ALBANY, N.Y. – The Super Bowl champion New York Giants reported to training camp just the way Coach Tom Coughlin wanted — humble, looking to improve and hoping to take the next step toward building a dynasty that others in their own division can only chirp about.

“It’s going to be another tough year for us,” defensive captain Justin Tuck said Thursday as the final players reported to training camp at the University at Albany. “We know what our schedule looks like, so it’s important for us to work as if we didn’t make the playoffs. Work as if we didn’t win the Super Bowl because all that’s going to be needed to get back to where we want to be this year.”

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New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning stretches on the field on the opening day of training camp in Albany, N.Y. Manning and the Giants are not the preseason Super Bowl favorites despite winning their second title in five years in February. The Associated Press

The Giants (13-7) are not the preseason choice to repeat despite having 20 projected starters back who saw significant playing time last season. What people tend to remember is that this was a team that fell to 7-7 after getting thoroughly beaten by last-place Washington late in the season. The season seemed over.

The unexpected happened after that. The Giants turned things around and won their second title in five seasons by winning their final six games, beating New England in the title game in February.

The festivities and parties followed, highlighted by a parade through New York’s “Canyon of Heroes,” a trip to the White House and a much ballyhooed ring ceremony in which Tuck talked about the possibility of starting a dynasty, a topic Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick brought up later in the summer when discussing the Eagles, a team that has never won a Super Bowl.

Tuck defended Vick’s right to say that, saying he was just showing a strong belief in his team, and that it wasn’t a slight at the Giants.

“We’re not a dynasty,” Tuck said. “We have some work to do ourselves. Right now there is not one here (in the division) yet. Hopefully we can become that first dynasty.”

n The Giants placed wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and defensive lineman Chris Canty on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp.

Nicks broke his right foot in Organized Team Activities in late May. Coughlin said the starter has not suffered any setbacks, but is not ready to play. Canty had arthroscopic knee surgery in February to “clean out” a few things.

PATRIOTS: At least on the surface, everything appears to be just fine between receiver Wes Welker and the New England Patriots, despite the two failing to agree on a long-term contract this offseason.

“Everyone tried. I tried, they tried and it just didn’t work out,” said Welker, who signed a $9.5 million franchise tender on May 15. “It’s in the past and we’re moved onto this season, which we expect to be a good one.”

Coming off one of his best seasons, when he had a league-high 122 receptions for 1,569 yards and a career-best nine touchdowns, Welker knows it’s a new year, and proving yourself, he said, comes with the territory.

“There’s no year where you don’t need to prove it. It’s like any other year,” Welker said. “The contract and everything else is out of my mind. It’s really just going out there and focusing on playing good ball.”

AFTER AN OFFSEASON marked by Junior Seau’s suicide and scores of lawsuits over brain injuries, the NFL is launching a comprehensive wellness program for current and retired players — including a confidential mental health Life Line.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an email announcing NFL Total Wellness that player health remains the highest priority.

An outside agency will run NFL Life Line, a free consultation service to inform players and family members about the signs of a crisis, symptoms of common problems, as well as where to get help.

SAINTS: Suspended linebacker Jonathan Vilma, two former teammates and New Orleans assistant head coach Joe Vitt all told a federal judge under oath that Vilma never put up cash for tackles that injured opponents.

Vilma is trying to persuade U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan to temporarily allow him to return to the Saints while his lawsuit against Commissioner Roger Goodell proceeds.

JETS: All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis reported for training camp. Revis said last month that he was unsure if he would report for training camp while looking for the Jets to rework the $46 million, four-year deal he signed in 2010.

• LaRon Landry was activated from the physically unable to perform list after passing his physical. Landry had been rehabbing an Achilles/heel injury that cut short his season last year with Washington.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville started camp without running back Maurice Jones-Drew and first-round pick Justin Blackmon.

Jones-Drew failed to show up for check-in, still seeking a new contract. Owner Shad Khan and General Manager Gene Smith say they have no plans to negotiate a new deal with the star.

Blackmon is one of a few rookies who remain unsigned. The fifth overall pick pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI in Oklahoma earlier this week. The Jaguars want protection in case the former Oklahoma State receiver has another off-field incident.

49ERS: Safety Dashon Goldson signed his $6.2 million franchise tender and reported to San Francisco’s training camp on time. A first-time Pro Bowler last season, Goldson was a key member of one of the NFL’s top defenses.

LIONS: Ndamukong Suh is being sued for just more than $1 million by a woman who claims she was injured in a December car crash in Oregon involving the Detroit star.

Saadia Van Winkle accuses Suh of negligence and recklessness, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit also accuses Suh of lying to 911 operators about whether anyone was injured.

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