Perry Fewell: Chase Blackburn Is The Middle Linebacker ... For Now

New York Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell made it abundantly clear Saturday who the starting middle linebacker is for the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants. At least when training camp opens this summer.

"Chase goes back to that role. Herzlich will have an opportunity to compete for that role. Greg Jones will have an opportunity to compete for that role. And we are not opposed to putting Keith Rivers - giving him the opportunity to compete for that role, also," said Fewell. "So there is going to be competition."

Fewell did not put Michael Boley into the mix, saying "I don't think that is his best position."

Blackburn, as you likely remember, was let go by the Giants before last season began but was re-signed late in the season after injuries felled both Jonathan Goff and Herzlich. He helped solidify what had been a struggling unit and made a critical interception in the Super Bowl.

He. obviously, is not guaranteed the job. Someone, though, is going to have to take it away from him.