Michael Boley wants to play outside linebacker

Michael Boley seemed to find a niche as a roving ‘backer last season. Injuries forced some defensive rejiggering and Boley, a natural outside linebacker, often was the man in the middle. Despite being 230 pounds, he did well at middle linebacker and even assumed some of the signal-calling duties that come with the position.

Overall, Boley had 93 tackles and three fumble recoveries in what was his most productive season as a Giant. Heck, according to Football Outsiders, he even was the league’s surest wrapper-upper, allowing just one broken tackle.

So, how ‘bout that middle?

“I’m an outside linebacker,” Boley said Thursday, while at Chris Canty's Camp of Champions youth football camp at  George Washington High School. “That’s what I’ve done since I’ve been in the league.”

But what if exotic schemes or circumstances call for him again to be the middle man this season? “I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll see.”

Boley did add that he is pleased with the progress of the Giants’ young linebackers (OLBs Jacquian Williams and Mark Herzlich among them). “They’ve gotten a lot better. Obviously, you come in as a rookie, you expect them to make small mistakes. It’s a learning process and our rookies learned a lot from their first year. But they persevered and ended up winning a Super Bowl.”

Sintim remains hopeful
Clint Sintim’s career to this point has been a disappointment – which he acknowledged - and with the Giants’ depth at outside linebacker now and the former second-rounder coming off another serious injury, his future with the team could, perhaps, be in jeopardy.

“Obviously when I got [drafted] by the Giants I thought it would’ve gone a little differently,” said Sintim, 26, still recovering from a ruptured patella tendon that forced him to miss the 2011 season. “But I’ve still got one year left on my deal, so I’m optimistic.
Hopefully I can turn it around.”

Sintim’s 2010 season was shortened by a torn ACL.

“My biggest concern is getting healthy,” he said. “Once I get healthy and I’m able to get on the field, my role will define itself.”

As for his recuperation: “I’m better than yesterday,” he said. “I know it sounds like coach speak, but I can’t put a [percentage] on it. I’m just getting better every day. It’s a slow process. It takes patience because you can't rush healing.”