AP

The Giants are saying goodbye to linebacker Michael Boley.

The Giants announced the move on Tuesday afternoon, and coach Tom Coughlin and General Manager Jerry Reese both praised Boley on his way out the door.

“Michael Boley was brought here as a fast, athletic, versatile linebacker,” Coughlin said. “We recognized his special skills were in coverage. He’s a smart player who made some big plays for us. He was an integral part of our Super Bowl XLVI championship team. Michael played outstanding football down the stretch for us that season.”

“Michael came in and learned our defense quickly and he added speed, coupled with big play ability, to our defensive unit,” Reese said. “He also played an important role in helping us win Super Bowl XLVI. I wish him well as he moves forward in his career.”

The move comes as something of a surprise, but maybe it shouldn’t: Boley will turn 31 before the start of the 2013 season, and although he played well early in the year, he lost his spot in the Giants’ starting lineup late in the 2012 season. Boley was also due $4.25 million this year. He’s still good enough to play for some NFL team, but the Giants didn’t think he was good enough to justify his salary.