By Tom Canavan
The Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Two-time MVP Kurt Warner met with the New York Giants on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of becoming the veteran quarterback who competes with Eli Manning for the starting job.

"He had a great meeting," Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent, said in a telephone interview. "It was very positive. He was impressed with everything."

Warner took a physical but didn't throw, Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi said. While the Rams are letting Warner talk to other teams, he isn't allowed to throw for them.

Warner lost his starting job with the St. Louis Rams last season. The team gave him permission to shop himself, with the expectation that he would be released in a salary-cap move June 1.

Marc Bulger, who took over as the Rams' starting quarterback after the first game last season, was recently given a new long-term contract.

"We're going to take a deep breath and evaluate things," Bartelstein said.

Accorsi wouldn't discuss the meeting, other than to say it took place and that Warner took a physical.

The Giants face an interesting decision heading into Tom Coughlin's first season as coach.

Manning, the No. 1 pick in the draft, is the Giants' quarterback of the future. But they must decide whether to start him or let a veteran run the team, which is coming off a 4-12 season.

Kerry Collins, who led the Giants to the Super Bowl in 2001, would have been a perfect choice, but he refused to renegotiate a contract that was to pay him $7 million this season. The Giants released Collins last week.

Bartelstein said Warner has recovered from a concussion he sustained in a season-opening loss to the Giants.

"He's fine," said Bartelstein, who said last week that Warner would be willing to sign a one-year contract. "He's throwing every day in St. Louis."

Warner led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in the 1999 season.

Rattay has successful groin surgery

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Tim Rattay had successful surgery on his left groin Tuesday.

Rattay tore a tendon in his groin during the first practice at San Francisco's minicamp last Friday. The 49ers expect him to return for training camp in late July, but acknowledge the injury could keep Rattay out longer.

"We will see how it responds to treatment and rehabilitation," team doctor Michael Dillingham said.

Rattay, the 49ers' longtime backup to Jeff Garcia, was expected to become the starter this season after the club released Garcia in a salary-cap move. Rattay started three games last season, leading San Francisco to two victories.

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