Loading ...With serious injuries plaguing the defensive tackle position and headline-grabbing injuries to both Hakeem Nicks and Terrell Thomas, a lingering hamstring issue for New York Giants linebacker Michael Boley has gone largely overlooked. However, with the regular season rapidly approaching, the seven-year veteran is becoming increasingly concerned over the time he's missed and the rate at which he's healing.
“I’m very concerned about getting back out there. This is valuable time that I’m missing,” Boley said. “Usually this time I’m getting my work with the first group and actually build that chemistry early. It’s kind of frustrating to be honest.”
Boley did some running on the sidelines on Tuesday, which seemed encouraging at first, but the aftereffects were far from positive. Although he wouldn't call it a setback, Boley indicated things didn't progress as he had hoped and that he was still experiencing pain in his hamstring.
“Feel like was getting a little better, but I tried running a little bit today and still not where I need to be for me to be able to go out and work,” he said. “It started out all right. And then I started to still feel the pain in it. It’s a progression. A little slower than I want it to but I think it’s coming along.”
The linebacker was held out of practice again on Wednesday and will not play against the Chicago Bears on Friday night. Barring some sort of incredible turnaround, he's unlikely to play against the New England Patriots during the final week of the preseason as well.
In Boley's absence, Keith Rivers has been the primary fill-in. He is slated to see additional snaps on Friday and would appear to be in line for the start against the Dallas Cowboys in week one if Boley is unable to play.
“Rivers has played pretty well,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “He's gotten better each week, practiced well, special teams he's done a nice job. He can run.”
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re-post.
Let’s see, only three years since almost everyone was convinced we had no wide receivers. Only two years since almost everyone was convinced we had no linebackers. Only five years since almost no one believed we have an elite, franchise quarterback. Only a year since we all agonized about our special teams, especially the punter and placekicker.
And yet….not a peep out of anyone about any of those positions. I’d say Jerry Reese & Co. (and in the case of Eli, Ernie Accorsi and Jerry Reese) did a pretty darned good job knowing what they had way ahead of the average fan.
Two months ago the gnashing of teeth could be heard over who would play tight end this season. Not a sound now.
Two weeks ago the local panic regarding defensive tackle was headed toward a Red Alert status. Now we’re concerned about opportunity costs of losing young talent at the position because there isn’t enough roster space.
Now we’re all atwitter (and I use that word advisedly) about the offensive line. I think there’s something to worry about, but largely because we cannot trust Beatty to be on the field. My guess is that there is more talent there that will bloom soon than any of us suppose. It’s really hard to argue with the powers-that-be and their drafting approach and personnel decisions when you look at two Lombardi Trophies in five years and what they’ve done when injuries haven’t undermined promising seasons. Just think….we’re a gunshot and one poor game plan away from possibly having had three rings in five years, which would in these days definitely be “dynastic”.
So until proven otherwise I’m going to assume that Locklear, Brewer, Petrus, Mosley, Capers, McCants, White and Cordle will produce, among them, a few good players and we will find that what we’ve seen from the offensive line so far is not indicative of what we WILL see. The fact that the pundits and experts are piling on and saying that group is hopelessly weak just makes me MORE confident, because these were the same guys who helped convince the fans that we: had no quarterback; had no wide receivers and desperately needed two; had no linebackers; and had no chance to win either of our championships. Now that Michael Strahan looks to be going to make the big bucks with what’s-her-name, we may NEVER be predicted to win a playoff game by Fox again!
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Boley should be concerned. Especially because Rivers and Williams may be better players even though Boley is quite good. No one wants to be Wally Pip.
I said this a few days ago. Rivers and Williams are talented enough that Boley will only see spot duty when healthy. Same with TT, I think Hosley especially as well as prince are good enough to let TT see the field when healthy. Unfortunately, there’s no such play at LT.
I think Rivers and Williams are talented, but obviously are not quite as good as Boley (at least as of right now). He knows the system better than them and he’s been an impact player for us. Players like that are hard to replace, but at least we have guys who can step in and hold their ground. They may not play at the same level, but they’re a hell of a lot better than someone we could pick up off the street or practice squad. So yes, right now Boley should be a bit concerned. I still feel as if he’ll suck it up and try to play, but at least we’ve got enough depth right now where it isn’t the end of the world if he’s got to rest a game or 2. He’s deserved it and you know that he wants to play so it’s not as if he has the soft label like guys like Beatty and Austin are starting to acquire.
I think it’s silly to give guys labels like that with the lack of knowledge we have. If if coaches, players, Dan or another beat reporters says something that then it means something. But to judge someone else’s pain to be is unfair. And in Beatty’s case not even logical because his furture bank account depends on him playing well this season.
If you told me Beatty was going to recover and start anywhere from 14-16 games at LT I have no real concerns about this team.
Not to just change the topic (although I’m sick of reading medical reports and they’re starting to really piss me off), but did anyone notice that last week Andrew Luck pretty much proved he has the goods to become a tremendous quarterback?
Rookie quarterback playing with a very weak offensive line against the Steelers, throws a Pick-6 under pressure to Ike Taylor, and then comes back on the VERY NEXT DRIVE and completes a bunch of passes and leads the team to a score.
That kid is going to be great. I’ve said it for four years (I had a little help in recognizing it from my son, a Stanford grad who follows the team closely, and from word from a few assistants to Harbaugh, so I take no credit for anything but bringing it to the attention of Giants 101), and he’s now proving it. This year will be bloody. He has a weak team and a terrible line in front of him. But 2-3 years from now he will be tearing up the league. The guy may be Eli with a bit more athleticism, although he still has to prove he can win games late in the NFL to justify comparisons to our Mr. Manning.
