Michael

Boley

So would Boley’s IDP owners. Boley says he hasn’t been approached about the switch just yet, and the Giants may wait to see what happens in the draft. For now, however, Boley is penciled in as New York’s new middle linebacker. Keith Rivers should handle the weak side, with Mathias Kiwanuka at the SAM.

GM Jerry Reese has said Boley could move to the middle, but Fewell isn’t sure it would work. “I don’t think that’s his best position,” Fewell said. Fewell did allow that Boley “definitely has the ability to do that.” Per Fewell, Chase Blackburn is currently penciled in at middle linebacker, and Greg Jones, Mark Herzlich and Keith Rivers will all compete for the job. Boley is probably still the favorite, but it will be a camp battle to watch for IDP players.

Herzlich started two games in the middle before an ankle injured ended his season in Week 12. The Giants have since re-signed Chase Blackburn and have also talked about moving Michael Boley to the middle. The odds are now stacked against Herzlich emerging as the starter.

It’s the last pick in the fifth round, so it’s as close as you can possibly get to the sixth. Rivers developed a bit of a “soft” reputation as the former No. 9 overall pick in the draft with Cincinnati, but he was not averse to playing through injuries and is a quality run defender when healthy. Look for Michael Boley to start at middle linebacker for the Giants. Rivers should handle the weak-side duties, with Mathias Kiwanuka staying on the strong side.

The Giants appear set to let free agents Chase Blackburn and Jonathan Goff walk, while Mark Herzlich is an injury question mark and 2011 sixth-round pick Greg Jones proved unready to be a starter as a rookie. A career outside linebacker, Boley’s 93 tackles last season were his most since arriving in New York in 2009. His production could skyrocket if moved to the middle.

Boley sat out the entire second half of last week’s game with the injury. Justin Tuck recently called Boley the one player the Giants defense can least afford to lose, so it’s an injury worth tracking this week for the primary signal-caller.

Boley went down with under two minutes left in the first half and was replaced by rookie Spencer Paysinger. Boley will not return.

The case is reportedly being sent to a grand jury to decide if there is enough evidence to press charges. Boley’s attorney has flatly denied the accusations, saying they stem from a “contested child support case.” The Giants have said they are “aware” of the situation, and that Boley will play Sunday.

Bradshaw indicated he would receive a full complement of carries if active but remains a risky, if low-end RB2 against the Packers 12th rated run defense. Boley is an immediate upgrade over the platoon of Mark Herzlich and Jaquian Williams and will challenge Jermichael Finley and James Starks at the secondary level.

Boley is considered ''day to day’’ as he recovers from a hamstring injury suffered in Week 10 against San Francisco. Mark Herzlich and Jaquian Williams will continue to rotate on the weak side, with Williams the preferred option on passing downs.