By the end of the afternoon, there were no offensive linemen left on the Giants sideline — symbolic of the injury-riddled season for Tom Coughlin’s team up front.
“It was a crazy year,” veteran right guard David Diehl said after Big Blue nevertheless finished their underwhelming season with a 20-6 victory over the Redskins at a rain-soaked MetLife Stadium.
The Giants offensive line was inconsistent, in part due to an absurd amount of injuries. It allowed 39 sacks, the most it has given up since 2004. The running game was 31st in the NFL, rushing for just 1,210 yards, a 3.5 yards-per-carry average and 10 touchdowns.
“Many people want us to say we played terrible and we’re the reason we’re 7-9,” left guard Kevin Boothe sad. “But obviously a lot goes into things. Did we play to the level we expected to? No. Of course not.”
Injuries took a toll. Starters and expected key cogs David Baas (center) and Chris Snee (guard) played in a combined six games, Baas missing time with a neck injury and then knee surgery, Snee shelved after hip surgery that could potentially end his career. Baas’ replacement, Jim Cordle, was lost for the year in late November with a knee injury.
And the injuries kept on coming Sunday, as James Brewer suffered an ankle injury and left tackle Will Beatty fractured his right leg.
The final injury to the beaten-down offensive line was the most gruesome and potentially most devastating.
When Beatty went down in the third quarter, it summed up the maddening year for a group that was never able to develop chemistry or continuity this season.
Beatty’s broken leg, however, may affect next season. While he didn’t necessarily perform as the Giants had hoped, allowing a team-high 13 sacks according to ProFootballFocus.com, he was the team’s left tackle — the most important spot on the line as it covers the quarterback’s blind side. And this was just the first year of a five-year deal with $19 million guaranteed for Beatty.
Depending on the severity of the injury, Beatty could miss minicamp or the start of the preseason.
Yet, the line held up through six different configurations, all the switches and surgeries, helping the Giants win seven of their last 10 games.
“Never giving up is something you can take away from this season,” rookie right tackle Justin Pugh said. “We’re always going to go out there and fight. I’ve never been a part of [an offensive line] where no one’s left [at the end of the season]. It’s a credit to the leaders we have on this team. We stayed out there and fought until the end. It was great to get the win today.”
“We’ve got a lot of pride,” added Diehl, who may retire after 11 seasons, all as a Giant.