Will dictate new contract
still in the gray area. ... I’m not as accomplished as a Pat [ Peterson, 15 career INTs]. I’m just comparing myself to guys in my class, I’m probably more like a Jimmy Smith. Like Pat P., he’s leading our class right now, and [ Richard] Sherman [ 24 career INTs], leading our class. It’s easy for those guys to be like, ‘ OK, those guys are for sure indispensable. Those guys are a No. 1 guy,’ and stuff like that.”
With Antrel Rolle gone, Amukamara, 26, has become an elder statesman of sorts in the secondary.
“I feel like my voice is probably heard now,” he said. “Not saying it wasn’t heard before, but didn’t really have to ’ cause Antrel was here, and in the previous years it was either Webby [ Corey Webster], [ Aaron] Ross, or Deon Grant, but now the leadership is ... I don’t want to say it’s forced on me, and I don’t want to say by default, because I would have wanted to be one. First off, a leader has to be available, and I’ve been hurt probably almost every season, and then if I’m not available, that means I’m not dependable, so just trying to work on those two traits and then just letmy play lead.” Eli Manning has noticed. “He’s a physical guy, he can jam, I think he’s got quick feet, he’s got good speed, I think he has some smarts as well,” Manning said. “Hopefully he can stay healthy, and I thinkhecanbe a tremendous player and have a big year for us this year.”
Amukamara’s arm has not hampered him.
“I still feel it a little bit,” Amukamara said of the torn bicep he suffered in a Week 9 Monday night loss to the Colts last season. “I think the biggest test would be when I wrap up and hit or anything like that.”
He is a good fit in new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, which encourages the corners to press and attack.
“That’s my kind of game,” Amukamara said. “His M. O. is to not let the offense dictate what we’re doing, and I like that. He likes to force them to do something that they don’t want to do. He’s pretty aggressive.”
His wife, mother and motherinlaw are taking good care of Princess.
“I don’t want her to act like a princess though. ... I don’t know, some princesses are ... they feel entitled,” Amukamara said, and smiled. Her father sure isn’t.
steve. serby@ nypost. com