Two names immediately popped to mind Sunday once it was determined New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora would miss the 2008 season because of a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.

One is Michael Strahan, the other Mathias Kiwanuka.

Will the Giants reach out to Strahan and ask him to come back for one more season to replace his former bookend buddy? Will Strahan be receptive to any such request?

Or will the Giants look to return linebacker Kiwanuka to his original position of defensive end? And are they well enough off at linebacker to consider that move?

Tom Coughlin said yesterday he really had not given full thought to what adjustments the Giants must make to replace their only Pro Bowl player from their championship season. He has no control over the Strahan situation if the Fox TV personality decides to stick to retirement.

He does, however, have the final say on Kiwanuka.

"I really haven't had a chance to talk to him," Coughlin said on a conference call. "So I am not going to do a lot of commenting until that time. I think it is in the best interest of our team and our player that he hears anything that I have to say from me to him first."

That sounds like Coughlin may at least discuss the possibility with Kiwanuka, the third-year man who is beginning to look like he can excel as a strong-side linebacker. His great wingspan and athletic ability certainly fit the position. And Saturday night he made an extraordinary play in pass coverage tracking down Jets running back Thomas Jones.

"That's a question for upper management," Kiwanuka said Saturday night when asked about returning to the defensive line. "I don't make the decisions around here, so I can't speak intelligently about that."

Should Kiwanuka return to defensive end, the Giants would have veteran Danny Clark and Gerris Wilkinson, plus rookie Bryan Kehl and special teamers Zak DeOssie and Tank Daniels to play outside linebacker. Middle linebacker Chase Blackburn also can play on the outside.

As for Strahan, Coughlin did visit with him when the Giants' all-time sack leader showed up at training camp in Albany. "The only thing I have talked to Michael about is his new challenge, moving forward in his new assignment," Coughlin said. "And he was very excited about that."

Strahan is vacationing in Greece, and his agent, Tony Agnone, indicated Sunday the Giants had not contacted him about a comeback. Strahan was scheduled to make $4 million in the final year of his contract, but was seeking more to tack on a 16th season to his career. He recently said he lost some weight but was keeping himself in shape — more TV studio shape than football shape.

Of course the Giants could leave Kiwanuka at linebacker and Strahan in the studio and look to bring in a veteran defensive end from another team. Or they could go with what they have: veteran Renaldo Wynn, young Dave Tollefson and free agent rookie Wallace Gilberry, all rotating with Justin Tuck.

"I am sure that (general manager) Jerry Reese and I and ownership will look long and hard at whatever options are out there," Coughlin said.

No matter which way it plays out, however, the Giants will not be as strong a team without Umenyiora rushing from the right side. "It was obviously the news I didn't want to hear," Coughlin said of learning from Dr. Russell Warren, the team's orthopedic surgeon, that Umenyiora would undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday.

Warren had told Coughlin on Saturday night that Umenyiora had not suffered ligament damage, which put an optimistic spin on the situation.

"There was no attempt not to make us aware of the possible severity of the injury," Coughlin added. "Nothing had been done yet. There was no MRI and they could not conduct a full examination."

Umenyiora was injured while trying to rush Jets quarterback Brett Favre in the second quarter. He landed awkwardly on his left leg but got up and finished the play before settling back to the turf.

"It is an extensive injury that takes considerable time to heal," Coughlin said. "The doctors have told me this will be a four-month recovery."

Which means Umenyiora would miss at least the entire regular season, not a very comforting note for a veteran coach trying to defend a Super Bowl title.