The Giants will start Chase Blackburn at middle linebacker next season. However, the role has apparently shifted into a one- or two-down position, according to the New York Daily News. New York defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said that Blackburn, a seven-year veteran who was the starting middle linebacker to end the 2011 campaign, will go "back to that role" to begin camp. He added the caveat that there will be competition for the starting job. "(Mark) Herzlich will have an opportunity to compete for that role. Greg Jones will have an opportunity to compete for that role," Fewell said. "And we're not opposed to putting Keith Rivers, giving him an opportunity to compete for that role. So there's going to be competition."