"Keith Bulluck has a lot on his platter. He's finishing his rehab from late-season knee surgery, joining a new team, learning a new defense and mastering a new position — the leadership-drenched middle linebacker spot.

Yet, he must report to Giants' training camp in less than a week.

The former Tennessee Titan is undaunted by the challenges, however. Bulluck, 33, signed a one-year deal Sunday and was in the Timex Center on Monday getting started on his new journey.

The 10-year veteran suffered a torn left ACL in Week 15 of last season, an injury which kept him from testing the free agent market until the past few weeks. He said his knee is nearly 90 percent and expects to be a full go by the start of the season.

"I still have to get into football shape, considering I haven't been in a camp," Bulluck explained in a conference call. "I'm in shape to go out and run 100s and gassers. But as far as sideline-to-sideline, getting off blocks and going to the ball, I haven't done that since December. It's just a matter of getting re-accli mated."

The native of New City, N.Y., worked out for the Giants last week. After he aced that test, he accepted a one-year deal reportedly worth as much as $2.5 million. He picked the Giants over Arizona, his other major suitor, because the Cardinals lost so many key players during the off-season. A talk with Michael Strahan sealed the deal.

"Anyone who gets the opportunity to come and play for the New York Giants, it's a big deal," Bulluck said. "But me being from the area and growing up 30 minutes away from the Meadowlands, it's even more special."

He met with defensive coordinator Perry Fewell on Monday to take his first steps into a new defensive scheme. But with his experience, he did not think it will be a huge problem adjusting to Fewell's defense.

Nor does the Syracuse product think the move inside will be a major concern and he promises not to disrespect uniform No. 53, once worn by Hall of Famer Harry Carson.

"In Tennessee, I played both [inside and outside]," Bulluck said. "On first and second downs I would be playing on the weak side. On third down, depending on the offensive set, I'd be in the middle. So for the last three years, I've been playing both outside and inside."

He knows playing middle linebacker full time is more physical than handling those duties in a nickel package. "A lot of times when I was in Tennessee, I would get blocked by a guard and a center," he countered. "My work was always cut out for me. I don't think it'll be different here."