Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports
David Diehl has been a soldier for Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants. However, their time together might very well be coming to an end. Diehl was hurt for a good portion of the season this year and looked like he had been passed by Sean Locklear on the depth chart until Locklear got hurt. When he did play he was erratic, looking outstanding one play and overpowered the next.
GM Jerry Reese will have to make a decision on Diehl and he will have to do it soon. As the Giants try to reshape a roster that missed the playoffs and features almost half of the players either needing new contracts or to be replaced, Diehl might very well be on the chopping block.
In 2013, Diehl is scheduled to make $4.1 million. That is way too expensive for a player that might not even be considered a starter by the coaching staff moving forward. The Giants will need that money to take care of free agents like Victor Cruz, Will Beatty, and perhaps Martellus Bennett or Kevin Boothe.
The Giants have James Brewer waiting in the wings and although he didn’t play much the last two seasons the Giants still believe he can be a solid starting right tackle in the NFL. There are also more glaring needs along the offensive line with re-signing Will Beatty and Kevin Boothe the top priorities.
There simply is no room for an aging right tackle making over $4 million on the Giants roster right now. He will be 32 and has been in the league for 10 years. Diehl gave everything he had to the Giants and he helped win two Super Bowls but sentiment doesn’t fly in the NFL which is a league based solely on the “what have you done for me lately” mentality.
There is a possibility that the two sides work on a restructured deal and Diehl stays with the Giants next season as insurance. That is not out of the realm of possibility and might even be a smart move on the Giants’ part if Brewer isn’t able to handle the load or injuries rear their ugly head. Having someone who knows the system and can succeed in that system would be a nice insurance policy. The question is how much do the Giants think Diehl has left and at what price?
