If Chris Snee feels his body can hold up and the Giants want him back, he can see himself protecting Eli Manning again next fall.
Neither is a given, however, the veteran offensive lineman told The Post.
“Right now, my mind-set is getting my body 100 percent and we’ll see from there,” the offensive guard said at the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2014 Muscle Team Gala & Benefit Auction on Tuesday at Chelsea Piers. “I love the game, I love everything about it. I missed it during the fall, but there’s a lot of factors that go into making a decision. One, we’ll see if I’m wanted and we’ll go from there.”
Snee, a four-time Pro Bowler and the son-in-law of Giants coach Tom Coughlin, was placed on injured reserve Oct. 4, needing surgery to repair a torn labrum and remove bone chips from his right hip. He also underwent elbow surgery in November. He said his hip feels fine, but the elbow is coming along slower.
“I’m recovering well,” said the 31-year-old, who has one year left on his contract. “It’s been a long road. Two surgeries is not something I want to do, particularly during the season. It’s been a difficult fall, winter, but the worst is behind me and I feel really good.”
Without Snee, a mainstay up front, and a variety of other injuries to the Giants offensive line, the unit struggled. The line allowed 39 sacks — the most it has given up since 2004 — and Manning threw a career-high 27 interceptions in a forgettable 7-9 season.
“Obviously, the blocking was nowhere near the standard we’ve set around here for so many years,” Snee said. “When you juggle so many guys, rotate new guys in and out, it’s difficult.
“It was tough, when things aren’t going well, and you’re told you need two surgeries and there is nothing you can do to help.”
Snee said last week’s news offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride was retiring caught him by surprise. He said replacing Gilbride with fired Buccaneers offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan, who was on Coughlin’s staff with the Giants for eight years before going to Tampa Bay in 2012 and is considered the front-runner to replace Gilbride, would be ideal. Sullivan learned under Gilbride and employs the same offense, so there wouldn’t have to be a lot of adjustments.
“He’s a fun guy to be around,” Snee said. “He’s a well-liked man and well-respected man.”