection.

Middleton, an Atlanta native, had seven career interceptions at Furman, including four in his senior season. Walker had 13 sacks and 110 tackles in his career at Georgia Tech.