Boley waits this one out, hopes to be back in the mix against Colts

Part of the Giants’ gameplan to stop the run was to use their “big base” personnel. That meant that “starting” linebacker Michael Boley was not starting. In fact, he came in and most of his snaps late in the game when the Panthers had to start throwing the ball.

Boley said he’s unbothered by not starting, and for one big reason.

“It worked,” he said. “For me, I’m to the point where I can’t really worry about what they’re going to do with us as players. Being here, it’s a coin toss as far as what’s going to happen week in and week out. Basically for me it’s just sitting back and waiting to see what they ask me to do.”

A coin toss?

“We like to switch things up and keep things interesting,” Boley said.

It sounds like the Giants will have 14 or 15 “starting” defensive players and depending on who they play, that’s the scheme they’ll use. So this week against the pass-heavy Colts, Boley will probably see more time on the field. Mathias Kiwanuka will probably see less time at linebacker. There won’t be as many three-safety looks. They’ll be a different defense every time they take the field.

“Offenses do it, why can’t we?” Boley said of the chameleon defense. “Throw something different at them every week.”

Of course there is a danger. Boley was moved out of the starting lineup in Atlanta and relegated to a situational player in his final year with the Falcons. Then he became a free agent and came to New York. So he might be a bit shy about being pushed aside, especially in the first game of the season. Everyone wants to be on the field as much as possible, he said. Is he worried that he might not be a starter all season?

“I don’t know,” he said. “It’s early. It’s only week one. We’ll see.”