Position Battles: Left Guard

If, as written below, David Diehl loses his starting spot to William Beatty, he is not going to sulk and waste away on the second team. He is without a doubt going to compete for another starting spot, and it might actually be a blessing in disguise for the 29 year old. Diehl’s natural position and the position that he played his rookie season is at guard. With right guard being occupied by stud offensive lineman (and coach’s son-in-law) Chris Snee, that leaves left guard, and Rich Seubert.

Seubert and Diehl are perhaps the two toughest players on the New York Giants, and that’s saying something regardless which NFL team you’re discussing. This one would be a drag-em-out, last man standing, blood on the jersey position battle. Seubert demolished his leg in 2003, came back, and has started the previous 3 seasons, including the Super Bowl winning year. Diehl has started at 3 positions on the line, and has mentioned in the last post, has been named a 2nd team All-NFL selection as well as a Pro Bowler. Seubert played all last season with a shoulder injury so severe he needed surgery as soon as the season was over. But Diehl is probably the more skilled of the two.

It’s doubtful the Giants would even consider this battle unless they are sure that Beatty is ready to take over at tackle. But assuming that he shows enough in camp to lay claim to the position, this would quickly shape up to be one of the fiercest training camp battles in the NFL. The middle linebacker race would probably get more attention, but this one would be the most brutal.

When all is said and done, David Diehl would have to be favored. But don’t count Seubert out- people made that mistake after his leg injury, and he has been playing admirable left guard for the team the last three seasons. If Diehl holds off Beatty at the tackle spot, we won’t ever see the result of this battle, at least for another year. But if he does, get ready for a treat.