EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Two days after saying his surgically repaired left knee was swelling following almost every practice, Lawrence Tynes now believes he is ready to kick for the New York Giants.

"I am feeling good. We'll see," Tynes said yesterday after finishing his first full week of practice since undergoing arthroscopic surgery in August. "It's OK. I have prepared like I am going to play."

The decision on whether Tynes will kick against the Seattle Seahawks tomorrow rests with coach Tom Coughlin. It won't be an easy one.

John Carney was signed days before the season opener against the Washington Redskins when it became evident Tynes could not kick. All the 44-year-old Carney has done is kick a perfect game, making all nine field goal attempts and all eight extra points.

The 30-year-old Tynes, however, etched his place in Giants history last season by kicking a 47-yard field goal in overtime for a 23-20 win over Green Bay in the NFC title game. He added another field goal in New York's Super Bowl victory over previously unbeaten New England.

Coughlin plans to make a decision on game day, insisting only one placekicker will be active.

Coughlin downplayed Tynes' comments on Wednesday that his knee has been swelling after workouts.

"He tells me he is getting better and stronger," Coughlin said. "Trainers haven't expressed any real concern with that — I just think he is getting better."

Tynes said the swelling in his knee limits his movement, but he expects it to get better with time. Doctors said his recovery time would be six to eight weeks when he was hurt in training camp at the University at Albany. He has been out six weeks.

"There is no pain associated with it," Tynes said of the swelling. "I can play with it."

Now in his 20th season, Carney has said the kicking job is Tynes' and that he is just a caretaker this season. But he said he is preparing to play tomorrow.

"Nothing surprises me in the NFL," Carney said when asked about the possibility of being inactive. "I feel very fortunate to be here and I hope to make the most of it when I am here."

LAW AND ORDER

PHILLIPS GETS 10 YEARS

Former football star Lawrence Phillips was sentenced yesterday in Los Angeles to 10 years in prison, two years after he was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon.

The sentencing was repeatedly delayed while Phillips fought to withdraw a guilty plea in a domestic abuse case that could have led to a stiffer sentence.

Phillips was convicted in 2006 of seven counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

The 33-year-old former Nebraska running back has been jailed since August 2005, when he drove onto a field near Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and his car struck three boys, ages 14 and 15, and a 19-year-old man, who suffered cuts and bruises.

Phillips was allegedly upset after losing a pickup football game to the youths and accused them of stealing some of his possessions.

The St. Louis Rams released Phillips for insubordination in 1997. He signed with the Miami Dolphins, but was later released. In 1999 in NFL Europe, he set league records for rushing and touchdowns with the Barcelona Dragons.

He signed with the San Francisco 49ers later that year, but was released for missing a practice. He also has played in the Canadian Football League.

PANTHERS

PEPPERS FINED $10,000

The NFL has fined Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers $10,000 for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

Referee Ed Hochuli was loudly booed when he threw his flag for roughing-the-passer on the play Sunday, which wiped out Richard Marshall's interception return for a touchdown early in the first quarter in Carolina's 24-9 win. Replays showed Peppers led with his shoulder, but the NFL determined on Friday that Peppers then hit Ryan in the head, drawing the fine and supporting Hochuli's on-field call.

EAGLES

Running back Brian Westbrook (sore ankle) was a full participant in practice for the first time in two weeks yesterday and appears likely to play tomorrow when the Eagles host the Washington Redskins.

"He was able to get through everything," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "It looked like he did it well. We will just see how he feels later today and then tomorrow. Most importantly, we'll see how he feels on Sunday."

JAGUARS

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be without half their starting secondary against Pittsburgh tomorrow night.

Safety Reggie Nelson (bruised knee) and cornerback Drayton Florence (strained groin) will miss the game, coach Jack Del Rio said yesterday. Both players missed practice all week.

REDSKINS

Cornerback Shawn Springs, defensive end Jason Taylor and tackle Stephon Heyer all sat out practice again for the Washington Redskins yesterday, although coach Jim Zorn held out hope Springs would be able to play tomorrow against Philadelphia.

Springs strained a calf muscle in the second half of last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys. Taylor will miss his second game since undergoing emergency calf surgery Sept. 22, and Heyer was listed as doubtful with a sprained shoulder.

SEAHAWKS

Deion Branch will start for Seattle tomorrow against the New York Giants, eight months after the veteran receiver had reconstructive knee surgery.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Branch and Bobby Engram passed their tests of three consecutive practices this week. Both receivers will make their season debut at New York.