LoL i remember you getting antsy because I had him as my #2 his SOPHOMORE season..
Yeah, during what I got to watch of him he was very impressive. Wonder what the new regime will manage to put together around him.
I agree on Luck (I remember you posting here about him)…The next drive after the pick 6 he actually threw a pick that should have been a TD. I only make this correction because after back to back picks (the 2nd 100% not his fault, the 1st was) he then leads Indy to 3 straight scoring drives (17 points). He has what I think Prince is trying to develop, undying belief in talents no matter what happens. I remember he did the same thing several times last year.
But I do think the Indy OL is better than you say. First they 101 favorite the LT BC kid from the 2011 draft and several other picks. I think besides having a true #1 WR (Wayne has clearly lost a step) he has many decent to good targets. I see them being Carolina like this year, more competitve than the roster looks on paper.
Luck has some of the most important qualities a successful QB needs to have. He has amazing composure/pocket presence. If you just look at him he it very conscious of what is going on. He ‘feels’ the pocket, but he doesn’t scramble out of it like other young ones may be (or get rid of/hold onto the ball too long). He’s just very aware. The other thing is that he has a short memory. Like you stated he threw a pick and then came back the next drive and moved them down field. Some young guys will make a mistake and then try to be too perfect and result in more mistakes because they keep thinking about it too much. Luck realized what he did wrong and then he went about his business with that in the back of his mind…but he didn’t dwell on the mistake and keep him from making another throw. He just has the “it” factor that successful players have. The thing that just tells you that they’re going to be good. I don’t get the same vibe from RGIII. He’s very talented, but it just seems like he needs to really develop if he wants to succeed. Luck, as of now, could be a solid QB in the NFL, but if he keeps working he could be a great one. I just get that vibe. I’m not saying he’ll be the next John Elway, but he’s the closest prospect to come close to that label in years, IMHO.
I disagree on RGIII. He looks like the real deal to me too. I think he’s going to create problems for us for a long time.
I don’t think he has the same pocket feel. But he played in a spread offense and is developing that. That’s what’s amazing about Cam is his calmness is the pocket though he played in the sprea. Bob Griffin can easily develop that but I don’t see it yet.
NFL Gamepass is free in the Netherlands.
Free? Fuuuuuuuuark. Payed 200 bucks for it lol
It should be showing as “complementary” if you try to buy it now. Maybe you can get a refund?
It doesnt say that on mine.. You sure you mean NFL gamepass? Cant believe they would give away every game for free…
Assuming Boley isn’t ready for the opener, what does the unit look like?
Kiwi/Paysinger(W); Blackburn/Herzlich(M); Rivers/Williams(W)?
Yeah. Unless Jones surprisingly beats out Paysinger. The nickel LBs would be Rivers and Williams. Only in nickel to I feel we may miss boley because of his grasp of the defense. Herzlich know the defense well enough that we won’t miss a beat in our base defense.
Apparently JPP is sitting out because of back spasms and might not play against the Bears friday.
Did you also happen to catch wether or not TT will be placed on PUP?
TT practiced so he can’t be placed on PUP. Right now only Canty and Beckum are eligible for the regular season PUP.
Joke
Your head
LOL. My fault
I believe that Boley is really between a rock and a hard place.
Next year he’s due $4.25 mil. And he’s worth it. He’s a solid, very-good-but-not-quite-elite linebacker. I like the guy … and did so when many others were expressing misgivings.
But … we’re in for a cap crunch. That $4.25 mil is going to look awful tasty. If it comes down to making choices then there’s quite a few other players that will have the edge on him. Especially if he can’t stay on the field.
I think that will come down to a choice between he and Rivers. The cheaper one wins.
Cap $$$s are fluid. They could go cheap at LB to make room to sign Nicks or Cruz or Osi or Tuck or anyone.
If you’re a mid-priced veteran player … then you’re prime meat to be replaced by someone still on a rookie contract.
I really like Boley, but we’re in better shape to lose him than we are Cruz, Nicks, or Tuck at this point. I’m hoping we can keep both Nicks and Cruz long term because they’re such a dynamic tandem. I’m willing to try to go cheap elsewhere — even if it means replacing Boley. Rivers will be cheaper since he hasn’t accomplished as much as Boley and the difference between their play shouldn’t be too bad. We don’t have any WRs who can really step up and even come close to Nicks + Cruz at this point. Plus, as mentioned, Boley’s cap hit is going to look very tempting. This reminds me of the cutting of O’Hara and Seubert to get under the cap. If we had the money we’d have kept them, but we had to get some wiggle room and they were casualties because we had a plan to get guys who could be squeezed into the payroll more easily.
Rivers is also 3 years younger. I have long said I think Boley is gone but things can changed. We could even be fine without both Boley and Rivers because Williams can start as well. We also have paysinger and hopefully as developing Muasau.
The thing that could easily protect Boley is that he is smart. His recognition of what the offense is trying to do is very well respected among his teammates and coaches. They kind of look at he and Chase as their equivalents of Eli on offense. I don’t know if Rivers has that (even if he’s here next season) and I don’t think Williams does. Potentially a great linebacker but no rocket scientist. And especially if Blackburn is not in next season’s plan (entirely possible if they think it’s time for Herzlich to take over the MIKE role and Muasau continues to progress), Boley becomes even more valuable on defense.
One thing that I felt was already written in stone but certainly is at this point thanks to the likelihood that Boley will miss a game or two: Chase Blackburn is our starting MIKE and Mark Herzlich remains a backup.
Any update on the rehab program for TT?
At this point we could be heading into the season with 5 roster spots dedicated to guys who can’t get on the field–Canty, Boley, TT, Beatty and Austin.
On the bright side, it makes picking inscribed easier.