Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, June 25, 2009

Giants new LB Michael Boley has hip surgery

Associated Press

 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Linebacker Michael Boley, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the New York Giants as a free agent, had hip surgery Wednesday and almost certainly will miss the start of training camp.

Boley had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in an operation performed by Dr. Bryan Kelly at the Hospital for Special Surgery. The former Atlanta Falcon hurt his hip during the Giants' offseason program.

A full recovery is expected in approximately 8-10 weeks, the team said. Training camp opens in August.

Boley plays weakside linebacker. Gerris Wilkinson, Bryan Kehl and Chase Blackburn played that position for the Giants last season, and all are still with the team.

A fifth-round draft choice of the Falcons in 2005, Boley started 53 of 64 games with Atlanta. He had 365 tackles (260 solo), six sacks, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 28 passes defended.

He started 12 regular season games and the Falcons' NFC Wild Card Game at Arizona last season, posting 90 tackles (65 solo) with one interception.

When the Giants signed the 26-year-old Boley, they noted he was excellent in pass coverage and would be used in blitzing situations because of his quickness.

General manager Jerry Reese also noted that Boley was a durable player who could play both the weakside and strongside linebacker.

The Giants also announced the signings of receiver Ramses Barden, their third-round draft pick, and quarterback Rhett Bomar, a fifth-round pick. Contract terms were not immediately available.

With the signings, the team has signed four of its nine draft choices. Cornerbacks DeAndre Wright and Stoney Woodson, the sixth and seventh rounds choices, respectively, signed last week.

Tight end George Wrightser, a seven-year veteran who was signed on May 9, and first-year offensive lineman Mike Fladell, were released to make room for them on the roster.

Barden, who at 6-foot-6 reminds the Giants of Plaxico Burress in terms of height, caught 206 passes for 4,203 yards and 50 touchdowns at Cal Poly. He set Football Championship Subdivision career records with a touchdown reception in 32 games and at least one in 20 consecutive contests, topping the previous marks of at least one scoring receptions in 17 straight contests and in 26 games by Jerry Rice at Mississippi Valley State (1981-84).

Bomar started 11 games as a freshman at Oklahoma in 2005, when he threw for 2,018 yards and 10 touchdowns. He transferred to Sam Houston State after it was revealed that he was paid for a job he did not work.

Bomar threw for 5,564 yards and 37 touchdowns in his two seasons at Sam Houston.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA