The Associated Press

Kurt Warner will start ahead of Eli Manning in the New York Giants' exhibition opener.

Coach Tom Coughlin made that announcement Wednesday but added that the competition for the starting job between the two-time MVP and the No. 1 pick in April's draft remains tight.

"Are they even? I would say yes," Coughlin said in designating Warner to start Friday night against Kansas City at Giants Stadium. "Whoever has the opportunity to play with the starters, that's who usually has his better practices. From that standpoint, they are. Now we will see how they separate out."

Warner will play into the second quarter, with Manning running the offense until at least the middle of the third quarter. Jesse Palmer will finish.

• Giants pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey practiced Wednesday for the first time since having surgery on his right foot June 22.

"We're on schedule," Shockey said. "We're doing good. If we keep being smart about it and don't push it, there's no reason why next week I can't go full speed."

BROWNS: Kellen Winslow Jr. was uncharacteristically humble after his first practice.

The rookie tight end, looking exhausted one day after a round of late-night negotiations resulted in a contract, acknowledged that he has a lot of catching up to do after a 12-day holdout.

"I am very far behind. My head is spinning," he said. "I've got a lot to learn."

A team source told The Associated Press the deal has a base salary of $29 million and could be worth up to $40 million if Winslow reaches all his incentives. It includes a $16.5 million signing bonus, said the source, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

"It feels great, like I won the lottery," Winslow said.

DOLPHINS: Safety Chris Akins is expected to miss the season after undergoing knee surgery for torn ligaments Wednesday.

Akins tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his right knee Saturday during a workout against Houston.

One of the top special teams players for the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots last season, Akins signed a three-year contract with the Dolphins in March.

CARDINALS: Wide receiver Anquan Boldin, last season's offensive rookie of the year, had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday after tests found torn cartilage in his right knee.

Coach Dennis Green called the injury "a slight tear" and said Boldin should be able to return within weeks, suggesting he would be ready for the regular-season opener at St. Louis on Sept. 12. The Cardinals start their exhibition schedule Saturday at Minnesota.

CHARGERS: Quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer, son of head coach Marty Schottenheimer, underwent surgery this week for thyroid cancer but is expected to rejoin the club for Saturday's exhibition game against the Indianapolis Colts.

LIONS: Second-year linebacker Boss Bailey will miss much of the regular season while recovering from knee surgery.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday in Athens, Ga., where doctors discovered torn cartilage that had not shown up in previous tests.