New LB in Town

Michael Boley is excited to be joining such a successful defense as the Giants and he believes that New York's aggressive schemes will play right into his ability. Here's what Boley had to say on Tuesday during his first conference call with the New York media.

Q: Did you know going into free agency that the Giants were going to be so interested in signing you so fast?
A: I didn’t know until the end the night before free agency got ready to hit. So it was kind of a waiting game up until then.

Q: As an opponent what is your sense of what the Giants were all about and what are your thoughts on joining a defense like this?
A: As an opponent just based on what I have seen over the last two years was that they are a tough, physical, hard-nosed team that is all about winning. I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to be on this defense and seeing what they have done over these last few years has been amazing. So I’m proud to be a part of it.

Q: What were your thoughts going into fr ee agency after you had a year where they switched defenses and you kind of lost your role?
A: My thought was where I would end up was going to be a new beginning. It was something that I was excited about. They say change is always good so I was looking forward to getting into something different.

Q: Did you ever have doubts about yourself after last season?
A: No. I never had doubts. The more you have doubts the more it is going to pull you down even more.

Q: Based on what happened to you, were you looking for a team that had a need to fit your skill set?
A: I didn’t really look at it like that. I was looking at it as to not just what team can benefit me but how can I benefit the team that I go to.

Q: Did you sense that the Giants could use some help at that position?
A: Most definitely, I mean, when they called I was ecstatic. I have always liked New York=2 0and just to be given an opportunity I was ready to try it and find out if they were interested.

Q: What do you think you bring to a defense in particular?
A: I think I do a lot of different things as far as coming out rushing the passer. I can cover. I think I bring a couple different things to the game.

Q: Are you looking forward to rushing the passer, I would assume, a lot more than they asked you to do down in Atlanta?
A: Most definitely. Anytime you can help your team by getting after the opposing team’s quarterback, regardless of who the quarterback is back there, if you give them too much time they can beat you.

Q: What do you think of the defensive line that you are going to be rushing behind?
A: I think it’s great. Seeing those guys sitting in front of you, all across the board, it’s a great group of guys. And that is something that I very much look forward to.

Q: Have you had a chance to speak to any20of your new teammates yet?
A: I haven’t had a chance to speak to them yet. But I’m sure that these next couple of weeks leading up to the offseason program, I’ll have a chance to meet with some of them.

Q: Do you know any of them at all?
A: Oh yeah, I know a few of the guys. I have known Brandon Jacobs since – we came out together so I have known him over the years. I know Justin Tuck. So I know a couple of the guys but I don’t know a lot. But I know some of them. I’m looking forward to getting to know the others.

Q: What were your impressions of Tom Coughlin?
A: I like him. He gave me a chance to sit down and talk with him. He is a real good guy. You can feel that he is very devoted to winning. I like that – the quality that he has.

Q: Jerry Reese told us a little while ago that there is a lot of charity work and things that you are involved with that sometimes get overshadowed, especially with this domestic violence thing in your past a year ago. Can you first update us on your legal situation and also tell us a little bit about some of the things that you are involved with?
A: The situation that happened last year was an unfortunate event. And at this point, I’m just looking forward from it. About the things that I do in the community - I have a son who has autism. I do a lot of work with that. And not only do I work with that, I do work with another organization in Georgia with Easter Seals and they help a broad spectrum of special needs children. So those are a couple of things that I do. And I do a lot of work with that because I’m very passionate about it.