Eli insists he did nothing wrong in memorabilia suit

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. >> An angry and emotional Eli Manning has denied providing fake game-used memorabilia to a collector, insisting he will be vindicated.

Manning addressed the accusations on Thursday after a plaintiff in a 2014 lawsuit recently filed a motion to compel testimony that included an email from Manning to a team equipment manager asking for two helmets that could pass as game-used items.

The two-time Super Bowl MVP refused to discuss the specifics of the civil case, which is scheduled to go to trial in September in state Superior Court in Bergen County,

“I will say I have never done what I have been accused of doing,” Manning said at a Giants offseason availability. “I have no reason nor have I had any reason to do anything of that nature. I have done nothing wrong and I have nothing to hide, and I know when this is done everyone will see it the same way.”

Manning said he can handle people attacking him for his play. Attacking his integrity is something else, and his voice reflected that he was upset.

“I think my track record of how I have handled myself since I have been here in New York since 2004 speaks for itself,” Manning said. “I have tried to do everything with class and be a standup citizen. That’s what I have done.”

Sports memorabilia collector Eric Inselberg of Short Hills sued Manning, Giants coowner John Mara and others in 2014, alleging they engaged in a scam to sell fake “gameworn” equipment for profit. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. >> Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul says the injury

that sidelined him late last season was more serious than a sports hernia.

Speaking at a team availability Thursday, Pierre-Paul said surgeons fixed two spots in his abdomen and two in his groin in December.

The 28-year-old, who was signed to a four-year, $68 million contract in the offseason, said he is running and taking part in every activity at the team’s OTAs, which started Tuesday.

Former VCU hoops player agrees with Colts

RICHMOND, VA. >> Former VCU basketball player Mo Alie-Cox is getting a shot at the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. His agent said the 6-foot-7, 250-pound Alie-Cox has agreed to terms.

“He’s heading to Indianapolis” Friday, Joe Flanagan said. Flanagan did not discuss terms of the deal on Thursday, but Alie-Cox will try to earn a spot on the team

as a tight end.

Alie-Cox hasn’t played football in nine years, since he was a defensive end and tight end in his freshman year of high school.

Police discover Bills OL wandering in field

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. >> Bills offensive lineman Cyrus Kouandjio was taken to the hospital for observation after police found him without any pants on in a suburban Buffalo field.

Erie County Sheriff’s spokesman Scott Zylka said deputies were responding to a complaint of a suspicious person when they came upon Kouandjio around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Zylka said the player was cooperative in answering deputies’ questions, and added no charges have been filed.

It’s unclear what Kouandjio was doing or how he got into the field, located about a 5-minute drive from Bills headquarters.