The NFL free-agent frenzy has begun. As you would expect, New York Giants' General Manager Jerry Reese knows what he wants to do.
"There are always good players," general manager Jerry Reese said. "You just have to look deep into what you need and what's available. There are always people in free agency who can help you fill some holes in your roster. Sometimes you have to look a little deeper. It would be nice to get all the top guys, but that's not a reality, so you have to look at the mid-levels. And you even have to bottom-feed sometimes in free agency."
Reese has been successful with that approach the past couple of seasons. I have no reason to believe he won't be successful again this time around.
- The first guy the Giants appear to have targeted is Atlanta linebacker Michael Boley, who will be visiting the Giants today. Here is Mike Garafolo's summary of Boley's talents.
Boley, 26, has played in all 64 regular-season games since being drafted by Atlanta in the fifth round of the 2005 draft. He has 52 career starts, but he lost his starting spot this past season. Reports indicate Boley is better suited in a more aggressive scheme than the defense the Falcons ran under new head coach Mike Smith this past season. The Giants love to get their LBs moving downhill quickly, so Boley could do well if he winds up playing for new defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan - the Giants' LBs coach for the past four seasons. ... Boley, who played at Southern Miss in college, has six career sacks and five INTs. He had a career-high 109 tackles in 2007.
This seems like a classic Reese move. A young guy with apparent upside who won't cost a ton of money.