For the fourth game in a row, Boley likely will not take the field with the starting defense when the Falcons (11-5) face the Arizona Cardinals (9-7) in an NFC playoff game at 4:30 p.m. at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Once considered a rising NFL star and potential Pro Bowl player, Boley was recently relieved of some duties, but he has been quiet since the move.

"I'm still playing," said Boley, who becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason. "That's how I dealt with it. That's how that went. There wasn't really much that I could do about it.

"It wasn't one of those situations where I could be down ... I just had to keep playing ball."

After the defense allowed 184 yards rushing to New Orleans and Boley dropped a potential game-saving interception, the Falcons turned to reserve Coy Wire in running situations, usually on first and second down.

Boley retained his position in the nickel package.

Wire played two solid games against Tampa Bay and Minnesota, but most of the defense regressed against the St. Louis running game.

"There isn't much to really talk about because the coaches made their decision," Boley said. "Now we've just been playing."

A fifth-round draft choice in 2005 out of Southern Mississippi, Boley started 11 games as a rookie and 14 his second season.

Last year, Boley was one of the bright spots in a dismal 4-12 season. He finished second on the team in tackles with 125, had two interceptions, seven passes defensed and three force fumbles and three sacks.

This was supposed to be a breakout season for Boley, but things haven't gone his way. He has 35 fewer tackles, one interception, no forced fumbles and no sacks. But he does have nine passes defensed.

Off the field, Boley has had issues, too. He was charged with misdemeanor battery after a physical altercation with his wife in May but pled not guilty.

Boley was one of the defenders who did have a strong game against St. Louis on Sunday.

"Michael played very well last week," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "He had 11 tackles. I thought he was very active."

That Boley didn't complain about the move has earned him some points from the coaching staff.

"Michael has handled this very well," Smith said. "I think he's been more productive over the last couple of weeks."

Boley, while trying to take the move in stride, clearly doesn't agree with it. He still considers himself a three-down linebacker, who can play the run and pass.

"Yeah, I don't know of a linebacker who would tell you that he's not," Boley said when asked if he was a three-down backer.

In Free Agency, Boley will have to convince a team that he's a three-down linebacker and not just a pass-coverage linebacker to land a lucrative contract.

"I'm not even thinking about it right now," Boley said.

"My focus right now is getting to the next game. As far as Free Agency, that can wait. Our goal is to make it to the big show. That can wait. After that, everything can take care of itself."

The Falcons could have extended Boley's contract, but elected to offer extensions to defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and wide receiver Michael Jenkins, which will keep them from entering Free Agency.

For now, Boley will try to help shut down Arizona's vaunted passing attack.

"It's a big opportunity going into this game, being our first playoff game since '04," Boley said. "It's a big game not just for the guys here, but for the organization. I'm looking forward to it."

NEXT FOR Falcons

* Who: NFC wild-card playoff game at Cardinals

* When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday

* TV; radio: NBC; 92.9 FM