law & order: new york giants

After a season of strife and disappointment dealing with Plaxico Burress and his constant legal troubles and distractions, the Giants made a move to fortify their line up of usual suspects, by signing two defensive players with histories of legal woes of their own.

Former Atlanta Falcon, Michael Boley was signed to solidify the Giants perceived weakness in the linebacking corp. Defensive Tackle Rocky Bernard was signed to give depth to a defensive line now boasting two starters who had surgery this offseason. This all sounds like the Giants have identified their weaknesses and addressed them quickly in free agency. Then one reads the last paragraph of the New York Times article detailing the signings:

Boley and Bernard have been arrested in the past year — Bernard in April for investigation of domestic violence and Boley in May for battery after the police were called to his home by his wife.

In an offseason where the New York Giant itinerary includes deciding what to do with talented problem child Burress, the Giants have seemingly abandoned their reputation as a team with no room for players with checkered pasts or futures. Boley and Bernard both fill needs, but one of the areas has already been filled spectacularly by Burress. Burress' legal troubles continue says Sports Illustrated legal analyst Michael McCann:

Assuming that the criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree charge against him is proven --and based on the purported information about what happened at the nightclub, his prospects for a defense seem limited -- a judge will have to sentence Burress to at least three and a half years in prison under mandatory sentencing. If Burress is cooperative and apologetic, prosecutors could elect to seek lighter charges against him. If he fights the charges and can somehow offer reasonable doubt that he wasn't in possession of the gun, then he would be vindicated. Bottom line: If the purported information is correct, Burress is poised to serve time.

Thus Giants fans have to hope that Boley and Bernard are reformed as Jerry Reese must. Winning the Super Bowl in his first season as GM has afforded Reese some leeway in his support from fans, but if Boley and Bernard end up at a night club with Plaxico Burress, then Reese may regret not learning from Burress' mistakes.

Update (3/2/09):
Jerry Reese has responded to these worries by signing DE Chris Canty, formerly a Dallas Cowboy. With Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, and Mathias Kiwanuka already roaming the edge, Canty will be moved inside where the Giants still lack depth and now have a seemingly overloaded rotation: Canty, Barry Cofield, Bernard, and Fred Robbins. (Robbins has been mentioned as a candidate to be traded or cut.) If the Giants do keep Robbins, which I believe they should do, this rotation would likely be able to keep all those involved healthy and playing down the stretch when Robbins and Cofield broke down last season.

But most importantly, according to Matt Mosely of ESPN, Canty's a good character guy.

And over the past four years, he's proved to be a high character guy for the Cowboys. I've spoken with his parents in the past. His mother is a Methodist minister in Charlotte, N.C., and Canty used to sing in her church's choir.

With a bunch of guys straight from central booking, its good to see a new addition having a close relationship with the Big Blue fan in the sky.

Update (3/3/09):
In a press conference with reporters, Jerry Reese responded to a question about the histories of Boley and Bernard:

That’s always a concern for us. We always look at character. There were a couple of isolated issues that are pretty much resolved. We did our homework on them. We’re pretty pleased with the answers we’ve got. We’re not afraid of what we’ve brought to the table with these two guys.