Are New York Giants Happy with David Diehl at Left Tackle?

Brian King by Contributor Written on June 23, 2009
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 16:  David Diehl #66 of the New York Giants in action against the Baltimore Ravens during their game on November 16, 2008 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

David Diehl has played every position on the New York Giants' offensive line except for center. He is their left tackle today, but do the Giants wish he was still at left guard?

Diehl was drafted by Big Blue in 2003 as a fifth-round selection. He played right guard in 2003, right tackle in 2004, left guard in 2005 and 2006, and he has held down the left tackle position for the past two seasons.

When the Giants moved Diehl to left tackle in 2007 after cutting Luke Petitgout, they could only hope things would work out. So far they have.

Still, when the Giants gave Diehl a new contract last spring, it included escalators that would increase his pay if he stayed at left tackle. That may be a sign that they want him to push himself to stay at tackle, or it could mean they plan on moving him back to guard.

Guy Whimper was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 draft with hopes of becoming a left tackle in the future. In 2006 he was raw, in 2007 he was a backup, and in 2008 he was placed on injured reserve on Aug. 30.

I remember John Madden saying Whimper looked ready to start in the 2007 season. I believe it was the opening game against Dallas

Adam Koets was selected by the Giants in the sixth round of the 2007 draft, again to be a tackle.

William Beatty was a second-round selection in the NFL draft in 2009. He again will be groomed to be a left tackle. At 6'6" and 307 pounds, he was considered the most athletic tackle in the draft, according to the Giants.

Why do the Giants keep drafting offensive tackles with the hope of them playing on the left side?

Diehl was abused by DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys near the end of the 2008 season. Then again, who wasn’t? Diehl has been on record as saying that he is a tackle and not a guard

But, Beatty figures to be at least a year away from stepping in, and this could be Whimper’s last training camp if he doesn’t show signs of real improvement.

Where does that leave Diehl? For now left tackle is his position to lose.

However, considering the drafts of the past few years, it looks more and more like the Giants would be more comfortable moving him back to guard. What do you think?

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written on June 23, 2009 Opinion

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