EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -Keith Bulluck isn't worried about adjusting to his new surroundings with the New York Giants.
The Meadowlands is a lot closer to his home in New Jersey than Tennessee, and playing middle linebacker for the Giants is just a slight variation of what he did with the Titans in latter part of his 10-year stint.
"I don't think it'll be any different here, and I haven't really even thought twice about it,'' Bulluck said Monday, just two days after signing a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Giants.
"It was not a matter of me getting confidence to play the middle,'' said the 33-year-old who spent most of his time as a weakside linebacker with the Titans. "Confidence has never been an issue with me when it comes to this game. I think that it's just going to be fun and I'm planning on making a lot of plays.''
The Giants have had question marks about their middle linebacker position since releasing Antonio Pierce in February because of concerns about a neck injury that sidelined him for the second half of last season.
For most of the offseason, it appeared that either Jonathan Goff or rookie Phillip Dillard would fight for the starting job. Now Bullock seems destined to get it, although he won't claim it.
"In this league, nothing is given to you,'' Bulluck said. "So, one thing that I have always loved about this league is that every year you have to come prove yourself.''
Bulluck does have to prove himself. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late last season and had major surgery. The former Syracuse star says his knee is about 90 percent and all he needs to do is get himself in football shape for camp, which opens on Sunday at the University at Albany.
"Me and my family could have easily just rode off into the sunset and leave it at that,'' he said. "I still have that burning desire to come and play, and prove myself and that I'm one of the best linebackers in the league. You know, that's my challenge. To play for this organization that still has a lot to prove and can win, that's another big reason to come here.''
Bulluck knows the Giants. He grew up in Rockland County in New York, a roughly 40-minute drive from the Giants' headquarters in the Meadowlands sports complex. During the offseason, he occasionally bumps into players near his home in Edgewater, which is just north of the New Meadowlands Stadium, the new home of the Giants and Jets.
However, he admitted on Monday that he has yet to discuss the team's defense with new coordinator Perry Fewell. He also knows that it is going to take a little time for him to develop chemistry with his new teammates.
The Giants (8-8) struggled defensively last season, giving up 427 points in missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004.
In the offseason, the team signed safeties Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant, drafted heavily on the defensive side of the ball and got some people healthy in the offseason.
"I know this team as a whole has something to prove,'' Bulluck said. "For everyone to be talking about Dallas, Washington, and Philadelphia and not talking about Big Blue is absurd.''
The Giants are expecting a lot from Bulluck, who was second on the Titans with 118 tackles in 14 games. They gave him No. 53, which is the number worn by Hall of Fame middle linebacker Harry Carson in the Giants' run to their first Super Bowl title.
"No pressure,'' Bulluck said. "I know the great Harry Carson wore it. I'm not a pressure type person. I'll be fine, I'll be all right. That's the least of my concerns. I won't disrespect the jersey.''
Bulluck said that the Giants asked him to work out about two weeks ago. His final decision came down to the Giants and Arizona Cardinals, and he chose New York after a long talk with retired Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.
"I'm here to win football games,'' Bulluck said. "I'm here to bring some people along with me, and maybe my mentality and attitude will rub off. I'm sure these guys' attitudes and mentalities will rub off on me. I'm a New York Giant, so I need to get acclimated to them. I'll just fit in where I fit in.''
