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And as Tom Coughlin announced that logical move, the Giants were contacting Michael Strahan, attempting to gauge his interest in ending what would be a very brief retirement, and general manager Jerry Reese was calling Strahan's agent, Tony Agnone, to inquire about the same thing.

"Jerry said, 'Hey, you think Michael would have some interest?' " Agnone told The Post. "Obviously there's not any Pro Bowl defensive ends out there except him. I'm sure there's a part of him that wants to play. Do I think it's a big part? No."

Strahan, vacationing in Greece, retired June 9 saying he was done with football. During his visit to training camp in Albany, he said, "I don't miss it."

He spoke excitedly about his new role with Fox Sports as an NFL studio analyst and is considered to be a potential star in the broadcast world.

But he also privately told friends, prior to the injury to his good buddy Umenyiora, who today undergoes season-ending surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee, that he has "the itch" to return.

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The Giants know all this and their overture to their former star is a sign they are not fully comfortable about moving forward without Umenyiora and with the players involved in the shuffle to replace him.

Last Monday night, Strahan was at Giants Stadium watching his former team play the Browns and appeared fit and trim and said he's lost weight because of a new workout regime featuring less heavy lifting and more aerobic conditioning. No doubt he'd have to bulk up a bit if he came back for a 16th NFL season.

"Michael always works out, but has he been working out as if he's going to play football? No," Agnone said.

Is this all a pipedream? Probably. But maybe not. Strahan may simply say thanks but no thanks.

Still, the Strahan buzz was in the air, to be sure, as Coughlin was peppered with questions about Strahan. "There hasn't been any discussion I have been involved with there," he said.

Finally, Coughlin had enough. Asked if he wanted Strahan back, he demanded, "Don't ask me any more questions about that" and then bluntly warned, "Don't be a smart-aleck" when pressed on the subject.

Before he retired, Strahan was scheduled to make $4 million in salary for the 2008 season. The Giants following the Super Bowl victory were willing to up the ante to a reported $6.5 million but he insisted money was not the issue. If the Giants attempt to lure him back, they no doubt will have to come up with a lucrative offer.

"Does he have a number in his head? I doubt it," said Agnone, who denied reports that Strahan is seeking $8 million and assumes it was Reese who contacted Strahan. "Do I think he'd eventually come to one? Yeah."