COHEN'S CORNER SPORTS

The New York Giants have completed a deal with former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley on a five year contract worth $25 million. Boley, 26, will help the Giants in pass rush and pass coverage at weakside linebacker in the 4-3 system. Boley had a disappointing 2008 with only 73 tackles and one interception, but the year before, Boley had 110 tackles, two picks and three sacks. If Boley can return to his 2007 form, it will make the Giants vaunted pass defense that much better. Expect Boley to have a big impact, with guys like Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyoria in front of him on the defensive line. In 2008, the Giants used three different starters at weakside linebacker, with neither really staking a claim on the position. Boley will fill that need for Big Blue very nicely in 2009.

2009 is now here and so is the NFL postseason. It doesn't matter how the 12 survivors for the run at the Lombardi Trophy got to this point, they are here. Unlike past years where the Patriots and Colts dominated the AFC, the conference is wide open in 2008-2009. The Patriots are not in the postseason, in their place is the suprising Miami Dolphins led by rookie coach Tony Sparano and Jets cast away Chad Pennington. Pennington was named Comeback Player of the Year and came in second in the MVP voting this year. He deserves it. After being kicked to the curb by the New York Jets, Pennington took a 1-15 Miami team and made them into division champs. The Colts are still in the postseason, but as a wild card. The Tennessee Titans have made it to the playoffs as AFC South champs with very little in the way of offense, and a punishing defense. Meanwhile, in the NFC, the defending champion New York Giants are still the best in the conference. They own 12 wins, and the number one seed. If t...