The right tackle question for the Giants concerns whether the future comes now, next year or mid-season. First round pick Justin Pugh out of Syracuse is that future. But the present remains 11-season veteran David Diehl.
Offensive line coach Pat Flaherty gave the verdict Monday in definitive terms.
“Right tackle is David Diehl with Justin Pugh working at right tackle,” Flaherty said.
And Diehl, the longest tenured Giant who underwent right knee surgery after last season, readily acknowledges the future belongs to Pugh. But he’s not quite ready to invite the rookie from Syracuse into the party and then walk out the door. Diehl, at 304 pounds after a new creative diet, is determined to hold on to his right tackle spot.
“Absolutely,” Diehl said. “That’s what this is all about. It’s all about competing and pushing yourself to the limit. Justin Pugh’s a great pick, great guy in the lockerroom, great guy in our offensive line room. I mean, I’m not going to be around forever. I’m a guy who’s been able to play different positions on the run. Justin’s that guy…He’s the future of our offensive line. He’s the guy who can play center, guard, tackle and those positions.”
Just hold off on the right tackle spot a while longer. And Diehl welcomes the fight for the job.
“At that same token, I’m not giving anything away. I’m going to earn my position just like anybody,” Diehl said. “Bringing in somebody like that brings in great competition, and it not only makes him a better football player, but it’s making me a better football player, which in turns makes our team better.”
Pugh has impressed his new bosses with his versatlity — he can play left tackle (his college position) and both guard spots — and is working with the second team.
“All you can do is go out there and work and learn from him. Obviously, he’s been here 11 years. He knows the ropes. He knows how to play the game,” Pugh said of Diehl. “So I’m just going to go out there, I know my role, as of right now I’m with the 2s, I’ll just learn as much as I can from him and go out there and compete.”
Pugh, Syracuse’s first offensive lineman All-America since 1990, stressed how comfortable he is making the transition to the right side.
“I feel good about it. I’m feeling comfortable out there in my set and all the different things. It’s just a matter of getting in there, learning the playbook then getting on the technique and mastering that technique,” Pugh said.
One guy who is supremely confident Pugh will make it is Ryan Nassib, the Giants’ fourth round pick and Pugh’s teammate at Syracuse.
“Justin’s game will translate to anywhere you put him. He’s a tough, hard-nosed football player who will get after you. He’s smart. He knows his assignments and every time I played with him in college I was confident he knew what he was doing,” said Nassib who described Pugh as “a happy go-lucky guy” who “likes to have fun” but “absolutely” has a mean streak.
“Watch his tape from college. You’ll see,” Nassib said.
Flaherty saw all that before the draft. It helped set Pugh apart.
“His demeanor as an offensive lineman,” Flaherty offered as Pugh’s most important trait. “He came across to me as a player that, first of all, football is important to him. He wants to not only do it for an occupation but playing the game itself, meant something to him. His demeanor has some nastiness, physicalness…and the willingness to learn.”
And all of that adds up to a hopeful right tackle future for the Giants. Whenever that may be.